My name is Alikseniia. I attended primary school in Bishkek. In the 5th grade, my parents and I relocated to Almaty, Kazakhstan. There, I continued my education at Haileybury Almaty from grades 5 through 13.

My application journey

I always knew I wanted to apply to a university abroad, but I never had a structured plan. In the 10th grade, I began thinking about the application process, specific universities, and my future profession. Around that time, I met a schoolmate who was two years older and was applying to universities. We both were involved in a charitable organization called "ymit.academy," which provided education to underprivileged families and those in need of support. This experience sparked my interest in the application process and project work.

In the 12th grade, I started preparing seriously. I worked on a project named 'Tozbe,' an app designed to help victims of domestic violence. In the 13th grade, I was part of the student body government. Since the 5th grade, I've pursued music. Additionally, I took up figure skating and achieved the title of Candidate for Master of Sports. I also wrote for the school newspaper and taught English and mathematics in various charity projects.

The application process is more long-term than it may seem. It's important to start preparing well in advance, ideally 2 years ahead. While good grades are crucial, consistent involvement in extracurricular activities also matters. The application, essay writing, and interview preparations, though more immediate, still require time and attention. I began applying to British universities in September 2022, submitting applications until October. I started writing essays for the UK in August, giving me ample time for that and entrance exam preparations since I applied for a law program.

For the US, I began submitting applications in December, later than most of my classmates. This gave me just a month to write the personal statement and supplemental essays, a process that differs from the UK approach. However, I'd advise everyone to start earlier, preferably in September, to ensure enough time for the numerous essays US universities require.

Preparing for interviews is a topic in itself. Especially in the USA, interviews focus on showcasing your overall personality. It's less about academic achievements or preparation and more about how engaging you are as an individual. Being curious and able to discuss various topics is essential

College list and my acceptances

I began working on my college list a year before applying, but my initial efforts were superficial. I was merely exploring what universities existed and their locations. However, I started seriously compiling my list the summer before submitting my applications. I researched factors like living arrangements, courses offered, and employment statistics. It was important to me that the university had resources like a career center, as my goal extended beyond education to securing future employment opportunities.

Initially, I focused solely on UK universities because I planned to pursue a legal career, and the UK offered Bachelor's degrees in Law. This would allow me to earn my first degree in my desired field. In contrast, the US doesn't offer a Bachelor's in Law; one must first complete a Bachelor's in another field and then attend law school. Because of this, I initially ruled out US universities.

My decision to apply to US universities was significantly influenced by my college counselor. We had a close relationship, and he treated his students as if they were his own children. He encouraged us to diversify our applications and said, 'Just apply to the USA for me, please.' I took his advice to heart and fully committed to the application process. With only a month left before the deadline, I worked diligently to complete all requirements.

I selected five universities that could facilitate my pursuit of a law degree, possibly even within the same institution. One reason I applied to Harvard was the presence of Harvard Law School. While I'm not sure if being a Harvard student will make it easier to get into their law school later, it will at least provide me with some contacts there. In total, I applied to 10 universities—five in the UK and five in the US Ultimately, I was accepted to the University of Cambridge, London School of Economics and Political Science, and the University of Exeter in the UK, as well as Harvard College and the dual BA program with Columbia University and Sciences Po.

Why I chose Harvard

When I received my acceptances, I faced a difficult decision between Cambridge and Harvard. Cambridge is renowned as one of the best law schools in the UK, while Harvard's reputation speaks for itself. I was torn, so I ultimately based my decision on advice from professionals in the legal field. They told me that employers today value individuals who have not only a strong understanding of law but also expertise in fields like engineering, computer science, or economics. They appreciate well-rounded candidates with a comprehensive grasp of the legal domain.

With this in mind, I realized that Harvard would offer me a liberal arts education, and I would likely major in economics. In addition to economics, I would have the flexibility to choose from a variety of courses. This broader education at Harvard would make me more appealing to employers compared to someone with just a law degree from Cambridge.

Another consideration was employability. Law is a field where your education is often tied to a specific country. If I were to study law in the UK or the US, returning to Kazakhstan would be difficult due to the significant differences in legal systems. Moreover, my student visa would allow me to work in the country for only a year before needing to secure a work visa, which is a challenging process.

If I were to return to Kazakhstan, a British legal education would hold little value, as the demand for such expertise is low. Therefore, studying economics serves as a form of self-insurance. If I were unable to find employment as a lawyer in the US, my economics background would provide a backup, enabling me to return to Kazakhstan and work as an economist.