My Background
My name is Lida Asilyan, and I'm from Ijevan, a small town in Armenia. I graduated from Ijevan Lyceum, having completed 13 years of schooling thanks to my participation in the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program, which gave me an additional year of high school experience. Afterward, I was accepted into the American University of Armenia (AUA), where I earned my bachelor's degree in English and Communications. AUA offered me the chance to receive an education similar to the U.S. system right here in Armenia. During my time there, I took courses and collaborated with professors who helped solidify my desire to continue my studies in the field of education. I am currently pursuing my master’s in Education Policy and Analysis at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Why USA
The FLEX program truly changed my life by giving me a deeper understanding of the U.S. education system. While it wasn’t specifically about higher education, it gave me a taste of its academic environment in the U.S., so I had plans to pursue my degree there. However, I ended up applying to the American University of Armenia, where I completed my undergraduate studies. And there, I decided to pursue my master’s in the U.S.
Major in Education Policy
I chose to pursue a degree in Education Policy because I believe it's one of the most effective ways to drive change and improve our education system. I am also focusing on International Educational Development and Comparative Education, with a particular interest in refugee education and education in emergency settings.
Why Harvard
I began my university search by focusing on programs that aligned with my interests in refugee education, international education, and international educational development. I researched master's programs in the U.S. that emphasized these areas and eventually narrowed my options to top institutions like Columbia, UPenn, and Harvard. My priority wasn't the rankings but rather the quality of the programs, the faculty, and the courses they offered. I looked into the professors' profiles, exploring their research interests, publications, and anything that resonated with my own academic goals.
Initially, I planned to apply to five or six universities, but time constraints limited me to Harvard, Columbia, and UPenn. I applied to each of them with the same level of commitment and was thrilled to be accepted by all three. I ultimately chose Harvard because the program offered a broader curriculum, allowing me to define my focus over time, and it came with a more substantial scholarship.
Stats
I had a GPA of 3.96 out of 4, both bachelor’s studies, and it was very similar during high school (which did not impact my master’s degree applications at all, and I didn’t need to mention it anywhere). Exams like GRE/GMAT weren’t required for my program, and I didn’t need to take TOEFL either, as my university’s language of instruction was English.
Application Process
After deciding on the universities I wanted to apply to and organizing my application details, I started working on one of the most important parts: the essays. Since most universities required Statements of Purpose instead of personal statements, I focused on tailoring each essay to the specific school. I did a lot of research to understand what each program was looking for and how I could effectively present my strengths. I even got to the point where I knew most of the information about the professors by heart!
Along with my essays, I submitted my resume. My extensive work experience was a strong asset, especially since many students applying straight from undergrad might not have as much professional exposure. Recommendations are also crucial for graduate applications, and I secured letters from supervisors and professors who knew me well.
To complete my application, I included a portfolio showcasing my skills and interests in social media management and graphic design. I believe this really helped to highlight my diverse abilities.
Extracurriculars and Professional Experience
When applying for a master’s degree, admissions offices primarily focus on your work and professional experiences. Some programs also ask about extracurricular activities, and I made sure to mention a few of those as well.
FLEX (Future Leaders Exchange Program) Alumni Coordinator
One of the important experiences was my job as the FLEX Alumni Coordinator, through which I grew professionally and developed a deeper passion for education. I was responsible for organizing events and leading different initiatives, both locally and with the coordinators from different countries. For my applications, I highlighted these experiences and my interest in international education.
Competitive College Club (CCC) EducationUSA Armenia Jr. Adviser
I am proud to be an alumna of the Competitive College Club (CCC) program at EducationUSA Armenia. CCC is an intensive program for competitive high school students or university students who are interested in pursuing their higher education in the U.S. I received a lot of support and guidance on how to craft my applications effectively and this is when I started doing my research. Then, I was employed as the EducationUSA Junior Adviser, working with 9-10th graders from two regions in Armenia for the PRE-Competitive College Club. These roles showed my dedication to helping students from regional areas—like where I'm from—mentoring, advising, and working with different stakeholders.
Rerooted Archive and University Network of Human Rights
Recently, I've been involved with Rerooted, an archive focused on the stories of Syrian-Armenians, especially their lives before and after the Syrian War, as descendants of Armenian Genocide survivors. I started off transcribing and translating their stories and later conducted interviews and took on additional tasks. My supervisor, Anoush Baghdasaryan, a Harvard Law School alum, was incredibly supportive and got me involved in other projects. With her help, I worked with the University Network of Human Rights, focusing on human rights violations related to the Nagorno-Karabakh War and displacement. This opportunity allowed me to collaborate with a Harvard Law School professor and students from several universities. I gained hands-on experience with their research methods and got a real feel for their academic culture. It also helped me connect more deeply with universities and understand how their students and professors tackle important issues.
Financial Aid & Scholarship
I would say it is generally harder to secure scholarships for master’s programs in the U.S., especially at private universities. While they do offer fellowships for graduate applicants, they are extremely competitive. Scholarships from Harvard covered only a part of the total cost, so I applied for external scholarships and turned to fundraising, including contributions from private individuals. I am grateful to have received support from different Armenian organizations, which helped me cover most of my costs. Even though the universities I applied to were transparent about the limited scholarships they offer, navigating this funding process after being accepted was another difficult but rewarding journey.
How it's going
Being a graduate student is a completely different experience because it involves more decision-making. As an undergraduate, I was usually guided by certain mandatory requirements, which meant I didn’t have to worry too much about selecting all my courses. There's at least some structure to follow. However, in graduate school, the choices are mostly on me, with a wide range of courses and opportunities available. I can even cross-register for classes at all Harvard schools, MIT, and Tufts University.
If you tend to get anxious like I do, you'll need to be a good planner to decide what you want to pursue. At the beginning of the semester, I tried to outline what I wanted to achieve. This semester, I decided to concentrate solely on academics—no job, just classes. I've challenged myself by enrolling in courses like statistics, which are quite different from my undergraduate studies in communications, writing, and journalism. It's been an intense, fun, and exciting journey, though I won't romanticize it; it's also been quite draining. There were challenging moments when I asked myself, "What am I even doing? This is a lot!." Even now, I sometimes feel a bit lost because, while Harvard is renowned for its network, resources, and opportunities, effectively utilizing them is crucial.
Meeting incredible people from all over the world has been an eye-opening experience. Almost everyone shares the same passion for education, and interacting with people with very impressive backgrounds helped me realize how much more there is for me to learn.
Overall, my experience has been a mix of emotions—overwhelming but positive and hopeful. I am optimistic that I'll make smart decisions and leave without regrets!
Plans after Graduation
With my degree being STEM-oriented, I have the opportunity to remain in the U.S. for up to three years for optional practical training after graduation. I'm definitely hoping to spend at least another year here since a one-year master's program feels quite brief. I want to see what kinds of experiences I can gain during that time or perhaps even extend my stay to two or three years. However, looking at the longer term—over the next five years—I aim to return to Armenia. My goal is to work in and for Armenia, contributing to its education policies and systems, which is the main reason I'm pursuing an education policy degree.
Additionally, I'm considering pursuing a Ph.D. because I see myself in academia, particularly in teaching. While a Ph.D. isn't required to teach at the American University of Armenia, it's something I aspire to do. I want to delve into specific research questions and believe earning a Ph.D. would be a rewarding experience. However, I feel it would be beneficial for me to return to Armenia first, to learn and immerse myself in areas I may not yet fully understand, and then pursue a Ph.D. later on. I’m young, and I have the time to take this path. I believe I have enough time!
Advice for International Applicants
For Graduate Students
Take Your Time: Consider gaining work experience before applying to graduate school. Exploring different roles and fields will give you a broader perspective on what truly interests you and how to maximize your graduate school experience. Don’t rush—use this time to clarify your goals.
Do Extensive Research: When you're applying, research thoroughly. Understand what each program offers—the courses available, the professors teaching them, and the program’s focus. It’s a considerable investment of time and money, so make sure your choice is well-informed.
Be Specific: Graduate programs tend to offer more specific choices than undergraduate ones. Carefully consider what you want from your degree and apply with intention, knowing exactly what you hope to achieve.
For Undergraduate Students
Be Well-Rounded: Your application should reflect your full self. While you should emphasize your primary interests, such as computer science and technology, also include other areas of your personality. Show that you’re more than just a list of certificates and experiences.
Get Creative with Personal Statements: If writing your personal statement feels challenging, try having a friend interview you. Let them ask open-ended questions about your life as a journalist would. This can help you focus on specific stories and draw out metaphors or symbols to make your statement unique. I believe attention to small details and a compelling narrative arc will make a lasting impression.
For both, the key is to be strategic, authentic, and intentional about what you present.
