Articles with why this college

Please tell us what motivated you to apply to Haverford and what excites you most as you imagine your Haverford experience. Please limit your response to 150 words.

This might sound weird, but I’m applying to Haverford because it reminds me of my refugee camp. Not because it’s cramped and ageing, but because Haverford’s tight-knit community feels like home. When I started applying to colleges, I imagined studying at a Jame’a, the Arabic word for university. This translates to “the place where people congregate,” a sprawling, endless institution. At a Jame’a, I would be a tiny piece of a massive puzzle. Imagining this made me feel small and intimidated. Discovering Haverford, it felt like a great fit: a small-ish group of people, bound together by a single place, working towards the goal of self-understanding and knowledge. While there are many practical disadvantages to growing up in a refugee camp, we have created a powerful and uplifting community. Haverford shows me that I don’t have to give that up by going to college in a foreign country.

Tell us about a topic or issue that sparks your curiosity and gets you intellectually excited. How do you think the environment at Haverford, including the framework of the Honor Code, would foster your continued intellectual growth? Please limit your response to 250 words.

Two summers ago, I learned about a paradox of culture: the more embedded in it one is, the less one recognizes its influence. My teacher in a summer English program was American and Indian. Over the duration of the course, her cultural background sparked my curiosity and I approached her with questions. She gave me generous answers, telling me about her people’s well-organized choreography and the origins of their colourful celebrations. Eventually, we spoke often about differences between our cultural practices. Importantly, she showed me my naivete by correcting my misconceptions: before our conversations, for example, I thought that there were only three religions in the world! Slowly, I began to recognize the influence of culture on my own life. The pull of history and memory guide my beliefs and actions along with my friends, families, and neighbours. At Haverford, I will be in an environment that helps me broaden my awareness of my own misconceptions, biases, and naivete. The Honor Code is rooted in independence and academic pursuit but also in the advancement of the individual student’s understanding of his relationship to the world. I’m excited for Haverford to help me push my limits further than I could push them alone, to show me who I can become. Haverford will force me to see my own prejudices and misconceptions and challenge me to hold better beliefs.

Why do you want to attend Jacobs University? (200-word limit )

In a world that is getting increasingly divided, Jacobs University’s global network has emerged as one of the few institutions that promote collaboration between different countries in solving the biggest crises we face today. Studying at such a cosmopolitan institution will enable me to
explore new cultures, and thereby help me gain a better understanding of the world.


Additionally, World Track will provide me with an opportunity to further broaden my perspective by learning in a completely new cultural environment. Though I am a science student, I have always enjoyed stories of history. Another significant reason I look forward to attending Jacobs is because of the historic city of Bremen. By visiting museums, galleries, and libraries centered in Old Town, I can physically walk through the stories I have always loved reading about.

In addition to excellent academics, Jacobs also fosters the holistic development of students through Jacobs Track. With skills such as effective communication and management, education at Jacobs is much more than just academics—it prepares students for life.

Studying in a place where learning is not confined within the four walls of a classroom, I firmly believe that it is only Jacobs that will help me unleash my full potential as a student, and, most importantly, as a human being.

What in particular about Yale-NUS College has influenced your decision to apply? (250 words or less)

I consider myself the right student for Yale-NUS College.

For someone like me who greatly embraces practical learning, Yale-NUS has a lot to offer. For example, Yale-NUS’s Learning Across Boundaries (LABs) program allows me to explore concepts that are beyond my textbooks and learn through experimentation and field work. In addition, programs like Yale-NUS College Summer Research Program (SRP) and Yale College Dean’s Research Fellowship also attract my interest. They would not only help me gain a strong understanding of my subject areas but also allow me to meet new people and build communication and practical skills through the pre-program orientation and summer workshops.

However, it’s not only because of the strong academics why I am interested in Yale-NUS. Yale-NUS also encourages students to travel and develop strong leadership skills by adapting to different academic, social, and cultural circumstances. For one, the Yale-NUS Summer Institute in Global Strategy and Leadership program would develop vital writing, research, and argumentation skills while building strong mentoring relationships with the Yale faculty. In addition to offering leadership development programs, Yale-NUS stresses importance on tackling social challenges. Through programs like Service in The City and Social Impact Bootcamp, I’d get equipped with the skills to tackle social issues while also increase my capacity to work with a multitude of organizations and sectors. 

All in all, Yale-NUS College, a center for the next generation leaders, offers me the opportunity to grow, learn, and prepare for the challenging world that awaits me. 

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