In the hallways of The Columbus School in Medellin, where seniors of the 12th grade are diving into the world of universities and Ivy League dreams, Eva Morales has already secured a spot at the University of Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, Mariana Mesa and Sofia Gómez have applied to prestigious Ivy League institutions such as Harvard and Yale.

College applications entail a rigorous process where students display their personal and academic profiles. While this is a special and unique process, it may be demanding as well. The term “Ivy League” refers to a group of eight private institutions in the United States known for their academic excellence, prestige, and rigid admission standards. Ivy League applications are extremely competitive, requiring exceptional academics, leadership, and a compelling personal story. Developing an application that stands out is challenging for aspiring students. Thus, the journey to Ivy League acceptance involves a mix of feelings, hard work, and determination.

“I didn’t think I was going to make it. In my application, I showed myself as a very genuine and compassionate person. In my essays, I demonstrated who I really was through my interests, stories, and hobbies,” says Eva Morales about her acceptance to UPenn.

Holding significant roles such as NHS president, past COSMUN Secretary General, studying abroad, and accumulating two hundred and fifty social service hours, Eva’s dedication to both academic excellence and community service shines through. All of these experiences showcase Eva’s values, leadership skills, and all the effort she has invested through high school to build the best student profile possible.

“This process also has an emotional challenge because we may start doubting or reflecting on our value by where we were accepted. But I think that we all have to learn at some point that this is a process that also involves a component of luck and people should not connect their value with university acceptances,” claims Mariana Mesa.

Mesa’s perspective underscores the emotional rollercoaster many students experience, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy mindset throughout the unpredictable path to college admission. Mariana Mesa is the captain of the girls’ soccer team and COSMUN’s current Secretary General, along with other leadership positions. She claims that enjoying this process is fundamental, as it happens once in your life, and that students should give their best at all times.

“Show who you really are, don’t join everything or every club because you think it’s going to interest them. Get in clubs that really interest you and show yourself; otherwise, this will harm your application,” states Eva Morales.

Eva Morales’s advice offers valuable insight into the college application process, expressing the significance of authenticity and personal interests. Nevertheless, when students aspire to superior education, such as in any Ivy League institution, they must exceed in their applications, considering additional factors like financial aid. Ivies are usually costly, and scholarships and financial aid are not given out easily. Therefore, this becomes a crucial factor for a final decision.

“I am trusting the financial aid process and applying to schools with private scholarships. It’s truly difficult to win a fund since the field is very competitive, and outside scholarships are usually for US citizens,” states Sofia Gómez.

Sofia Gómez, the NHS Secretary and one of TOM’s leaders, aims for a double degree in Computer Science and Psychology at institutions like Harvard, Yale, Brown, and Duke. Gómez claims that studying abroad is truly expensive; nevertheless, Ivy Leagues are generous to some when it comes to financial aid. Gómez considers this situation as an even more significant way to demonstrate her talent, without forgetting who she is and knowing that a college acceptance doesn’t define her.

“More than your accomplishments in the end we’re human beings in which universities are interested in getting to know our values, goals, and what we feel is our purpose in life,” claims Mariana Mesa.

This perspective highlights the importance of making a genuine and authentic self in the application, emphasizing the personal qualities that make each applicant unique. Eva Morales, Mariana Mesa, and Sofia Gómez, each with their distinctive stories and experiences, demonstrate their dedication, personal qualities, and sacrifices required to navigate the competitive landscape of Ivy League admissions.

“Don’t let anyone tell you that your dreams are too big or that the college you are applying to is too difficult or not realistic,” concludes Sofia Gómez.