Starting with almost no English at 16, I got into Harvard at 18. My name is Mariia Hnatiuk, and I hope my story motivates others in Ukraine and beyond to chase their dreams — if I can do it, anyone can with enough effort and the right mindset.

My background

I’m from the Bucha region in Ukraine, from a village called Moschun, famously known as the last location where the Russian army occupation operation was stopped in 2022, which I’m very proud of. I grew up in Ukraine and spent my whole life there until 10th grade. I didn’t finish Ukrainian school or get a Ukrainian diploma, but I completed 10 grades — just one left before I left to study abroad.

Academically, I was focused and balanced in school with many extracurriculars. I did a lot of sports since childhood, trying everything from dancing and gymnastics to baseball, martial arts, volleyball, and ping pong — anything I could get my hands on because I wanted to try it all.

Besides, I volunteered a lot. I joined a few NGOs starting around seventh grade and became really interested in activism, volunteering, and studying abroad. That sparked my interest in being part of a community in Ukraine that’s focused on self-development and organizing events. I found this kind of youth activism very unique to Ukraine — when I studied in Georgia, there weren’t as many NGOs or that level of activism. I think the civic society and youth community in Ukraine are truly exceptional.

Aspirations to Study Abroad

The story of why and when I decided to study abroad is actually pretty funny. What sparked my interest was a bit hilarious, though the real motivation became more academic later.

I was watching a TV show called Riverdale, which I loved, especially the cast. I wanted to understand what they said online — on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube — but I couldn’t because I had to translate everything. At the end of eighth grade, my English level was only A1–A2, mostly because I lacked the motivation to learn it. Then I realized I wanted to watch shows in English without translating.

So I started watching shows in the original language with double subtitles, then switched to only English subtitles after about two months. My brain began picking up phrases naturally and trying to think in English. Alongside that, I used academic resources, expanded my vocabulary, studied grammar, and had tutoring. But watching TV in English was the main factor. I even banned myself from watching or listening to anything in Ukrainian — everything had to be in English. That’s where my motivation truly came from.

After that, I started looking for ways to study abroad. I was going to a Ukrainian high school, but couldn’t see myself attending a Ukrainian university or finishing a degree I didn’t want. I became obsessed with studying abroad and discovering opportunities. That’s when I found FLEX and joined their community of passionate Ukrainians wanting to study in the United States. FLEX resonated with me because I was so immersed in American culture and content.

My journey began with FLEX, but I didn’t get in the first year. I spent a year preparing, memorizing 12 essays of 300–400 words each. I was devastated when I didn’t pass the reading test. Still, I decided to try again. The next year, I also applied to UWC and became a semi-finalist for both, but didn’t get accepted.

Journey to Georgia

I applied to a program in Georgia called the Eastern Partnership European School, funded by the EU. I accidentally saw it just one week before the deadline and did everything super fast to apply. It had a few rounds of tests and interviews, but it really worked out.

Why Georgia and the Application Process

I really wanted to study abroad and was looking for a proper scholarship because my family couldn’t afford a private school. I knew there weren’t many opportunities in the U.S. for me since I didn’t have enough achievements yet to get into U.S. boarding schools, so this program was perfect — a chance to study in Europe or Georgia fully funded.

The first round was just submitting an application with transcripts that had to be notarized — no essays, which was very unconventional compared to other applications I had done, like UWC, where I had to write 12 essays. 

The second round had an English test where I wrote an essay in a specific style (like a leaflet or email) on a given topic, and a math test with problems ranging from easy to very hard. You had to reach about 60% to be considered for the next round.

Interviews and Selection

The third round was two interviews: one with the admissions committee and one with a therapist, which was very unusual. The program focuses on Eastern Partnership countries — Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Ukraine — and selects about 30 students total, just a few from each country. The acceptance rate is quite low and getting even tougher now because more people know about it.

Life at the International School of Georgia

I got to study with students from Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. It was the first time I felt truly immersed in such diversity. There were about 30 of us living in a small boarding house, and we were very close.

Everything was covered by the scholarship — accommodation, education, food, resources — so no personal expenses unless you wanted to go out. There was a curfew, like most boarding schools.

We studied the IB Diploma, which is hard but pays off because it’s accepted and well-regarded in Europe and the U.S. When universities see you did IB and look at your classes, they understand you put in a lot of work, not just academically but also in extracurriculars (eg, CAS) and Theory of Knowledge. Being well-rounded really helps with applications, and overall, it was an amazing experience.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program

Subject Package and Teacher Influence

My subjects were Ukrainian Literature, English B, Math AA SL, Economics HL, Biology SL, and Spanish AB Initio. I mostly chose classes based on the teachers because I depend a lot on who teaches me. I wasn’t focused so much on the subjects themselves but more on personal interest and who was teaching. The subjects worked well for me, especially since the school had limited options — no computer science, and only basic social sciences like politics, history, and economics. It was a good introduction to what I might want to pursue in the future.

CAS Activities

For CAS (Creativity, Activity, and Service), I did sports and NGOs I volunteered with. Back home in Ukraine, I earned certifications in traditional Ukrainian martial arts that I practiced. I also submitted my embroidery project — cross-stitch embroidery was a passion of mine, and I even included it in my Harvard portfolio. I loved that project. Besides, I learned guitar for a while, which I put in as well. It’s been two years since I graduated, so I can’t remember all the specifics, but it was a diverse and interesting set of activities.

University Application Process & Programs

After my first year of IB, I got into Ukraine Global Scholars (UGS). Before IB, I was still figuring things out, but I knew I wanted to study abroad. After that first year, I felt confident enough to apply and got in. That’s when my college search and application journey really started. It involved a lot of SAT prep, English tests, and bootcamps — all online due to COVID, which was a bit sad.

I also did Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS), which was very informative and insightful. There’s an application fee that can be waived and scholarships. YYGS offers four sessions; I joined the economics, politics, and law session in summer 2022, also online. The program had speakers and activities from Yale students, which I truly enjoyed and highly recommend.

Ukraine Global Scholars (UGS)

With UGS, you submit university preferences, and they try to avoid placing many students at the same school to reduce competition. They allocate about two or three students per university, knowing many Ukrainians outside UGS apply as well. The goal is to maximize the number of Ukrainians accepted overall.

Applying Early Decision & Risk-taking

At first, I wanted to apply Early Decision and was looking for a risky option rather than a safe one. I got advice to play it safe, but I don’t recommend that — you only get one early application, so it’s worth taking a risk. I was lucky to be accepted by Harvard Early Action since I was done with all the apps after that.

Harvard Application Experience

Initially, I didn’t consider Harvard seriously — it felt way out of my league. I followed resources like a course by Misha Lemesh on the Prometheus platform (UGS co-founder), who applied to Harvard himself. I thought I wasn’t competitive enough. 

But UGS assigned me Harvard, which was unexpected and scary. Early Action means applying to just one school early, so you want to pick carefully.

My UGS mentor, an MIT graduate and lawyer, helped me a lot. She reviewed my essays and gave advice, which was crucial. While you can apply without external consulting and support, having someone else read your essays helps because you can be biased about your own writing.

Researching Fit, Not Prestige

With UGS, you research to find the best fit, not just a prestigious name like Stanford. I researched clubs, activities, and more at about five universities. Since many students want to attend the same schools, UGS allocates students based on who fits where best.

I initially considered UPenn, but crossed it off because I didn’t like its inner competitiveness. I didn’t get my original preferences because UGS thought I had a chance at Harvard and gave me that instead. I was surprised, but I started working hard on my application.

Application Process

I applied only to Harvard through the Common App because I applied early and didn’t get a chance to apply elsewhere.

Extracurricular Activities

I included Horting, a Ukrainian martial art about 13 years old, combining MMA and wrestling. It’s named after the river Hortitsa and a Cossack fort, so it has a deep history. I practiced it when I was home in Ukraine. I also included my involvement in the European Youth Parliament, inclusive soccer with children with limited abilities, and sports like volleyball and table tennis. Other activities were interviewing for ENGin, Model United Nations, embroidery, volunteering, and mentorship in Moonshot Pirates Program.

Personal Statement

One essay was about martial arts, but my main personal statement focused on the war and my experience living in a heavily shelled region during the first week with my family. I described my 10-day journey to Georgia, which normally takes two hours by flight, but stretched across five countries due to the war. I wrote about continuing my studies abroad while worrying about my family in Ukraine. I aimed to make it emotional by “showing, not telling,” engaging senses like sounds and visuals. It took many drafts, but I focused on one core idea linked to my future goals. I believe my admission officer was moved to tears. My key advice: fully immerse the reader, evoke emotions, and keep intrigue in the 600 words to make your story memorable.

Academics & Standardized Tests

I took the SAT but didn’t submit it because of the test-optional period. Instead, I took the Duolingo English test rather than the TOEFL or IELTS. For Ukrainian applicants, it’s recommended to take the SAT plus IELTS or TOEFL to prove English proficiency. I also submitted my IB Diploma predicted scores.

Honors & Awards

I listed the EU merit-based scholarship from the International School of Georgia, Yale Young Global Scholars participation, math Olympiad awards, and other school awards.

Financial Aid

I received 100% need-based financial aid at Harvard, which I’m very grateful for. Harvard raised the automatic full aid income cap from $85,000 to $100,000 family income, which is quite high in Ukraine’s context. After submitting financial documents, my family automatically qualified. The principle is that financial need should never stop you from attending, true for many U.S. universities — over 100 offer full-need aid. Ivy League schools guarantee full aid if you qualify. This took a big weight off my shoulders since I didn’t worry about tuition or living costs, only flights.

My path to Harvard University

Harvard feels like a place you just know exists, and you’d give everything to study there. Whenever I’m on campus, I still get chills thinking, “How did this happen?” It sounds cliché, but I feel like I didn’t choose Harvard — it chose me.

The Interview

Harvard usually offers one interview to about 90% of applicants, filtering out those with less chances. I had a funny experience: after mentally preparing for a week, I had an interview on October 27. Then on December 7, I got asked for a second interview focused heavily on my school since Harvard had never accepted anyone from there before. They asked about the school’s quality, support during the war, and culture — not just about me, but about the school itself.

Meeting the Admission Officer

Later, I met the admission officer who interviewed me. She remembered my personal statement vividly even a year later. Right before my second interview, she told me she was about to meet other officers to decide who from my region gets in — nerve-wrecking but an honor. I waited a week anxiously for the decision.

Why I Chose Harvard

I researched Harvard extensively. It matched what I wanted to study and the kind of community I wanted. I was initially scared of the competitive culture, but found my people here. Cambridge feels like a small town close to Boston, with cozy campus vibes and city opportunities. I loved the professors, classes, and Harvard’s resources to create my own projects. If admitted, I knew I would say yes without hesitation.

The Waiting and Decision

On December 15 , I stayed up late in Georgia, finally logging into the portal, shaking. The acceptance shocked me, and I didn’t believe it for two days. I called my parents at 4 a.m. as promised; they were happy and supported my dream even if they didn’t fully understand the process. Of the five Ukrainians applying from my school, three got into Ivy League schools, and it was surreal.

Experience at Harvard

I came to Harvard after living two years independently, so I wasn’t freaked out like some others who were homesick. Having spent time in Georgia, I was used to being away from home, but the US felt very different. That took some getting used to.

Academically, Harvard was much easier than IB. At IB, I studied nonstop and burned out, but at Harvard, I suddenly had time for extracurriculars and social life. In my first year, I struggled to relax because I felt I had to know everything perfectly. By my second year, I started traveling more and focusing less on studying, inspired by a study showing many Harvard students wish they spent more time on connections and experiences than just GPA.

I took photography classes and explored interests outside my major. I like economics but don’t want to go into finance or consulting, so I wanted to find other passions. I also met incredible people, traveled, and focused on building connections. Now, in my junior year, I’m aiming to find a balance between academics, travel, and social life — a “golden middle” after focusing heavily on academics in my first year and less so in my second year.

Advice for Future International Applicants

Use support

Take full advantage of programs like Ukraine Global Scholars (UGS) or similar organizations. They don’t just help with paperwork—they offer crucial emotional support and encouragement, which makes a huge difference when applying feels overwhelming and scary.

Start early

Begin your essays and application process well in advance. I started my personal statement three months before the deadline, which gave me time to draft, revise, get feedback, and make it truly represent me. Rushing at the last minute makes it harder to create authentic, engaging essays.

Consider the early round of applications

Applying early may feel risky, but it reduces stress later and helps prepare you for regular decision rounds. Even if you don’t get accepted early, the experience is valuable.

Take interviews seriously

If offered, interviews are more than a formality. They are your chance to show the real you and highlight what you bring to the university community. Be confident, authentic, and ready to “sell” your potential.

If You Could Talk to Your Younger Self…

I would tell my younger self to stop doubting my chances so much. When I first heard about programs like FLEX or UWC, I thought they were only for geniuses or extraordinary people. That mindset stopped me from applying to some amazing opportunities. What I learned is that nothing is impossible if you try. It can be hard and requires extra effort, but applying is always worth it. Even if you don’t get accepted, the experience boosts your confidence. I hope more young people in Ukraine stop underestimating themselves and realize these opportunities are for everyone willing to try.

If You Could Change One Thing in the World

I would change the education system, especially in Ukraine. It still follows an outdated Soviet-style model focused on memorization, disconnected subjects, and little motivation or room to explore. In 10th-grade chemistry class, I felt suffocated, even with great teachers. In contrast, my IB experience was empowering because I could choose classes I cared about and explore before deciding on a major. That freedom is rare but vital. Ukrainian students are very smart—our math curriculum is often more advanced than some universities expect—but the system encourages memorization over understanding and creativity. We need an education system that nurtures critical thinking and helps students find their passions instead of forcing early specialization.