My Background

Hi! My name is Alba, and I’m from Ourense, Galicia, Spain. I attended a public high school called IES Blanco-Amor Ourense. Unlike many students at my school, applying to U.S. universities wasn’t common, but I always knew I wanted to explore opportunities beyond Spain.

I was fortunate to be part of Aditus, a program that supports high-achieving students from Spain with limited financial resources in applying to U.S. universities. Aditus covered essential costs like exam fees for the SAT and English Proficiency Tests and provided mentorship throughout the application process. Without this program, applying to Yale—and ultimately receiving a full-ride scholarship—would have been much more difficult.

Why Yale and the U.S.?

Since I was young, I dreamed of studying in the U.S. Initially, I was drawn to MIT because of my interest in STEM, but as I got older and participated in debate competitions and programs like the European Youth Parliament, I realized I wanted a Liberal Arts education—one that would allow me to combine multiple interests.

One of the factors that motivated me to apply to U.S. universities as an international student was the possibility of receiving financial aid. While it wasn’t my main reason for applying, it made studying abroad a more realistic option. I knew that if I didn’t get financial aid, studying abroad wouldn’t be an option. Yale is need-blind for undergraduate students, meaning they assess applications without considering financial need and then offer scholarships based on each student’s circumstances.

I applied to Yale through Early Action, which was a risk, but it was the best decision I ever made. On December 14th, I opened my admissions letter and saw the word "Accepted." That moment changed my life!

My Major

At Yale, students don’t have to declare their major until their second year, but I came in knowing I wanted to study Computer Science. After my first semester, I decided to double major in Political Science as well, since I discovered my passion for technology, policy, and ethics.

One of the things I love about Yale is its interdisciplinary approach. We are required to take courses in Humanities, Social Sciences, Languages, and Sciences, allowing us to explore different fields beyond our major. This has given me the opportunity to step outside of STEM and gain a broader, well-rounded education.

My Stats

I applied to Yale with:

• High School GPA: 10/10 (Spanish grading scale)

• SAT: 1470

• English Proficiency: Cambridge C2 Certification (instead of TOEFL)

Since my school didn’t have a history of students applying to U.S. universities, I had to take a lot of initiative in preparing for these exams and structuring my application. As I said before, Aditus really helped me during this process.

Application Process and Helpful Resources

Unlike Spanish university applications, which are based solely on grades, the U.S. admissions process is holistic. This means that beyond academics, universities evaluate essays, extracurricular activities, recommendations, and personal achievements.

When I was researching how to apply to U.S. universities, Borderless was a huge inspiration for me. My For You Page on TikTok was constantly filled with videos of students reacting to their college decisions, sharing their stats, and giving tips about U.S. applications. That’s when I came across Borderless for the first time—specifically, a video of a student talking about how she got into NYU as an international student.

Seeing people who had successfully gone through the process motivated me to apply and reassured me that it was possible for international students like me to get into top universities. Borderless provided me with so many helpful insights, making the whole application process feel less overwhelming.

Essays & Writing Process

The Common App required me to write multiple essays:

• Personal Statement (Main Essay): I wrote about my experience as a woman in STEM—how I was often the only girl in my robotics and programming classes and how that shaped my desire to pursue a career in tech while advocating for gender inclusivity.

• Yale-Specific Essays: These included short-answer questions about my academic interests, personal inspirations, and community involvement. For the longer Yale essay, I wrote about my efforts in Galician language preservation, since the language is at risk of disappearing.

Writing these essays took months of work. I started drafting my Personal Statement in June and finalized it in August. Since English isn’t my first language, I had to be extra careful to ensure my true self shined through!

Extracurriculars and Leadership Experience

Since my application was STEM-focused, I structured my extracurriculars around Computer Science and Applied Physics:

• Artificial Intelligence Research Project: Conducted research in collaboration with a Galician university on neural networks and AI.

• Robotics Club: Participated for several years and competed in the FIRST LEGO League, reaching the national finals and winning a national award.

• The Knowledge Society (TKS) Program: A global program focused on scientific discovery, entrepreneurship, and emerging technologies. My project was centered on Quantum Computing, which has now become my main academic interest.

Beyond STEM, I was also deeply involved in linguistic and cultural advocacy:

• Galician Language Preservation: As part of my school’s linguistic normalization committee, I organized recitals and cultural events to promote the use of the Galician language within my school community.

• European Youth Parliament: Served as the Head Organizer for a regional conference in Galicia and represented Spain at an international session.

• Science & Philosophy Conference: Co-organized a university-level conference on the relationship between science and philosophy.

Also, I was active in my high school’s Student Council, helping organize events, leading graduation ceremonies, and assisting with library initiatives.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

I am on full financial aid at Yale.

When applying, I submitted a CSS Profile, which evaluates a student’s financial situation. Since Yale is need-blind for undergraduate students, my scholarship was determined after I was admitted.

The process was extensive, but 100% worth it. If you’re worried about the cost of studying in the U.S., don’t let it stop you from applying. Many universities offer generous financial aid, and you never know until you try.

How It’s Going

Yale has exceeded all my expectations. The workload is demanding, but being able to combine STEM with social sciences makes the challenge worth it.

Outside of classes, I’ve joined several student organizations that I like to spend my free time with:

• Yale Model United Nations: Competing in national conferences, including one at Harvard.

• Quantum Computing Club: Continuing my research in Quantum Cryptography.

• Yale College Council (First-Year Representative): Organizing events and initiatives for first-year students.

• Theater Production: Working on a bilingual play in Galician and English, written by a Yale PhD student from Galicia.

One of my favorite things about Yale is its clubs. With over 500 (no exaggeration!), they have not only allowed me to discover new interests but also helped me make amazing new friendships!

Plans After Graduation

It’s still early to make a final decision, but right now, my goal is to pursue a PhD in Quantum Computing. I love research, and I see myself continuing in academia before deciding whether to enter the industry. However, one of the best things about Yale is that it keeps expanding my horizons—so my plans might change over time!

Advice for Future Applicants

1. Apply! If financial aid is your concern, remember that schools like Yale offer incredible scholarships. If you don’t apply, the answer is already no.

2. Start early. Use the summer before your final year to draft essays and take the SAT.

3. Be authentic. Admissions officers want to know who you are, not just your achievements.

Applying to Yale was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done—but also the most rewarding. If you’re considering studying abroad, go for it!