High School

Before attending one of the United World Colleges, I had the opportunity to study at a boarding school in my home country, Rwanda. It was there that a teacher introduced me to the UWC movement and encouraged me to apply. The rest, as they say, is history.

Why did I want to Study Abroad? & Why CWRU?

Studying outside of Rwanda has always been my dream. Hearing wonderful stories from people who had the opportunity to study abroad and the valuable lessons they learned during their time away, such as responsibility, has fueled my desire. The doors that an international education can open are also incredibly appealing and exciting.

CWRU's admissions officers visited our school several times, providing a comprehensive introduction to the university. Additionally, CWRU's widely respected engineering program aligns perfectly with my intended major and field of study. The university's location in the United States was another factor that led me to choose it as my top choice. As one of UWC's partner schools (Davis Scholarship), CWRU offers scholarships specifically for graduates from the United World Colleges. Beyond financial considerations, Case is also known for its remarkable diversity.

Stats

SAT: I applied test-optional.

For the English Proficiency Test, Case waived this requirement for me because I was a UWC student, and my IB predicted grade in English was sufficient. However, I still ended up taking both the Duolingo English Test and the IELTS exam for other colleges.

As for my IB Predicted Scores:

Chemistry Higher Level: 6
Biology HL: 6
Psychology HL: 7
English B Standard Level: 6
Math AA SL: 7
Theory of Knowledge: C
Self-Taught Language: Unfortunately, we were never given a predicted grade for self-taught language.

Main Extracurricular Activities & Essays

At UWC Costa Rica, the full IB curriculum used includes extracurricular activities known as CAS (Creativity & Sustainability, Physical Activity, Social Service & Community, and Getting to Know Costa Rica) embedded in it. Here are my main ECs:

CASfeteria: This activity focused on regenerative food systems and traceability. We learned how to adopt more sustainable eating habits and also educated others about these practices.
Basketball: I was a member of the school's unisex basketball team, which allowed me to stay active and connect with fellow students through sports.
Digital Art: In this activity, I honed my skills in designing projects, particularly event posters for the school. It was a creative outlet that allowed me to express myself visually.

As for my Common App essay, it revolved around my tumultuous and challenging journey from Rwanda to UWC Costa Rica. It was a very emotional experience filled with valuable lessons.

The Process

My school counselors played a major role in guiding me through the application process. They assisted with writing my personal statement, completing the Common App, and structuring my college list. Since the school limited us to only applying to ten universities worldwide, careful consideration was required. The college application journey was lengthy and hectic, spanning about six months. I began building my college list during the second semester of my first year of IB.

I applied under the early decision plan to Case Western Reserve University. Additionally, I submitted an early action application to Northwestern University, but unfortunately, I did not receive an acceptance there.

Financial Aid

My financial aid award from CWRU essentially amounts to a full ride. The award includes the Davis Scholarship, On-Campus Employment, Optional Loan, and the University Grant. As for application fees, my full scholarship to attend UWC covered all the fees I incurred during the college application process.

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Notes

To the next set of college applicants, I understand that it's not an easy journey—it's extremely tough. From my own experience, I encourage you to be authentic and show the admissions officers who you truly are and why you'd be a great fit for their institution. Put in the effort, and everything will fall into place in the end. You've got this!

If you are a current UWC applicant, I wish you all the best. If you have the opportunity to attend one of these colleges, remember to be confident. When you arrive, you'll meet incredible people who may become your lifelong friends, and you'll have experiences beyond your wildest dreams.

Be true to yourself, embrace your uniqueness, be friendly, stay open-minded, savor the moment, and spread kindness!