My High School and Equity Leadership Program

My name is Simon, and I am from Kenya. I studied at Nairobi School, a public school in Kenya that is highly competitive. I have always wanted a global education, which prompted me to begin researching the possibility of studying abroad, as until then, I had only heard about it without knowing how to proceed. During the COVID period, I took the opportunity to explore websites to understand if securing a scholarship was feasible. However, at that time, I couldn't find information specifically tailored for a high school student from Kenya.

After completing high school, I was accepted into the Equity Leadership Program which provided admissions support and offered information on potential universities. I was accepted into this program due to my high results on the KCSE (Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education) exam; about 1 million students take it, but only about a thousand receive a grade A. Therefore, the program is not something you can apply for, but rather, you get invited if you score at the top of your school. It was in this program that I learned about others who had gained admission to prestigious universities, and my journey began.

Why NYU Abu Dhabi

I have considered multiple selective US universities, including the Ivies, as I was already studying at a competitive high school and wanted to continue on this path. However, my high school suffered from overpopulation, diminishing the quality of education. NYU Abu Dhabi, with its close-knit community and selective admission, seemed like a better fit. Moreover, I was impressed by the diversity, with students from over 100 countries, making each country well-represented — something rare elsewhere. NYU's concept of being a "university without walls," where you can study at any of their global campuses, seemed unique to me. Lastly, while researching, I found out that NYU Abu Dhabi is really generous with financial aid. That's something I actually learned in Borderless as I read stories of others who received full financial aid. This aspect was very important to me.

Extracurricular Activities

My most significant activity was being accepted into the Equity Leadership Program, which offered me a six-month internship at Equity Bank. I worked 10 hours a day, six days a week, totaling 60 hours a week, dedicating a substantial amount of time to this role. This internship was the most meaningful of my activities.

Beyond the internship, my attention in school was focused on STEM activities. I was involved in the Kenya Science Engineering Fair, where I spent a significant amount of time over four years. My major is bioengineering, so having STEM-related activities was important. Additionally, student leadership was another key activity for me; I was a student leader in high school for a considerable duration. These were the main activities I prioritized.

Exam Scores and Grades

I chose the SAT-optional application route because I lacked the time to prepare for the SAT, and I also didn't take the TOEFL since I've been educated in English throughout my life in Kenya. My application was primarily based on my high school performance. In Kenya, we don't use the GPA system, but my academic transcript showcased a mix of A's and B's — mostly A's, which is pretty strong.

For my leaving exam, which is highly evaluative and took the place of the SAT for me, I took the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), a very important exam in my country. I achieved the maximum score of 84 out of 84 points, graduating as top at my school.

Personal Statement

In my personal statement, I wrote about how, during COVID, I took up baking. Initially, it was challenging, but after several attempts, I managed to bake a decent cake. I linked this baking experience to my personal qualities, suggesting that, like baking, I am capable of improving and succeeding through persistence. An external advisor reviewed my essay and encouraged me, saying that it was good.

My key piece of advice to others is to remain genuine in their stories. I made sure to write an authentic story because pretending to be someone you're not doesn't work well. It's also helpful to look at a few sample essays to get a sense of how others have approached theirs. However, don't look at too many; as they say, "too many cooks spoil the broth." If you read too many, you might end up confused.

Interview and Candidate Weekend

I had an interview before the candidate weekend. Honestly, I almost forgot to prepare for it, but it turned out well. I just aimed to be myself and answered the questions as they came. Mostly, they asked why I chose the school, which was easy for me since it's where I really wanted to be—my dream school. They wanted to know why I applied to NYUAD, my interests in the school, what I applied with, and how I plan to use my education in the future.

For the ED I applicants, the candidate weekend was virtual. We used Discord to connect with other students, and we attended information sessions led by various professors and the chancellor. My tip for candidate weekend is to really engage with as many students as possible because you'll start forming friendships with people who might just become your classmates.

Financial aid & Fee waivers

I was fortunate to receive full financial aid, which amounts to about $82,000 per year, so I don't have to pay anything for my education. For the application process, I used the CSS Profile, just like for other US universities.

Additionally, I managed to get a fee waiver for both the application fee and the CSS Profile fee. I obtained the CSS Fee waiver through the university's student portal, where there is an option to request one during the application process. For the Common App fee waiver, my school counselor assisted me. There is a section in the Common App where your school counselor can confirm your need for a fee waiver, and then they recommend you for it.

How I planned my application process

I applied to NYUAD through Early Decision I, with a deadline of November 1st. It's important to mention that I took a gap year, which is quite common for Kenyan students. For us it's extremely difficult to apply anywhere without having taken the leaving exam, therefore I decided to graduate first and apply after.

I began my research in March and April, right after joining the Equity Leadership Program in February. By April or May, I had discovered NYU Abu Dhabi and felt certain it was the right choice for me. After spending about two months on research, I dedicated June, July, August, and September to writing my essays and contacting my school and teachers for recommendation letters. However, I think I waited too long to request these letters, only doing so one or two months before they were needed, when my teachers were quite busy. In hindsight, I should have asked for them earlier.

Resources that helped with my application

For starters, definitely Borderless because it has so many amazing stories that I read about NYUAD and other schools. Additionally, I did some digging on Quora and Reddit. They might not have very detailed information, but you can still find some helpful tips there. Besides, I mainly looked into college access programs in Kenya, like the Equity Leadership Program. Networking is another important aspect of getting help. I would go on LinkedIn, look up alumni, and see what schools they went to, which gave me ideas about where I could apply.

Advice for students

My advice for Kenyan and other international students is to reach out to those who are already studying abroad. In my high school, I received misleading information because I didn't fully understand how studying abroad works. What changed the game for me was getting into the Equity Leadership Program. So, talking to students who have managed to go abroad for their studies is crucial.

Additionally, don't overlook interacting with your teachers; they can provide valuable insights. Lastly, seeking out college access programs, such as Education USA, is key. Get in touch with people in these programs because they are a goldmine of useful information that can assist in your application process.