Hi! My name is Paulina Carbonell, I’m from Guatemala, currently attending American School of Guatemala, and I’ll be attending Columbia University this fall as part of the Class of 2029. I’ve always dreamed of studying abroad, and Columbia has been my dream school since I was 13 years old (before I even knew what an Ivy League school was). I’ll be majoring in Political Science with Economics, and I’m beyond excited to start this new chapter of my life in New York City.

Why I Chose to Study Abroad 

Growing up in Guatemala, I always knew I wanted to study outside of the country. The education system here isn’t the strongest, and as someone who’s always been passionate about politics, I realized that pursuing a political science degree in Guatemala (where corruption is widespread) could even be risky. I wanted access to world-class education, research opportunities, and a safer environment to study what I love.

I became interested in Columbia when I was around 13 (I actually discovered it because I learned that President Obama had gone there!). After exploring their website, I completely fell in love. The idea of studying in the heart of New York City, at a university with a strong political science program and a focus on research, was everything I dreamed of. Columbia has been my dream school ever since.

I was also selected for Columbia’s Scholars Program, the university’s honors program. Out of 2,200 admitted students, only 100 are chosen. The program gives access to exclusive research opportunities, speaker events, and more. I feel so grateful.

My Application Journey

In Guatemala, we have two academic calendars: the national system (January to October) and the international one (August to June). I originally wasn’t in an international school, but I earned a scholarship to attend one, which gave me access to college counseling and resources for applying abroad. I used the Common App and applied Early Decision to Columbia.

I received support from my college counselor, although I still had to figure a lot of things out on my own, like the CSS Profile, which, funny thing, I only found out about through TikTok!

My Stats

• GPA: 99.15 out of 100 (weighted, including AP classes)

• SAT: I didn’t submit my SAT since Columbia was test-optional, and my superscore wasn’t very strong (~1250)

• English Proficiency Test: Duolingo English Test – 150/160AP Courses: I took a total of 11 APs during high school: 3 in Grade 10, 4 in Grade 11 & 4 in Grade 12.

My Extracurriculars & Awards

In high school, I always thought about pursuing activities that genuinely excited me, not just what I thought would “look good” on a college application. 

One of the highlights of my high school experience was leading an initiative called Creating Change, our school’s art club. We hosted monthly themed exhibitions that addressed social issues, and I was part of it since grade 9.

I was also part of Cadena, a humanitarian service organization originally rooted in the Jewish community but open to everyone. With Cadena, I served as the treasurer, and I helped assemble hygiene kits and organize aid efforts for underserved communities. 

As for storytelling and media, I got involved in The Buzz, our school’s digital newspaper on Instagram, where I serve as the co-leader. We report on school events through reels, stories, and engaging posts, and we’ve grown our audience to over 2,000 followers.

I was also the Secretary of the National Honor Society, which gave me the chance to coordinate academic and community-based initiatives with other driven students. Also, I joined Nova Club, our school’s astronomy group!

Honors and Awards

• AFS Connect Certificate: Completed a selective University of Pennsylvania program focused on global citizenship and leadership

• Coursera Certifications: Took the initiative to complete two certified courses in my areas of interest during the summer

• School Scholarship Award: Received a full scholarship to attend my high school, based on merit and academic promise

• AP Scholar Award: Earned recognition for passing five or more AP exams

• Distinguished Honor Roll: Consistently maintained a GPA above 95%, earning top honors each academic year

My Personal Statement

My essay was about my love for writing letters. I wrote about how I started writing letters in pre-K and how it became a way for me to connect with others. However, I always hated writing Mother’s Day cards, my mom passed away when I was three, and I had very few memories of her.

Then, when I turned 13, my sister gave me a letter that my mom had written to her back in 2009: a Valentine’s note that mentioned me and how much she loved me. That was the moment I realized my mom also loved writing letters. It was this unexpected emotional connection between us that I never knew existed.

Columbia Supplements

Columbia has several short supplements, including a list of media (books, music, films) that inspire you. While some people include super “academic” content, I made my list personal. I included everything from memoirs and albums to YouTube videos about octopuses (I’m obsessed with them!). I also mentioned David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust album because it tells a story, and I love narrative-driven content.

Another supplement asked why I wanted to attend Columbia, so I talked about my interest in urban universities, research, and a professor I admire, Dr. Casillas, who wrote about modernizing the U.S. voting system and combining economics with sociology.

Financial Aid

I received a full ride, and they’re covering everything from tuition, books, travel costs, and even personal expenses. I submitted the CSS Profile and IDOC to verify all financial information.

I was also selected for Columbia’s Scholars Program, the university’s honors program. Out of 2,200 admitted students, only 100 are chosen. The program gives access to exclusive research opportunities, speaker events, and more. I feel so grateful.

On the other hand, I didn’t pay anything to apply! My high school covers all application fees for scholarship students. I also emailed Columbia requesting a CSS Profile fee waiver, which they approved.

Tips for Applicants

My biggest advice is: be intentional and personal in your application. Your stats or extracurriculars alone probably won’t make you stand out, but your voice will!

In my essays, I showcased emotional intelligence and real personality traits, not just what I thought colleges wanted to hear. I talked about therapy, personal growth, music I love, and unique experiences that make me who I am.

Start early (ideally in the summer), and focus on showing sides of yourself that numbers can’t capture.

Looking Ahead

I’ll be arriving in New York in August, and I’ve never even been there before! I’ve only been to the U.S. once, when I was six, on a family trip to Orlando. This new chapter feels surreal.

To any international student reading this: even if you’re not in an international school, you can self-study, find your own path, and succeed. Do what truly excites you, and that passion will come through in your application.