My Personal & Academic Background
Hi, my name is Makhmudjon Gaffarov, and I live in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Until my senior year, I studied at Turon International High School and then transferred to Thompson International High School for my final year.
The main reason I chose to study abroad is the world-class education. Compared to local universities, foreign institutions offer more study abroad opportunities and stronger career support after graduation. Additionally, a second major motivation is the chance to meet international students and build global friendships. Furthermore, NYUAD stands out as the most diverse university, attracting talented students from all corners of the world. I am also deeply passionate about learning about different cultures, which is why NYUAD is my top choice.
I began thinking about studying abroad in 9th grade and was already involved in extracurricular activities before researching universities.My GPA is 4.95 out of 5, my SAT score is 1570, and my IELTS score is 7.5.
I did not use any specific agencies or platforms for my applications, the only resources I used were the CollegeBase.org website and YouTube podcasts featuring NYU students sharing their experiences.
Why NYU in Abu Dhabi?
There are three main campuses of NYU located in major global cities: New York, USA; Shanghai, China; and Abu Dhabi, UAE. Among them, my top priority was the Abu Dhabi campus, as the UAE is widely recognized as one of the safest and most rapidly developing cities both economically and educationally. Second, compared to other campuses, NYU Abu Dhabi offers generous financial aid to international students, making it one of the most affordable and optimal destinations for a quality education. Apart from the UAE, I also considered Qatar, but my primary focus was always on NYU. Since childhood, I have always wanted to visit the UAE and its major cities, such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Regarding the cost of attendance, the university awarded me a full financial aid, which covers tuition fees, housing, health insurance, food, books and supplies, travel support—including flight tickets—and a personal stipend for special needs.
NYU Abu Dhabi has a selection process called “Candidate Weekend,” the final step of the application. I was invited during Early Decision I, and all expenses were fully covered. We stayed at a five-star hotel. The purpose of this event is to meet applicants in person, observe their behavior, and assess their knowledge more closely. Additionally, we had interviews with professors who asked about our reasons for wanting to study at NYU Abu Dhabi and how we would handle challenges if they arose during our time at the university.
My Extracurricular Activities & Common App
I built a well-rounded profile with a wide range of extracurriculars—about 15 in total—which I listed on my Common App. These included three research papers(one self-published and two completed under the guidance of PhD mentors), as well as two internships. I also have a background in acting, having appeared in films, commercials, and TV series. Beyond that, I run an Instagram page where I create educational content, founded several school clubs, and worked as an SAT/IELTS tutor helping students prepare for exams. I’ve also been involved in chess and football. Another activity was an online sneaker store, which I launched when I was 13, and it became profitable.
When it comes to my personal statement and supplemental essays, they were mainly about my family and my friends. In my personal statement, I wrote about a problem in my family and how I navigated the challenges I faced during those difficult times. My supplemental essay was about my classmates from my previous school. There, I had friends from rural areas of Uzbekistan, Egypt, and other countries—none of whom could speak each other’s language. As they were all from various backgrounds, there was a language barrier, and it was hard to communicate and build connections. Therefore, in my essay, I included specific details and examples of how I helped them connect and make friends.
Final note to students planning to study abroad
My top suggestion to students who want to study at top universities is to start early. It’s very crucial because I know many people who were excited to apply to their top dream universities but were rejected due to starting their applications too late. Some of them hadn’t taken their IELTS and SAT exams yet and took them just two weeks before the deadline, which led to unexpected or unsatisfactory results.
Another important point is to include as much detail as possible about your life, school, and experiences. I made a conscious effort to share everything that could help admissions officers understand who I am beyond the basic sections of the application. I used the additional information section, which many applicants overlook, to provide extra context and even include activities that didn’t fit into the Common App’s limit of 10 extracurriculars.
Some students worry that they lack opportunities or resources due to their circumstances, and they often focus on that as a disadvantage. But this doesn’t mean you’ll be rejected. Admissions officers evaluate your application in the context of what was available to you. What matters most is how you used your opportunities. If you made the most of what you had, you can even stand out more than someone who had many opportunities but didn’t take full advantage of them.
Last but not least, I advise everyone to be confident and believe in themselves. If you apply with the mindset that you will be rejected, you’re less likely to achieve your goal. For instance, I applied to universities other than NYU, but I had more confidence that I would get into my dream university. Although having confidence doesn’t mean blindly believing you will definitely succeed, it’s about trusting your efforts and having backup options as well.
