My Background

Hi! My name is Claudia, and I’m from Teba, a small town in Málaga, Spain, with only 3,000 inhabitants. In my town, studying abroad (especially in the U.S.) was practically unheard of.

I attended three different high schools. I completed ESO (secondary school) in my hometown before receiving a scholarship from AFS to study one year in Warsaw, Poland, where I attended a Polish high school and lived with a host family. It was a huge challenge since I didn’t speak a word of Polish when I arrived. For my final year of high school, I returned to Spain, but since my town didn’t offer a Baccalaureate program, I had to attend a school in a nearby town.

That year in Poland was an unforgettable experience for me. I arrived without knowing the language and left fully fluent, even graduating with honors. Living in another country also reinforced my passion for cultural exchange, languages, and global perspectives—something that later influenced my decision to study in the U.S.

Why Yale and the U.S.?

I always knew I wanted to pursue higher education beyond Spain because I wanted more opportunities and a different learning experience. At first, I considered universities in the UK and the U.S., but American universities stood out to me because of their Liberal Arts education model.

In Spain, once you choose a degree like Medicine, you can’t take unrelated courses, but in the U.S., I could explore multiple subjects beyond science—including my love for languages. That’s why this flexibility was exactly what I was looking for.

My Major & Academics

I’m currently studying Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at Yale. My goal has always been to study medicine, but since U.S. medical schools don’t admit students straight from high school, I decided to major in biology in preparation for medical school.

At Yale, students can also pursue Certificates (similar to minors), so I’m specializing in French. Languages are a huge part of my life—I’m fluent in Spanish, English, French, and Polish, and I love being able to continue developing this skill alongside my science degree. In the near future I plan on learning both Chinese and Russian!

My Stats

High School GPA: 9.7/10 in Baccalaureate (11th grade in Poland and 12th grade in Spain)

Duolingo English Test: around 130+ (equivalent to C1 level)

I didn’t take the SAT, I applied for the test-optional.

I would say the special thing that made my application stand out was my experience studying in Poland. Moving to a foreign country, learning a completely new language, and graduating with top honors showed my capability of adapting, persevering, and cultural awareness, which are qualities U.S. universities really value.

Application Process

Applying to U.S. universities is nothing like applying in Spain. Since I had no idea how to approach U.S. applications, I joined Aditus, a program that helps high-achieving students from Spain to apply to U.S. universities. Thanks to them, I had financial support to cover exam fees and access to mentors who guided me through the entire process.

I first heard about Aditus when I was already interested in studying abroad, and without their help, I probably wouldn’t have applied at all, so I’m extremely grateful for their support!

Essays & Writing Tips

Yale requires multiple supplemental essays, each asking something different. In my application, I focused on two main themes:

Languages & Cultural Immersion – I wrote about my experience in Poland, learning Polish from scratch (since it was the only way I could communicate with my host family), and embracing new cultures.

Environmental Work – I talked about my projects in marine conservation, where I helped clean up beaches by scuba diving to remove trash from the ocean floor.

My main advice for essays is to always show who you are, your essay should feel personal and unique to you, make it engaging by asking yourself, “Would I stop scrolling if I saw this on TikTok?” If not, rewrite it! And something that really helped me is to read other essays – I found it helpful to look at sample essays online to understand the tone and style. And I caught inspiration from them as well.

I know some friends who got into Yale with essays like about ketchup, so don’t be afraid to write about something unconventional if it truly represents you!

Extracurricular Activities & Leadership

One of my most meaningful experiences during my exchange year was working as a Teaching Assistant for Spanish during my year in Poland. I visited different schools across Warsaw, assisting teachers in Spanish lessons, organizing cultural activities, and helping Polish students gain a better understanding of Spanish language and traditions. 

I was also passionate about environmental conservation, particularly marine protection. As part of a project in Tarragona (Spain), I led a scuba diving beach clean-up initiative, where I worked with a team of volunteers to remove waste from the ocean floor. 

In addition to these activities, I was involved in family care and community service. I frequently helped take care of my younger cousins and grandparents, which taught me responsibility, patience, and the importance of supporting loved ones. I also dedicated time to volunteering in local community organizations, where I assisted in various initiatives aimed at helping those in need.

As I already mentioned before, one of my proudest achievements was receiving a highly selective national scholarship to study in Poland from AFS. This scholarship was a prestigious opportunity awarded to only one student from Spain, and it allowed me to immerse myself in a completely new culture while continuing my education abroad. 

Life at Yale: Classes, Research & Clubs

One of the things I love most about Yale is its Liberal Arts model, which allows students to explore a wide range of subjects beyond their major. Unlike in Spain, where university programs are highly specialized, at Yale, I have the flexibility to take courses in multiple disciplines. Before graduating, I have to complete two courses in writing, humanities, social sciences, sciences, and quantitative reasoning. This interdisciplinary approach allows me to challenge myself in areas outside of my primary focus in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. While the workload is intense, I appreciate the opportunity to broaden my education and engage with diverse fields of knowledge.

Beyond academics, Yale offers endless opportunities for extracurricular involvement, and I’ve taken full advantage of them. One of my proudest accomplishments has been co-founding the Yale Spanish Club with other Spanish students. We created this club to build a sense of community among Spanish-speaking students and to celebrate our culture. Also, I joined the Figure Skating Club during my first semester, and I now serve as Treasurer, helping to organize events and competitions.

My passion for medicine extends beyond the classroom, and I actively volunteer in hospital settings as a Spanish medical interpreter, helping doctors and Spanish-speaking patients communicate effectively. I also participate in PALS Tutoring, where I tutor children in math and English, and contribute to a Toy Drive for Pediatric Oncology, where we create care packages for children in hospitals.

Balancing academics with extracurricular activities can be challenging, but being involved in these clubs and volunteer programs has made my university experience even more fulfilling. Through them, I’ve met incredible people, gained valuable leadership experience, and had the chance to give back to the community in meaningful ways.

Financial Aid & Scholarship

One of the best things about Yale is its need-blind admissions policy, meaning your financial situation does not impact your chances of being admitted. Once accepted, the university evaluates your financial need and provides aid accordingly. 

I was fortunate to receive a very generous financial aid package, which covers most of my costs. While it’s not a full-ride, it really reduced the financial burden, making my education much more accessible, which I’m extremely grateful for. Some of my friends have received aid packages that cover tuition, housing, meals, health insurance, and even a winter clothing stipend for students coming from warmer climates! 

Plans After Graduation

My ultimate goal is to become a doctor, but after thoroughly researching the medical school system in the U.S., I’ve decided that pursuing my medical studies in Europe is the best path for me. The structure, cost, and accessibility of medical education in Europe work better with my aspirations and circumstances!

Since I already speak French, France is one of my top choices. The country has a well-regarded medical education system, and studying there would allow me to integrate more easily both academically and culturally. Also, I’m already planning to spend a semester abroad at the University of Paris-Sorbonne this summer, where I’ll be able to immerse myself in the language, academic expectations, and the overall environment of higher education in France. I’m excited about what lies ahead!