Hello! I am Al-Hassan from Egypt. I graduated from STEM Obour High School in 2022. Currently, I am a junior at Minerva University; this is my whole journey.
My background
I finished middle school achieving 98.5% and was eligible for STEM Schools conditions. At first, I was not a fan of boarding schools, but my family liked the school’s idea and persuaded me to apply. I did not study hard for the entrance exam but after I finished the exam, I felt good about my answers and the exam overall. I ended up getting into Obour STEM School! my first semester at the high school was not that good for me, I felt lost because the community in STEM measures you on your grades in G9 and your rank in the entrance exam; my G9 grades were not 100% and my entrance exam rank was not the highest in the school. Thus, I did not have a friend community in my first semester, and I thought about leaving the school, as fast all these challenges changed after I got an A and ranked 1st in semester 1. My relationships with friends and teachers got better.
Why Minerva University
At the beginning of my junior year, I came across Minerva University, I was amazed by the University's curriculum and traveling experience. But the major aspects for me were the class had a low number of students that could make discussions from all the students, you are not a passive learner, and how the assignments were done. Furthermore, traveling helps you explore yourself before exploring the world. Likewise, in COVID-19 all of us saw how we can access any courses from home, So I wanted a University that develops personality mainly. After I researched, I found Minerva as the best distention. After achieving another A grade my friends told me that I had a chance however I must enhance my extracurricular activities. So, I spent the summer vacation developing the ECs.
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My GPA and Extracurricular Activities & Awards
My GPA was 4.0/4.0. I did not take the IELTS or the ACT due to personal circumstances.
About my Extracurricular activities & Awards: I was 3rd at Nile University's (UGRF) Annual national competition, 2nd at Cairo Water Week - one of the most competitive competitions in Egypt - and 5th at the International Science and Engineering Innovations Competition (ISEIC). Done research at Young Scientist Journal. Took a classwork at Boston University through the Education USA Connects program.
Financial Aid & Scholarship
Most of the accepted Egyptian students received impressive financial aid, in my year most of them had to pay 2000$, my financial aid package was to pay 4000$ at the first year and 2000$ in the following years.
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Minerva’s Application
Minerva does not require a personal statement. However, it requires 6 challenges and 6 accomplishments.
The first part of the application is the 6 challenges
The 6 challenges are distributed into 3 and 3. The first 3 are the Reading test, writing test, and expression (they are 5 questions like the interview’s questions. For instance, why are you applying to Minerva, and tell me about a situation that changed your personality) focusing on your language’s ability.
The second 3 are IQ, Mathematics, and creativity focusing on your intellectual abilities.
The second part is the transcripts and personal information
The third part is the 6 Accomplishments
I put my achievement in the Cairo Water Week Competition. The Cairo Water Week Competition has an outstanding exhibition experience! the event was international, the attendees were ministers from Africa, delegates from Europe United, and ambassadors from all over the world. We were 65 STEM projects, I ranked 2nd.
Another accomplishment I am proud of: is my experience in painting my house room! I learned from YouTube how to paint a room correctly. Then, I persist for 3 days in a row painting my room with the design in my head. It was a personal accomplishment that I will never forget.
Life at Minerva
I experienced three countries with Minerva University and each country I learned a new something from it! I spent my freshman year in California, U.S. In the U.S. I learned more about open-minded mindset and liberty. I spent a semester in Germany. People in Germany are as disciplined as machines. I liked Germany However there is some racism in it. I spent a semester in Korea. Korea is the mere meaning of respect for anyone no matters what’s your religion and color. Furthermore, Minerva is so diverse. As a direct sequence of being in small classes, all of us know each other and have decent friendships.
