My name is Aliya, and I am from Taraz, Kazakhstan. I graduated from the Nazarbayev Intellectual School of Physics and Mathematics in Taraz, and I will be starting my undergraduate studies at Bocconi University in Milan, Italy.
I will be studying International Economics and Management, a program that combines business, economics, and an international perspective. For me, Bocconi felt like the kind of university where I could study what I was genuinely interested in while also being close to real career opportunities in Europe.
Why I Decided to Study Abroad
The idea of studying abroad came to me around ninth or tenth grade. I was always inspired by the idea of receiving an education in another country, experiencing a different culture, and testing myself in a new environment. I felt that studying abroad could become a life-changing experience, and I knew that I wanted to try.
At first, my dream was the United States. It may sound a little traditional, but like many students, I had this “American dream” in my mind. However, when I entered senior year, I started considering other options more seriously. I applied to the U.S., China, Dubai, and several universities in Europe, including Italy.
Eventually, Italy became one of the best options for me.
Why Bocconi University?
Bocconi stood out to me for several reasons. The first one was obvious: its academic reputation. Bocconi is one of the strongest universities in Europe for business, economics, and management, which directly matched the field I wanted to study.
However, rankings were not the only reason. I was also attracted to the culture of Italy and the atmosphere of Milan, especially because the city is closely connected to international opportunities. Bocconi’s employment rate also impressed me: around 94.5% to 96% of graduates find employment within one year after graduation. For me, that showed that the university could offer great career prospects.
Another important factor was the alumni network. Bocconi has graduates in more than 100 countries, which showed me how international and connected the university is. I thought that kind of network could be useful for my future.
For my specific major, Bocconi also seemed to offer opportunities I would not easily find elsewhere. Students can start exploring internships early, and many professors are not only academics, but also people with real professional and business experience. That was important to me because I wanted to study economics through practical examples and connections.
Academic Profile & Application Process
I applied to Bocconi during the winter session and received my result in March. Compared to some other application systems, the Bocconi application itself was not extremely complicated.
Bocconi does not require the same type of personal essays or motivational letters that many U.S. or European universities ask for. Instead, Bocconi focused mostly on academic factors, such as GPA, English proficiency, standardized testing, and CV.
My GPA was 5.0, and my IELTS score was 8.0. I also submitted a standardized test result as part of my application, since Bocconi requires applicants to submit either an external test or Bocconi’s own entrance test.
What Mattered in My Application
Since Bocconi does not require any essays, I think the CV became one of the most important parts of my application. It was the section where I could show who I was beyond grades and test scores.
In my opinion, a strong application is not only about one part. Good grades, test scores, and extracurricular activities should support each other and create a complete picture. For Bocconi, academics are very important, but your CV can still help you stand out.
The strongest part of my profile was that my activities were connected to economics and research. I think applicants should try to make their profile feel coherent. When an admissions committee looks at your application, it should be clear what field you are interested in and why your experiences support that direction.
Extracurricular Activities
One of the most meaningful parts of my high school experience was my research journey. In eleventh grade, I won first place at the National Scientific Project Contest by Daryn in the economics section. I was deeply interested in my topic, continued researching it, and later published my work in academic journals.
Another important achievement was winning in the International Economics Olympiad, where I received a perfect score in the Finance part. For me, these achievements were mainly part of a broader interest in economics and business.
I also participated in several international STEM programs during high school (including AFS Global STEM Accelerator by UPenn CSIS) and had the opportunity to conduct research with a professor from Carnegie Mellon University, Mark DeSantis. That experience helped me grow academically and also gave me a recommendation letter, which I added to my application as an optional document.
Another important experience was Enactus. I joined it in tenth grade, and it became one of the turning points in my high school journey. Seeing so many students creating projects and trying to solve real problems inspired me a lot. After that, I became more certain that I wanted to be someone who actively contributes and creates impact in my community.
Balancing Academics and Applications
My senior year was extremely intense. I had a perfect GPA and was also a candidate for Altyn Belgi, which meant that I had to maintain excellent grades not only for the year, but also across terms.
At the same time, I was applying to universities, preparing documents, writing essays for other applications, working on research, and preparing for exams. I tried to finish most of my major extracurricular activities before senior year, and I think that helped a lot.
One thing that saved me was starting early. Before senior year, I had already applied to several summer programs and internships, so I had experience writing essays and explaining my story. Later, I could use that experience when writing university applications.
Looking back, I think one of my mistakes was trying to do everything at once. I wanted to succeed everywhere: academics, exams, research, applications. But in reality, you cannot focus on everything equally. You need to prioritize certain activities over others.
Financial Aid & Documents
Getting into Bocconi was not the hardest part. Preparing documents for scholarships and financial aid was much more difficult.
Bocconi offers different financial aid options. One of them is Bocconi4Access, which can cover tuition. Another option is ISU, which is connected to Italian financial aid and can cover more expenses, including tuition, housing, and additional support.
The challenge is that the timeline is very short. After receiving my admission decision in March, I had only about a month to prepare documents for financial aid. Many documents had to be translated into Italian, apostilled, legalized, and submitted before strict deadlines.
This process can also be expensive. Translation, legalization, and apostille fees add up quickly. Another difficulty is that some documents take weeks to prepare, and not everything depends on you. Public services have their own timelines, so applicants need to start early. In my case, I applied for Bocconi4Access.
For future applicants, I would advise preparing financial aid documents even before receiving the final admission result, especially if you think your chances are strong. Otherwise, there may not be enough time.
Looking Forward to Bocconi
Even before the semester begins, I have been exploring the concrete opportunities that Bocconi offers beyond the classroom. The BIEM program provides a strong quantitative and international foundation, but I want to complement that with real-world exposure from the very first year.
One of the first things that caught my attention is the Bocconi&Jobs career fair, which takes place every autumn and spring. I have already looked through the list of participating companies, and I plan to attend with a clear strategy: target consulting and investment banking firms like BCG and Goldman Sachs, which actively recruit BIEM students for spring weeks and summer internships. These early programmes are designed for first‑ and second‑year students, so I intend to apply as soon as applications open.
At the same time, I am looking forward to courses taught by professors who combine academic excellence with industry connections - for instance, Professor Francesco Giavazzi, whose work on monetary policy and European economics I have been reading. His recent research on the non-linear effects of fiscal policy and the conditions under which fiscal contractions can actually be expansionary particularly fascinates me. I would be eager to propose a joint research project exploring how fiscal consolidation programs affect economic growth differently across Eurozone countries depending on their initial debt levels and institutional frameworks - essentially testing whether the "expansionary austerity" hypothesis holds in the post-pandemic European context. I hope to attend his office hours to discuss this idea and explore how I could contribute to his ongoing work at IGIER, the research centre he helped to establish.
If I Could Do Something Differently
If I could go back, I would prioritize better.
One of my biggest mistakes was spreading my attention across too many things. I tried to complete extra courses, start new research, prepare for exams, maintain my GPA, and apply to many universities at the same time.
Before application season begins, students need to define their priorities clearly. You should know which universities matter most, which tasks are urgent and what can realistically be done with the time you have.
Another thing I would tell myself is to stay connected with people. During stressful periods, it can feel like you are going through everything alone, but you are not. Talking to others and asking for help can make the process much easier.
Advice for Applicants
My biggest advice is to start early. You may think you have a lot of time, but once senior year begins, everything moves very quickly. Schoolwork, applications, essays, and deadlines all come at the same time.
For Bocconi specifically, pay close attention to deadlines and documents. The application itself may not be too difficult, but the financial aid and visa process can be very bureaucratic. Prepare documents early, check official requirements, and do not assume that you will have enough time later.
I would also advise applicants to build a coherent profile. Your achievements should not feel random. They should show what field you are interested in and how you have explored it over time.
Finally, trust the work you have already done. I know the application season feels like a marathon - there were days when doubt crept in, and giving up seemed easier. But looking back, every essay, every test, every sleepless night brought you here. That journey matters. So when the pressure mounts, remember: you are not starting from scratch - you are building on everything you have already achieved. Keep your eyes on your goals, and do not let temporary setbacks overshadow the progress you have made. You have earned your place - now go and prove it to yourself and others.
