My background

Hello! My name is Cecilia Marmori, but most people just call me Ceci. I’m from Paraguay, a small country in the heart of South America. I grew up in Hernandarias, a city right next to Ciudad del Este, which is known as Paraguay’s business capital

My city is proudly known as the energy capital of Paraguay and even of South America because it is located near the Itaipu Dam, the largest hydroelectric dam in the world.

For my highschool I attended a standard Paraguyan school with standart cirriculum. My school was half public and half private.

Reasons to study abroad

Education in Paraguay is often considered a privilege rather than a right, as only four or five out of ten students complete high school. Coming from this background, my parents have always reminded me that education is one of the most powerful tools in the world.

I’ve always enjoyed challenging myself and pushing beyond my comfort zone. The process of applying abroad is already a major challenge, but it’s one that will teach me new perspectives, cultures, and possibilities.

Application process

During my application process, I decided to take a risk and focus only on the United States. I made the decision to study abroad at the end of my junior year, but I began my application journey at the end of my senior year. I decided to take a gap year to fully dedicate myself to the college application process because I knew it would require all of my time, energy, and focus. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

One of the turning points in my journey was being accepted into the Opportunity Funds Program by EducationUSA Paraguay, a U.S. Department of State initiative that supports high-achieving international students with limited financial resources. The program helped cover the upfront costs of applying to U.S. universities, which my family simply couldn’t afford on our own.

Thanks to their support, I was able to begin a journey that once felt almost impossible. The EducationUSA Paraguay advisers were like angels to me, truly. They guided me every step of the way, demystifying a complex process and constantly reminding me that I wasn’t alone.

Why Notre Dame?

When I first started learning about U.S. universities, my first love was Harvard. I saw it as the symbol of American education. But as I began to research more deeply and understand the unique cultures of different colleges, I discovered my dream university: the University of Notre Dame.

Paraguay is known as a deeply Catholic country, and my family and I are devoted Catholics. When I learned about Notre Dame and how deeply Catholic values are rooted in its campus culture, I knew it was the place I was meant to be. From that moment on, I was determined to get in.

I was also exploring the whole curriculum, and one of my favorite parts about Notre Dame is how it offers summer courses even before starting university. What stood out to me most is its strong focus on the liberal arts and the idea of becoming a force for good in the world. At Notre Dame, students are required to take philosophy, theology, and other liberal arts classes. While these might seem time-consuming at first, I believe they truly push you to think critically, reflect on your life as a whole, and consider how your work can contribute to the world.

What really drew me to Notre Dame was the strong sense of community. I didn’t want to feel like just another student passing through; I wanted to be part of something that actually feels like home. I remember hearing from a student that if you say ‘Go Irish’ anywhere in the world, and someone replies ‘Go Irish’ back, you instantly know they’re from Notre Dame. And just like that, you're not strangers anymore, you are a family at Notre Dame. That really stuck with me. It’s not just a university thing; it’s a family thing.

I come from a culture where we look out for each other, celebrate together, and lift each other up. Finding a school where that same spirit exists? That made all the difference.

My stats

• GPA-5/5

• SAT-Optional

• Duolingo English Test- 130

Extracurricular Activities

I’ve participated in several different activities, and I’d love to share one of my favorites and the experience behind it.

UGA Ambassadors Program in Paraguay

This is an exchange program that combines cultural learning with community-based projects. It’s a fully funded opportunity that allows participants to travel to the United States, and once you return, you’re expected to create a community project in your home country.

For my project, I decided to create the first organization in my city focused on youth leadership and personal development. I called it “Devalet”—a word from the Prawain language that means you are able, you are capable. We led activities centered around cancer advocacy and helped organize fundraisers.

I also held workshops on leadership, how to create your own personal development projects, and how to excel in your studies. I remember working with psychologists who supported our efforts to raise awareness about self-esteem and mental health. In Paraguay, mental health among young people is a serious so I made it my mission to take that issue into my own hands and make a difference.

Hernandarias Symphonic Orchestra

Music has played a huge role in shaping the way I think, feel, and connect with others — especially through Paraguay’s national instrument: the Paraguayan harp. (Yes, my country has its own instrument!)

When I was just 15, I had the incredible opportunity to represent Paraguay as the only harpist in the Hernandarias Symphonic Orchestra. One of my favorite memories was touring Brazil and Uruguay, where we performed for crowds of over 20,000 people. After the shows, people rushed up to us asking for autographs, taking photos, and even having us sign their T-shirts and notebooks. For a moment, we felt famous like likeTaylor Swift ( just 15-year-olds living a dream on a giant stage)

But behind that moment of fame was years of discipline, long practice hours, and a deep love for my harp. I also hold a professional Paraguayan harp degree: the Profesorado Superior de Arpa Paraguaya. In Paraguay, this is equivalent to a university-level degree. It’s a nationally accredited program that allows me to teach and work full time as a professional Paraguayan harpist and music educator.

What made this journey even more meaningful was that our orchestra is affiliated with Sonidos de la Tierra, a national organization that connects music with social and environmental action. So we also organize clean ups and teach people how to take care of our land.

Being a Catechist at Sunday school

One of my favorite activities has definitely been teaching Sunday school. I taught over 40 kids, ages 4 to 10, sharing Catholic and biblical lessons in a way that was fun and engaging. We painted, danced, sang, and played while learning about the beauty of our church.

I think this experience helped me connect deeply with Notre Dame’s values of service, community, and faith. What makes it all worthwhile is when I see one of my students spot me outside the chapel and run over shouting, ‘Profe Ceciii!’ Their hugs, kisses, and excitement remind me that all the hard work is worth it.

I love working with kids, and I admit I spoiled them a little with candies, gifts, games, and lots of laughter but they remembered everything: how to pray the rosary, the ten commandment,s and the biblical lessons I taught them! That shows that learning can be joyful and meaningful at the same time. 

STEM activities

I’ve been passionate about STEM for as long as I can remember, though I only realized it at 14. As a curious kid, I used to imagine myself as a world-renowned scientist, turning my backyard into a fancy lab filled with the best equipment, at least in my imagination. I also tried to fix things at home, often failing spectacularly (and sometimes making things worse).

Growing up in a small town far from Paraguay’s capital, STEM education opportunities were limited. I quickly learned that if I wanted to be involved in STEM, I had to seek out or create those opportunities myself.

I was honored to be selected for two international Latin American programs focused on developing tech solutions for environmental and social challenges. The first was Protagonistas del Futuro by Chicas en Tecnología in Argentina. I was the only Paraguayan in my cohort! Alongside five brilliant girls from Peru and Argentina, we created Americlaje, an app designed to promote proper plastic waste management and teach recycling techniques.

The second was Academia Ciencia Jóven by Ciencia Jóven in Chile. There, I collaborated with three peers from Chile to develop EcoChangemakers, an app that guides users on managing organic waste correctly.

In 2022, I was selected as a scholar by the New York Academy of Sciences, joining the Junior Academy and the 1,000 Girls, 1,000 Futures cohort.

My passion extends deeply into climate action. Since 2023, I have been an active member of the Red de Jóvenes para la Acción Climática en Paraguay, working to promote environmental education across my country. Paraguay is one of the most biodiverse nations in the world, but climate change is threatening that richness, and awareness is still growing. Within the network, I have led workshops, represented the group in educational spaces, helped organize the Climate Academy for aspiring members, and contributed to the Youth Leaders for Climate Change Summit in Paraguay.

I also served as one of the coordinators for Paraguay’s Local Conference of Youth (LCOY). At first, I joined as a participant, but I fell in love with the work they do, so I became part of the team.  I led workshops for over 80 participants, managed event logistics, supported participants throughout the process, and helped craft Paraguay’s national climate statement. Additionally, I had the honor of being Paraguay’s YOUNGO Focal Point, representing my country in international climate dialogues with youth leaders around the world.

For me, STEM is more than just fixing things or solving equations. It helps me to understand and analyze the world deeply in a way to think critically and creatively.  This mindset has shaped who I am not only as a student and applicant but as a person committed to making a meaningful difference.

At Notre Dame, I’m excited to expand my knowledge and access opportunities I once only dreamed of. Studying at one of the top universities in the US will allow me to engage in research, develop impactful projects, and pursue internships that prepare me to contribute to real world solutions. I’m determined to make the most of these four years to grow as a scholar and as a changemaker.

Personal statement

Honestly, writing my personal statement was a kinda crazy experience for me.  I drafted so many versions (and I mean many) I tried with all the Common App prompts. At one point, I even wrote about my collection of pony toys and how each one reflected a part of me. I wrote about my passion for STEM, starting from when I believed I was a world-renowned scientist in my backyard lab. But none of those drafts felt quite right. They were good, but something was missing.

Then one Sunday morning, I woke up missing my grandfather, who passed away in 2022. He was the one who introduced me to the Paraguayan harp. That morning, a strong urge to write about what I was feeling took over.

I sat down and started writing my personal statement, and finished it within an hour. I wrote about my harp: how my grandfather first introduced me to it, how I used to see myself as a harpist whenever Paraguayan harp songs played on his radio. I shared how the harp has shaped who I am, carrying the melodies of both my happiest and saddest moments. It became more than an instrument, a way to connect with others and offer help.

I finished my statement one week before the deadline, definitely not something I recommend. I like to believe my grandpa helped me write it. He gave me the inspiration and strength I needed, just as he always does. Though he’s no longer physically present, I feel him with me in the 38 strings of my harp.

Advice for future applicants

• Here’s my advice for anyone tackling the college application process: be disciplined, organized, and committed. Procrastination is your worst enemy; this process is hard and demands your full focus. Discipline will make you stand out way more than talent alone. 

• Stay organized, too. There are tons of deadlines and moving pieces, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. What worked for me was block scheduling: setting dedicated time to work on applications, study for the tests, building weekly checklists, and tracking everything. That structure kept me grounded.

• Take care of your mental health! There’s life outside of the application, and forgetting that can cost you more than just energy; it can take away parts of yourself. During the process, I stepped away from the orchestra and stopped playing the harp. At first, I thought it was a necessary sacrifice… but eventually, I started to feel incomplete. Like I was achieving something big, but losing something even bigger in the process. Don’t do that to yourself. Stay connected to what fills you. Take breaks. Rest is not a weakness; it’s part of the process.

• Find your people. The ones who remind you you’re more than an application. For me, that was my Opportunity Funds cohort. We cried, stressed, celebrated, and supported each other through every draft, every step, every deadline. My EducationUSA advisers were like my angels, too, my second family. And please, talk to your family and friends. Let them into your process. Even if they don’t fully understand the process, their emotional support matters because you may need a shoulder to cry on many times. My family and friends were always there, cheering and supporting me with all their hearts.

• And here’s something that might surprise you: demonstrating interest can make a difference. I remember reading that Notre Dame doesn’t officially consider ‘demonstrated interest’ in admissions decisions, but I say, why not do it anyway? I reached out multiple times to my regional admission officer (the very person who read my entire application and admitted me). After I was accepted, she even sent me a handwritten letter mentioning how much she appreciated my curious emails and couldn’t wait to meet me in person. So my advice? At least if you’re considering Notre Dame, reach out to your regional admission officer with thoughtful, smart, and specific questions that can’t just be Googled. Showing genuine interest in the university leaves a lasting impression.

• And finally, a friendly reminder: you’re doing great. This process can feel overwhelming, and sometimes you’ll wonder if it’s worth it. It is. So give it your best, stay grounded in your ‘why,’ and no matter what happens, I fully believe all your hard work is going to pay off. Maybe not in the way you first imagined, but in the way you most need.

Scholarship

• I received a need-based scholarship from the University of Notre Dame that covers my tuition and fees, housing and meals, health insurance, and other essential costs. 

• Beyond that, I was selected as one of 80 incoming first-year students to join the Mary E. Galvin Scholars Program, a community of students with a strong interest in STEM. It provides mentorship, academic support, and the chance to grow alongside peers who are passionate about using STEM to make a difference.

• I was also chosen for Notre Dame’s Transformational Leaders Program, which supports first-generation and underrepresented students through leadership development, community building, and access to personalized resources.