Be defined by your dreams; not your background
Zak Adams, Global Director of Fundraising and Partnerships, shares with us his journey through Harvard applications and how he got into mentoring.
Let’s play a quick game. I will give you a statement, and you will guess my background. Ready?
I'm from England and I go to Harvard.
So, what’s my background? I’m going to give 5 answers. For each one you guessed, give yourself a point! The answers are…
From a non-fee paying school
Low-Income Household
Single Parent Household
Neurodivergent
From an area of low progression to higher education
How did you do? Did you win? Now, you may have scored 5/5, but for the many who have played this game with me before, the average score seems to be 0/5. This is because, for students like myself, our background defines us more than our potential. It shouldn’t, but it does.
“My background suggests that university isn’t for me.”
There were more likely destinations than Harvard. It may be seen that my background and Harvard don’t marry up; this is a perception that needs to change. The same perception applies to my home country, England. We envision Oxbridge (University of Oxford and University of Cambridge) to be full of students who paid thousands in tuition fees prior to university. Yet, such students only make up 30% of Oxbridge.
“The point I’m trying to make is: We belong at the top institutions.”
To gain admission to universities like Harvard is hard, and I certainly had hurdles to jump through, but that should not put you off. When I applied to Oxford, I knew no one who had done so before. The same stood for my Harvard application: I was the first student in my school’s history to apply to America. The admissions process was tough to navigate.
It’s never been a question of ‘Is this student good enough?’, it’s a question of, ‘Do they know they are good enough?’.
“Admission to Harvard was a shock to the system.”
When I applied to university, it was challenging. My support network was lacking, and my school was learning the American system at the same time I was. It was as if I wanted something, but I was being constantly told no. Those experiences of doubt, and figuring out if I could really do it, were exactly what shaped me. Such moments shaped me into someone who couldn’t take ‘no’ as an answer when applying. Determination, resilience, and self-belief were essential.
For my applications, I was driven by a desire to break the mould and prove that students, regardless of background, could succeed. All we need is the right environment. I spent hours researching the application process, honing my essays, and preparing for interviews. The journey was rough. Yet, the moment I received my acceptance letter, it was all worth it.
Admission to Harvard was a shock to the system; a shock so rare that my former teachers believed I was pulling the ultimate April Fools prank. Harvard decisions were released at midnight, on April 1st. The day consisted of constantly pulling out my phone, signing into the admissions portal, and showing proof that I had managed to get in (with most of the tuition fees covered). This was not to say they doubted me; there was only ever support. The teachers, who I still speak to today, showed me the value of mentorship. We all ventured into the unknown with the application process, but together, we came out the other side.
Zak, with his Harvard roommates!
The lack of distinct guidance I often faced shouldn't be a common experience. That’s why I became a mentor. I wanted to be the support system I never had, to help students see background does not place a limit on potential. I want people to understand their dreams are attainable.
Through mentoring, I’ve worked with students from diverse backgrounds, each with a unique set of challenges. The common thread, however, is that I don’t have to do too much work. Their potential to succeed is limitless: they just need to be shown it. By sharing my story, we have worked through applications, and seen self-doubt turn into confidence. I have had the honour of watching countless students break barriers and set new precedents. The students I have worked with have entered universities like Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, Kings, UCL, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth, Amherst, and Emory. The best part: I haven’t earned a single penny from them.
Mentoring should be free. The real pay is the self-development of the mentee.
My education journey has taken me on countless adventures. So far, I have spent over 700 hours supporting over 200 students. Some have been one-off conversations, and others have been weekly calls. Some of my highlights include:
Being invited to the House of Lords
Working with my city Council to inspire young people aged 9-10 to dream big
Becoming a staff member at my former school, supporting students into Oxbridge and the US
Founding a US program for Zero Gravity
Serving as the Global Director for Fundraising & Partnerships at Project Access (of course)
I don’t say this to brag, but to show this is possible.
“My highlight is when I mentor someone and then see them become a leader to me. So many of my mentees have inspired me to be better. I couldn’t thank them enough.”
To the young people reading this, know that your background does not define your destiny: your dreams do. It’s not going to be an easy path, and you may feel as if you aren’t cut out for the goals you have set. Just remember, every challenge you overcome is a step closer to your goal. Seek out mentors, forge communities, believe in yourself, and don’t let anything but your potential define you.
In the end, it’s not about where you come from, but where you are going. You belong at the top, just like anyone else. Have your dreams guide you, and one day, you’ll look back and see you’ve paved the way for others to follow.