Hi! I’m Alejandra Carrasco and I’m a Peruvian senior student at Dartmouth. I was born in Lima, San Juan de Lurigancho as my parents did. I studied in Innova Schools Campoy all my high school because I got the Perú Champs scholarship. I am majoring in Sociology and minoring in Latin America and Caribbean Studies.

My high school journey and why Dartmouth

When I was eight years old, I dreamed of studying abroad and traveling in an airplane. I felt my future was in another country. In 2017, during my 11th grade, I was particularly interested in exchange programs and work in my extracurricular activities. I realized how passionate I was about debate, social problems, and research. At that time, I was beginning with the Wawa Laptop project, the first eco-friendly laptop in Peru, and it helped me to learn about education and its correlation with poverty. Therefore, while exploring my real interests, I attended my first Model United Nations. I also joined volunteer programs, like the Scholas Occurrentes. In 2018, I attended a talk with an admission officer from Dartmouth. I was captivated by the phrase: People, Places and Pines.

Two gap years and a lot of uncertainty

In 2019, during my first gap year, I was rejected by the EducationUSA scholarship. However, a staff member wanted to help me independently. I received college decisions in early 2020, but not a full-ride scholarship. For that reason, I decided to apply again in 2020. I networked with current students, admission officers, and alumni from Dartmouth. I got in but did not receive a full aid package but in April 2021 I was selected for the King Scholars scholarship.

Stats

I took the SAT twice but did not get a good score, so I went test-optional. I placed sixth in the class and I scored 135 on the DET.

My Extracurriculars and Awards

I started volunteering in the 100 Million for 100 Million Campaign in 2017 and went to the International Labour Organization and the Ministry of Labor and Employment Promotion. I also did a lot of MUN and created the first Innova MUN (a MUN for the Innova network). I was accepted into the Latin American Leadership Academy. My most solid extracurricular was being the CEO of Wawa Laptop because I traveled overseas to represent the company. I sent a portfolio as well, where I included a video of me dancing Marinera.

My experience in the woods

I did well in the first two terms of my freshman year. In the third, the homesickness overtook me. In my sophomore year, I enrolled in classes I would be more passionate about such as education and geography. Then, I realized Sociology was my dream career. I was trying to find a balance between the academic and social aspects of my life. I am an extrovert person who enjoys events, friends outings, and talking. I found this balance when I enter to a sorority, where I met wonderful people. I even spent my sophomore summer living there.

I formed a friends group where I can be truly myself, and that is one of the things I value at Dartmouth. Everyone is proud of each other, and we celebrate our accomplishments. Because of the university's location, you need this type of friendship. Moreover, if you do not feel well, you can go to the Student Wellness Center. I have been going there since last year, and it has helped me a lot.

I participated in various extracurricular activities during university. I was a member of the Inter-Sorority Council, Peruvian Association at Dartmouth, Latin and Caribbean Council, and Student Government.

Finally, I was an intern at CARE International in Peru, the World Bank, and Team4Tech in Uganda. I won the Bosworth Award, awarded only to four rising seniors that demonstrate interest in humanitarian issues and world development.

My next steps

I would love to do a Master's in Design, Innovation, and Technology to use these tools to improve high schoolers’ performance. Currently, I am applying to programs and if do not get accepted, I will probably look for a job focused on education and technology.

In the future, I plan to create the first Wawa School, where technology leverages education. I think this school will revolutionize the Peruvian educative sector. It’s my vision.