My name is David Chege, but most of my friends just call me Chege. I was born and raised in Eldoret, Kenya, and in 2021, I graduated from St. Joseph’s Boys High School-Kitale, a public national school known for its academic rigor. 

Why I Chose to Study Abroad

For me, studying abroad was about more than academics. It meant exposure to a global network and diverse cultural experiences that are somewhat difficult to experience back home. Additionally, I wanted to challenge myself in a new context and grow both intellectually and personally as I prepared myself for a career in the medical field.

I was really drawn to the liberal arts model in the U.S. I loved the idea of being able to explore different interests without being forced to specialize too early. I was also fascinated by the emphasis on critical thinking, academic writing, and undergraduate research.

When it came to choosing a school, Amherst stood out immediately. I did a lot of research, attended virtual info sessions, and found myself deeply drawn to the school’s open curriculum, the Five College Consortium, and its tight-knit community. It just felt like a place where I could thrive. I ended up applying early decision, and when I got in, I knew I had made the right call.

My Stats

I graduated as the valedictorian of my class and ranked 4th nationally in the 2021 KCSE exams, with a mean score of 87.104. I also took part in many extracurriculars during high school and my post-grad year. These are what I submitted:

1. Academic Captain, Chavakali High School, 2017, 2018 (Grade 10, 11)

   • Responsible for students’ academic welfare, organized academic activities, reviewed exam schedules, ensured adherence to class timetables, and introduced Saturday lessons.

2. Captain in charge of Grade 11 and 12, Chavakali High School, 2018, 2019 (Grade 11, 12)

   • Responsible for senior students' welfare, acted as a link between the students and the administration, chaired class meetings, and worked with teachers to draft timetables.

3. Chairperson; Co-founder, Swahili Club 2017, 2018, 2019 (Grade 10, 11, 12)

   • Composed speeches and solo verses; trained students for national competitions; Best in Swahili solo verse (2018, National Music Competitions)

4. Mathematics Representative Form 4, St. Joseph’s Boys Kitale 2022 (Grade 12)

   • Acted as a bridge between students and the math department, worked with low-performing students to improve their performance, and coordinated group activities. 

5. President; Founder, Undungu Project, St. Joseph’s Boys Kitale 2022 (Grade 12)

   • Introduced interclass peer study groups that enhanced academic collaboration and teamwork in the school; group work was introduced into the curriculum.

6. Volunteer Teaching Assistant, St. Joseph’s Boys Kitale (PG)

   • Taught mathematics and sciences remedial classes; advised students on exam preparations, their academic progress, and personal development.

Honors and awards

1. Emerged in position 4 out of 831,026 candidates in the KCSE National Examination, 2022. (National, Grade 12)

2. Best Student, Trans Nzoia County, KCSE 2022 (Regional, Grade 12)

3. Position 1 overall in the Elites Joint Examinations 2022 out of 12,017 participants. (Regional, Grade 12)

4. First Prize, Kiswahili Orals Junior Category; Chavakali High School National Jopo la Kiswahili Contest. (National, Grade 10)

5. Student of the Year Award; Annual Prize Giving Day, St. Joseph’s Boys Kitale, 2022. (School, Grade 12)

The Application Process: KenSAP and Collective Growth

After high school, I applied and was accepted into KenSAP, a college counseling program that supports high-achieving Kenyan students applying to colleges in the U.S. and Canada. Joining KenSAP was a turning point. None of us really knew how the college application system worked, so we went through everything together.

All successful applicants, who were 21 people, lived together in a camp in Eldoret, where we worked on preparing for our college applications. We became a family, sharing anxieties and celebrating each other’s wins.

I started preparing for my applications in June. That is when I did my school research, attended college info sessions, and started to work on writing a compelling college essay. By November, I was all ready and set to submit my early decision application to Amherst.  

I structured everything with a personal planner and the support of my KenSAP mentors and peers. Having people around who were just as committed really helped me stay grounded.

Scholarships and Aid

I’m on the Koenig Scholarship at Amherst College, which is offered to at least 5 students from Africa or Latin America each year. It’s a full ride—covering tuition, room, board, and everything in between. 

Tips for others

• Start early and give yourself time to revise.

• Tell your story honestly and don’t try to sound like someone else.

• Don’t overthink prestige. Find schools where you’ll thrive.

• Balance academics and leadership; both matter.

• Get feedback, but don’t lose your voice in the process.

• Key lesson: You don’t need to be perfect; you need to be authentic. Admissions officers can tell when your story is real. Also, don’t underestimate the power of small wins; even if you don’t win national awards, consistent effort and growth shine through. 

Arriving at Amherst

I’d be lying if I said my first week in the U.S. was smooth. I was jet-lagged and confused, and Amherst felt eerily quiet because most students hadn’t returned from summer break. One of my funniest (and most frustrating) moments was walking into a barbershop and being told they didn’t take walk-ins. I had to wait two weeks to get a haircut. I genuinely considered flying back home right then.

But orientation helped. I made friends—mostly other international students at first—and things started to get better once classes started and the campus came alive.

Additionally, I serve as a teaching assistant with the chemistry department and have also worked as a lab assistant in the Jaswal Lab, which focuses on investigating the kinetics and thermodynamics of protein folding, gaining insight into how molecular behavior affects protein function and diseases. Outside academics, I am a member of the Club Rugby and the sailing club. Over the weekends, enjoy volunteering at a nearby soup kitchen to help prepare and serve meals.

Life Now

Right now, I’m majoring in Neuroscience. I’m a residential assistant for 28 first-years, where I mentor, organize wellness events, and support their academic and mental health journeys. I also work as a teaching assistant in the chemistry department and have worked as a lab assistant in the Jaswal Lab, which focuses on investigating the kinetics and thermodynamics of protein folding, gaining insight into how molecular behavior affects protein function and diseases.

Outside academics, I’m part of the Club Rugby and the Sailing Club. I volunteer at a local soup kitchen on weekends. Balancing everything is not easy, and trying to figure everything out during my first semester was so overwhelming. I had to deal with adjusting to the new culture, managing my schoolwork in a different curriculum, and also building a social circle and exploring the different opportunities offered by the school.  As time went by, things started to smooth out. I use a planner, schedule downtime, and don’t hesitate to go to office hours (Amherst professors are always available to have a chat time with a student, whether in the official office hours or at a different scheduled time). Part of this is due to the small class size allowing professors to have close and meaningful interactions with the students. There is a strong culture of collaboration among students, so you're never doing it alone.

Making Friends and Finding Community

The first step is putting yourself out there by attending events, joining clubs, and starting conversations. People are friendly, but it helps to be proactive. Also, don’t limit yourself to people from your background. Diverse friendships are a huge part of the experience. My first group of friends were the international students, particularly from Kenya, but as time goes by, I have found myself with friends from different states and parts of the world.