My Background

I am Tigran. I was born in Ijevan, Armenia, a two-hour drive north of Yerevan, in the Tavush region. I grew up in both Ijevan and a nearby village called Achajur. For high school, I went to Ijevan Lyceum, a regular public school. That’s where it all started.

Why I Chose Studying Abroad? Why the U.S.?

To be honest, I didn’t start out with a big dream to study abroad. But going to the U.S. was always in the back of my mind — a kind of childhood dream from watching movies and TV series. Still, it didn’t feel realistic at first.

Everything changed when my mom encouraged me to apply to a U.S. federally funded program called the Competitive College Club — 11 months of intensive college counseling and preparation. That’s where I realized: it’s not impossible to get accepted to top universities abroad — even from a small-town public school in Ijevan.

Once I saw the opportunity, I decided I had to take it.

I chose the U.S. in particular because most of the top 50 universities in the world are based there — aside from maybe Oxford and Cambridge. Also, in Armenia, to get a military service deferral for education, your university has to be in the top 50 globally. So it made sense.

Why Berkeley? + other options I had

I was genuinely scared I wouldn’t get accepted anywhere, so I applied to over 20 universities. My dream school was Princeton — I got rejected. Then came UCLA, which was my top choice after that — rejected again.

Funny enough, there are a lot of UCLA rejects at Berkeley, and vice versa. It’s just how it works.

Ultimately, I got into about 9 or 10 universities, including NYU, Northwestern, Johns Hopkins, University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, and University of Minnesota. But I chose UC Berkeley — because it was the highest-ranking university I got into.

I didn’t get the chance to visit any campuses (like U.S. students often do), so I based my decision purely on research and rankings. And I’m glad I chose Berkeley. The Bay Area, San Francisco, and the campus vibe — it just feels right.

Doing Pre-Law with a Major in Political Science

Pre-law isn’t a formal major in the U.S. — it just refers to the track of preparing for law school. Technically, any major can be pre-law, even art or design.

I’m majoring in Political Science, which is one of the most popular majors for pre-law students. Right now, though, I’m not making firm plans. I’m actually leaning more toward doing a Ph.D. instead of going to law school because it makes more sense when I go back to Armenia rather than a J.D. (Judicial Doctorate), which is needed to practice law in the U.S.. My decision needs more consideration. There are still two more years till I graduate, so I have time. 

Stats

I took the IELTS and SAT. I prepared for IELTS by taking the bus to the capital (YVN) and back twice or thrice a week, because we did not have an IELTS tutor in Ijevan. My SAT score was okay overall, but I had a low score on the English section, so I didn’t submit it to any schools. Luckily, most U.S. universities were test-optional at the time — and many still are.

As for GPA, I started working really hard in 12th grade. Since I didn’t have access to AP classes or IB diplomas like students in US-based or elite schools, I worked closely with my teachers — asking for extra assignments, making sure my academic record stood out.

Almost all of my final grades were 10 out of 10.

Essays and Recommendation Letters

Writing essays was crazy intense. I used to stay in school until 11 p.m. or even midnight, sitting with my college counselor and writing essays line by line. I needed that push, honestly. It’s so easy to get distracted — especially in your final year of high school.

There’s not usually a specific way U.S. colleges want essays to be written. But they search for something for sure. To make that search easier, you’re not supposed to tell your entire life story. Each essay answers a specific question, like one about leadership, where you should share a particular moment that highlights your skills.

Be precise. Be specific. Not vague or philosophical. Use real stories.

Extracurricular Activities

Where do I begin? Since first grade, I’ve been involved in dance school, then went to music school, where I learned to play guitar — that was a nice touch in my application.

I also tried a lot of sports:

• Karate (for half a year — yes, I included the diploma!)

• Wrestling

• Swimming

I have no idea if admissions committees look at each one of your achievements, but they definitely don’t hurt.

What I think mattered most was my community involvement. I participated in almost every NGO in our region, like Red Cross Armenia and Infotun. We did projects ranging from river pollution awareness to loneliness among the elderly to youth leadership. That’s especially relevant for someone applying to political science, but it’s important regardless — to show that you’re active and engaged beyond academics.

Because you can have a perfect 4.0 GPA, but if you never leave your house? That will most likely not be enough.

Funding

This part was rough.

As a public university, UCs don’t offer financial aid to international students. Still, I took the risk and accepted my Berkeley offer — then started applying to every Armenian scholarship and funding source I could find.

I applied to The Huys Foundation, Azarian Foundation, AGBU, individual donors, banks, and corporations. I got rejected a lot. And I mean A LOT. But I didn’t stop. At some point, I even sent a personal letter to the Prime Minister of Armenia explaining my situation and achievements. And it worked — I secured most of my funding from the government, and the rest from scholarships and individual donors.

I managed to cover my first year, and I’ve been repeating the process each summer since then. It’s not easy, but it’s possible.

Student Life at Berkeley

I love it now — but the start was really hard.

My visa got rejected the first time. It was approved 10 days later, but that delay meant I arrived late to campus. I missed orientation, welcome tours, and yes — I never got my Berkeley welcome bottle or merch!

When I arrived with two giant suitcases, no one greeted me. I had no idea where to go. I ended up asking a girl nearby to borrow her phone, and she helped me figure it out — she was Russian, by the way, so at least we had some language in common.

I was lucky to have a great roommate who introduced me to his friend group. Still, it was hard to adapt at first. I hadn’t spoken English since taking the IELTS months earlier. So I was speaking with a mix of hands, feet, and facial expressions.

But when you’re immersed in the environment, you adapt. You have no other choice.

I didn’t know what to expect from student life in the U.S. — culturally, socially, academically. But I learned. And I tried to keep my Armenian identity, too. I joined the Armenian Students Association in my second semester, and I’ve met a ton of Armenian students on campus. Overall, there are about 200 Armenians at Berkeley in total.

Most of my daily life, though, I spend with my friends from my dormitory.

Plans for the Future

Right now, I’m not planning too far ahead. I might go to law school, or I might pursue a Ph.D. The decision depends on how each option will serve me best when I go back to Armenia. I prefer to stay focused on the present because if you’re thinking about the very uncertain future too much, you will miss literally everything that happens with you right then and there in the moment. That is hard to do sometimes–yes–but I am convinced that being in the present is the correct way to live your life. Of course, this does not mean you should leave your future to chance. Careful planning is useful; overthinking it—no.

Advice for International Applicants

• Ask for help. Don’t be ashamed or afraid to reach out. It’s completely normal not to know everything — especially when you’re navigating an unfamiliar education system from another country.

• Don’t hesitate to contact universities. Many admissions offices are open to helping applicants with essays, financial aid, and general questions. Use that resource — it’s there for you.

• Be persistent. You might face multiple rejections — from scholarships, programs, even embassies — but don’t let that stop you. Keep going. Keep applying.

• Know your value. You’re not an outsider “trying to get into” American universities — you’re part of the same applicant pool. You belong there as much as anyone else.

• Use globalization to your advantage. Today, thanks to the internet and international programs, students from places like small villages in Armenia can get into top global universities. Those opportunities are for you, too.

• If it feels right — take the risk. Whether choosing a top school with uncertain funding or flying to a country you’ve never seen — sometimes, the risk is worth it. It was for me.