An interview with Ceyda, a successful Ivy League applicant from Germany, about overcoming self-doubt, the importance of self-care, and her application top tips.

Tell us a bit about yourself – what motivated you to apply to colleges in the US? Which subjects interest you?

Hey there! My name is Ceyda, and I’m a first-generation student and second-generation immigrant. Recently, I was accepted into Yale University as the first German applicant for the class of 2029. I spent the first ten years of my education at a German public school, before receiving a full scholarship to study the International Baccalaureate at an international school for my junior and senior years.

“I have always dreamed of attending an Ivy League institution because of the vibrant US college spirit, the research opportunities available to undergraduates, and the diverse, international student community.”

After studying in an English-speaking, multicultural environment during my last two years of high school, I became even more certain that this was the right path for me. Throughout high school, I dedicated most of my free time to local political work, and I hope to major in Political Science and Economics in college, to later pursue a career in governance.

University admissions are stressful enough, even without applying to study abroad. Did you have any difficulties maintaining a work-life balance?

Absolutely! My last two years of high school were especially challenging—during the application process, I had almost no free time, sometimes only an hour a day to myself. However, I believe much of the stress can be avoided with early planning!

If you’re considering applying to the US, aim to achieve your desired SAT score as early as possible—ideally before senior year starts. Prioritise getting at least eight hours of sleep per night; this is where many students struggle, leading to burnout. Lastly, I made daily exercise a non-negotiable, even if it was just 30 minutes.

What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome when applying?

There were many challenges on the journey to becoming a competitive applicant, but one of the biggest for me was self-doubt.

“It was difficult to imagine myself at an elite institution, especially when social media was filled with seemingly perfect applicants.”

If you know what I’m talking about, my advice is simple: don’t fall into the trap of comparison, whether with your classmates or with strangers online. It won’t give you an accurate picture of your own strengths, and more often than not, it’s toxic.

Instead, ask yourself: How can I make the very most of the opportunities I have access to?

How was your PA mentor able to support you through these challenges?

I was incredibly fortunate to have a kind, supportive, and motivated mentor, who helped me and inspired me in many ways. Nilay gave me the confidence to apply to one of my reach schools, even though I was afraid of rejection.

She also made time in her busy schedule to check in on my well-being throughout the stressful admissions process. It was truly heartwarming to see how PA mentors go beyond just proofreading applications—they genuinely care about their mentees.

International students often find US supplemental essays quite daunting. What advice would you give on writing them?

After reading dozens of supplemental essays from friends who were successful in the US admissions process, I’ve learned that the best essays are deeply personal and unique. My main advice is to ask yourself these three questions when writing and revising your essays:

1. Could anyone else I know have written this response?

Your essay should be 100% unique to your life, filled with specific details and personal experiences.

2. Could this response have been written for any other university besides the one I’m applying to?

Ideally, your answers should be highly tailored to each school. This is especially important for “Why Us” essays — avoid generic statements.

3. Does this response reveal something completely new about me, something mentioned anywhere else in my application?

I personally wouldn’t recommend elaborating on an extracurricular that has already been sufficiently described in the activities section. Instead, use the supplementals to showcase different aspects of your character, interests, or values.

Finally, if you could give your past self one piece of advice, what would it be?

I would tell myself not to stress about making my application look "perfect." Sometimes, it’s better to focus on a few activities you genuinely enjoy rather than adding another leadership position, just for the sake of your résumé. Give yourself space to breathe, and choose activities you would enjoy regardless of college admissions. Embrace the process—you’ll end up where you’re meant to be.

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