Background and High School
I'm from Rahim Yar Khan, a city in South Punjab, Pakistan. I attended Army Public School & College System (APSACS), where I completed my FSc Pre-Medical under the FBISE curriculum.
Deciding to Study Abroad
I wanted access to world-class education, research opportunities, and a learning environment that encourages critical thinking and innovation. Studying abroad also allows me to bring back new knowledge and skills that can help improve healthcare in Pakistan.
Choosing the United States
The United States offers outstanding universities, strong undergraduate research opportunities, and a flexible education system. I chose the U.S. because it aligned with my academic goals and the opportunities offered through my scholarship.
Choosing the University and Program
I chose the University of Wisconsin–Madison because of its strong reputation in healthcare education, research, and student support. Receiving the King-Morgridge Scholarship made it possible for me to attend without financial barriers. I'll begin in the pre-nursing track before applying to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, while also exploring research opportunities.
Academic Stats
FBISE FSc Pre-Medical: 997/1100 (90.6%), equivalent to a 4.0 GPA.
Ranked in approximately the top 3.2% nationwide.
Extracurricular Activities
- Founder & President of my school's Health Club
- Led a mental health awareness campaign that gathered over 500 petition signatures and reached more than 600 students through seminars.
- Organized an anti-drug awareness campaign with over 60 student volunteers.
- Conducted a cardiac health survey involving more than 200 adolescents.
- Served as a peer tutor and class representative.
College Essay Topics
My essays focused on growing up in an underserved community, witnessing healthcare challenges firsthand, and creating initiatives to improve health awareness in my school. I wrote about leadership, resilience, and my goal of returning to Pakistan to contribute to improving healthcare access.
Application Timeline and Process
I spent several months preparing. I researched universities, scholarships, and financial aid policies first. After creating a balanced college list, I worked on essays, activity descriptions, recommendation letters, and financial aid documents while keeping track of deadlines with spreadsheets.
Resources Used in the Application Process
I relied on university websites, admissions webinars, YouTube, Common App resources, Reddit discussions, College Essay Guy articles, and guidance from mentors. I also connected with current students whenever possible.
Using Borderless in the Application Process
Borderless helped me understand scholarship opportunities, compare universities, and hear directly from international students who had already gone through the process. Reading real student experiences made the application journey much less overwhelming.
Scholarship and Financial Aid
I received the King-Morgridge Scholarship, a full scholarship for international students. It covers tuition, housing, meals, health insurance, books and supplies, and provides a living stipend. The scholarship required a separate application.
Without the scholarship, the estimated annual cost of attendance is around US$60,000–76,000, depending on housing and other expenses.
What Applicants Should Know About Admissions
Admissions are much more holistic than many students think. Strong grades matter, but your essays, leadership, initiative, and personal story can make a huge difference. Don't underestimate the importance of authentic essays
