Early Life and Education

I was born in a village near Sheikhupura, in a place called Kalla Virka. That’s where my roots are, where my forefathers lived, and where the foundation of my family’s story lies. My father moved us to Lahore because he wanted something bigger for me and my sister. He wanted us to have access to the kind of education he never had. For that decision, and for every sacrifice he has made since, I will always remain grateful.

Soon after we moved to Lahore, my mother began pushing me toward a bigger dream. She wanted me to study at Aitchison College, one of Pakistan’s most prestigious institutions. I still remember the little blue table where I prepared for the entrance exams. My mother would sit beside me, giving me worksheets, reading lessons, and late-night tutoring sessions. My father, too, played his part. He would bring me small toy cars as incentives for every set of exercises I completed. That combination of discipline, love, and encouragement carried me into Aitchison, where I would study for the next eleven years of my life.

Academic Performance: O-Levels

Academically, I always held myself to high standards. At O-levels (9th-10th Grade), I sat for nine subjects in which eight of them mandatory, and one additional subject, French. My results were eight A*'s and one A in French. In terms of GPA, you could call it the equivalent of a perfect 4.0. I had been disappointed that French fell short of an A*, despite scoring A grades in all components. I even went for a recheck, but the result stood. At the time, I thought it was a failure; now I see it as a lesson in humility. Overall, those O-level results gave me the confidence that I could aim for the very best institutions in the world.

Academic Performance: A-Levels

A-levels were a very different experience. The environment at Aitchison was rich with opportunities. I participated in a lot of what my school had to offer: debating, riding, sports, poetry. However, the sheer competition and intensity made it easy to lose focus. I underestimated the importance of steady preparation and left too much to the last minute. By the time I truly focused, I only had weeks before my exams. Despite this, I managed to pull myself together, and in my AS and A2 results (which is the equivalent of 11th and 12th grade), I scored two As and two Bs. I had initially aimed higher, but given the turbulent exam years—COVID disruptions, predicted grades, and later exam cancellations due to political unrest around our campus—I accepted these grades.

While two As and two Bs might seem modest compared to my O-level record, they were still strong enough to keep me competitive in the UK system, especially since universities evaluate students holistically through the UCAS platform.

Choosing My Path

The bigger challenge during A-levels wasn’t only academic. It was personal. My mother had always dreamed I would become a doctor. She had invested years of energy and late nights in my education, and I carried a sense of responsibility to fulfill her dream. But deep inside, I felt drawn elsewhere. I had always loved debates, history, and political philosophy. I grew up reading Jinnah, Iqbal, and Bhutto. These were my nation's leaders who had studied in the UK and left their mark on history. Even though I was arguably more "talented" in the sciences, securing A*'s in my O Levels, they didn't speak to me like the social sciences did.

The Application Journey

Applying abroad meant navigating UCAS, the UK’s university application system. Unlike the American Common App, UCAS focuses heavily on academics. You have five university choices, and your grades, teacher recommendations, and one personal statement carry most of the weight.

In my case, my application was unusual because I was switching tracks—from science to social sciences at university. To strengthen that story, I asked my O-level history teacher for a recommendation, since he could testify to my analytical and writing abilities in ways my A level teachers could not. 

Crafting My Personal Statement

The personal statement was, without question, the most important part of my application. In 500 words, I had to justify not just why I wanted to study at LSE, but also why I was moving from the sciences into social sciences. 

I began by explaining my intellectual curiosity. I wrote about how, despite excelling in science, my deepest interest always lay in debates and history. I wrote about reading Iqbal and Jinnah, about how their time in the UK had shaped them, and how their writings had influenced my own worldview.

Next, I focused on conviction. I highlighted my leadership roles and my debating career at Aitchison, explaining how those experiences gave me skills in critical thinking and problem-solving. Even though I was a science student, I showed how my extra curriculars reflected my real strengths.

Finally, I emphasized contribution. I argued that I wanted to study political science, public policy, and philosophy not just for myself but to bring those perspectives back to Pakistan. I made it clear that I wanted to learn from the best professors and students at LSE, but also to add value to that community with my own background and experiences.

It was not easy condensing years of experiences and motivations into 500 words. I had to leave out entire sections of my extracurricular record to focus on the few points that truly explained my transition. But in the end, I felt I had told my story honestly.

UCAS Offers

I submitted my UCAS application in January, listing five universities. Four of them responded quickly with offers, but my top choice, The London School of Economics, remained silent for months. I still remember the day my offer finally arrived. It was the morning of my A-level chemistry exam. Seeing the acceptance email from LSE felt like all the sacrifices finally were worth it. That single moment remains etched in my memory as one of the happiest of my academic life.

Out of the five universities I applied to, I received offers from four. Only one, the least preferred choice that I had included just to fill my final slot, did not accept me. In other words, I was admitted to my top four choices, which reassured me that despite the ups and downs of my A-levels, my academic record and application were strong enough. Still, it was always LSE or nothing for me. My father and I had agreed that if I was to go abroad, it would only be for the very best. LSE represented that.

Finances and Sacrifice

Getting into LSE was only half the battle. Financing the degree was another challenge altogether. The UK is not cheap, and I received no financial aid. My father rearranged his life to make it possible, moving things around and making sacrifices that I never asked of him but that he chose willingly. In return, I made my own promise: if he was sacrificing for me, then I would live simply, budget carefully, and commit myself to making his sacrifice meaningful.

Looking Ahead

When I look back now, I see my life as a series of sacrifices: some made by my parents, some made by me. But I also see it as a journey of persistence and faith. My O-levels showed me the heights I could reach. My A-levels humbled me and reminded me of the unpredictability of life. The application process taught me that academics are important, but so are conviction and clarity of purpose.

Education, for me, has never been just about grades or prestige. It has been about courage, sacrifice, and the belief that even if you stumble, even if circumstances aren’t perfect, you can rise again and keep walking toward your dreams.

This is my journey—from a small village in Sheikhupura to the halls of the London School of Economics. And it is only just beginning.