Hi! I'm Rafael, a 20-year-old from Colombia who is passionate about medicine, technology, and how both fields can improve lives. I graduated from high school in 2022 and have been focused on building a path where I can connect science, innovation, and community impact.

Why Minerva University?

When I started thinking about my future, I realized that studying biomedical engineering in Colombia would be difficult because it was only offered at a few private universities, and I couldn't afford it. I decided to explore international options where scholarships were available. I applied to universities in the US, Europe, and Asia. Although many people recommended starting the application process two years early, I had to move faster. I graduated from high school without knowing exactly what to study, or where, and with only a basic level of English. But in just five to six months, I improved from A2 to C1.

In 2023, I applied to about 20 universities. Some accepted me with partial scholarships, but the financial aid wasn't enough. So, I decided to give it another try, and in 2024, I focused on finding schools that matched my profile better. That's when I found Minerva University. At first, I just created an account, filled out the basic info, and didn't expect much. I was tired of the application process at this point. However, after learning more about Minerva's academic model, the professors' backgrounds aligned with my interests, and the university's focus on personal growth and global citizenship, I realized it was the kind of place where I could develop myself not only as a student but also as a young adult ready to make a broader impact. That motivated me to complete and submit my application.

My Stats

Academically, I had a GPA of 3.84 on a 4.0 scale. I also took the Duolingo English Test and scored 130. I took the SAT as well and scored 1350, but I chose not to send it because I felt my other materials better represented my abilities. Beyond academics, much of my personal development came from the experiences I pursued outside the classroom.

My Extracurriculars

My extracurricular activities started early. When I was eight, with the support of my computer science teacher, I helped introduce LEGO-based activities into my school's curriculum. We later founded the first robotics and research club, where we built prototypes focused on solving problems within our school and local community. Our club participated in multiple local and regional competitions in a span of 8 years, consistently achieving first to third place.

A few years later, I started tutoring students in Math, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Many of the students I worked with had grades between 3.5 and 3.9 on a 5.0 scale. After our sessions, most of them could raise their grades above 4.5. I continued tutoring for two years, seeing it as a way to support others academically and to share the learning strategies that had helped me.

In my final year of high school, I also led donation drives through my church, collecting food, clothing, and school supplies for families in need. That same year, I was elected personero—the equivalent of student body president in the US—by more than six hundred students. In that role, I worked to create a discussion system that strengthened communication between students and the administration, helping both sides find common ground and solutions.

After graduating, in 2023, I earned a 90% scholarship to join Print4Help Bionics, a biomedical startup based in Mexico, by placing among the top 50 students in the 2023-2 cohort. During my time there, I focused on creating personalized mechanical prostheses and developing brain-Arduino interfaces using Python, especially for children who needed adaptive support.

Building on that experience, I joined research projects at Universidad Autónoma del Caribe and Oniris ID, an engineering solutions company. At Universidad Autónoma, I contributed to projects focused on eco-friendly materials for 3D printing for an eye prosthetic. At Oniris ID, I supported literature reviews and research efforts related to biomaterials and technological innovation. Through these initiatives, I also helped to secure funds and partnerships with four healthcare institutions so the projects could go to production scale.

In 2024, I was selected to represent Colombia at HISA Youth Dialogue 2024, an event organized by HISA in Budapest, Hungary. During the conference, I spoke about the challenges facing institutions in the Global South when it comes to higher education access and the importance of strengthening international collaboration in STEM between Latin America, Africa, and other regions.

Alongside these experiences, I conducted an independent research project in immunoengineering, where I proposed a novel hypothesis exploring current and future directions in the field. The project earned second place in the International Immunology Research Competition organized by BioMedizone. Later, my research was published in the International Journal of Science Education.

Currently, I continue to grow my research skills as a Junior Researcher at Universidad Autónoma del Caribe, where I contribute to projects at the intersection of biomedical engineering, sustainability, and education.

My Main Essay

In my Personal Statement, I shared how my curiosity for books, LEGO, science, and understanding how the world works began at a very young age. Over time, that curiosity shaped my passion for biomedical engineering. I reflected on the moments when my questions or ideas were dismissed with phrases like, "That's not in the book" or "That's not part of the curriculum." Instead of letting those reactions discourage me, they motivated me to build what didn't exist yet. That mindset led to projects like the robotics club I helped co-found.

Looking back, I realize that a constant in my journey has been following my interests with persistence, supporting others in exploring theirs, and moving forward even when the next step wasn't always clear.

Resources I used

During the application process, Borderless was a key source of support, especially for refining my essays and understanding how my profile aligned with different universities. I also connected with current students through LinkedIn to hear about their experiences firsthand and watched YouTube videos where students shared advice about their application journeys. Taking these small but steady steps made a big difference in building my confidence along the way.

Minerva Application Process

At first, I was nervous about Minerva's Challenges, especially the math and reading sections, because I didn't know what to expect. I thought they would be very complex, but they turned out to be enjoyable, even with the pressure of the time limit. I remember one task involved writing about how you would handle a group agreement that wasn't respected, which made me reflect deeply. Another part of the application was proving my extracurricular activities through certificates or photos, which helped show the real work behind my resume.

Financial Aid

Minerva’s financial aid is based on each student's demonstrated need. They provide a scholarship, offer student employment opportunities to help cover additional costs such as travel visas and living expenses, as well as access to private student loans if necessary. The aid package I received fully covers my tuition, housing, and a portion of my student fees, covering approximately 93% of my annual cost of attendance. As a result, my final family contribution is roughly equivalent to one semester’s tuition at a private university in Colombia. This support made a significant difference and helped make this opportunity possible for me.