OPPORTUNITY FUNDS-BULGARIA 

For High School Juniors and Seniors

OF Admissions, AY2017-2021  
OF Training, April 2017

The Fulbright Commission and EducationUSA launched the U.S. State Department-funded Opportunity Funds program in Bulgaria in February 2016. The program provides financial resources to highly qualified, yet economically challenged, Bulgarian students to cover the up-front costs of applying to U.S. universities, such as testing, application fees, or airfare. In addition to their impressive academic achievements, Opportunity students also bring cultural and socio-economic diversity to U.S. campuses.

To date, the Opportunity Funds-Bulgaria program has delivered excellent results. Ten U.S. colleges and universities have offered acceptance to six of the twelve first-year cohort members with a total scholarship amount of $ 530 334: Northwestern University, IL; Amherst College, MA; MIT, MA; University of Miami, FL; Franklin & Marshall College, PA; University of Denver, CO; Dickinson College, PA; NYU Abu Dhabi, UAE; Yale-NUS College in Singapore and Minerva Schools at KGI, CA. Five students will be enrolled in Amherst College, MA; MIT, MA; Dickinson College, PA; NYU Abu Dhabi, UAE and Yale-NUS College in Singapore. They will be studying Psychology, Economics, Aerospace Engineering, Life Sciences, and Biology.

During the current year, the Fulbright Commission and EducationUSA have been working very closely with the 33 Fulbright ETAs, who are spread out all over Bulgaria, to solicit high-quality applicants, which resulted in the selection of ten high school juniors representing diverse social groups from around Bulgaria. Their preparation for applying to accredited U.S. colleges and universities that are likely to award full financial aid to international students included three modules:  “Prepare for the iBT TOEFL Test”, “Prepare for the Redesigned SAT Test” and “College Application Essay Writing”. The program started with a one-week camp at the National Training and Logistics Center of the Bulgarian Red Cross in the village of Lozen, near Sofia, during Spring Break, April 9-15, for an intensive course in iBT TOEFL prep. All participants were greeted by Angela Rodel, Executive Director of the Bulgarian-American Fulbright Commission. Special guests to the event were six first-year Opportunity Funds students who shared their program experiences with the new cohort members.The three courses included in the event’s curriculum – iBT TOEFL Reading and Writing, iBT TOEFL Listening and Speaking and Researching Universities were led by Asst. Prof. Vladimir Phillipov, Department of English and American Studies, Sofia University;Sophia Kleinsasser, former Fulbright ETA and current ESL teacher; and EducationUSA Adviser SnezhanaTeneva. The lectures and training addressed various exam tasks, strategies and challenges and explored ways to further enhance students’ preparation for applying to accredited colleges and universities in the U.S.

We strongly believe that all Opportunity Funds students will make the best use of the knowledge and know-how acquired during this unique program and wish them the best of luck in their future educational and career endeavors.

Special recognition and gratitude is due to the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Embassy for their generous financial support.

Приеми в САЩ (2017-2021 г.) и обучение на 
участници в програмата Opportunity Funds

            Програмата Opportunity Funds-Bulgaria се финансира изцяло от Правителството на САЩ /Бюрото за образователни и културни дейности към Държавния департамент/ и Американското посолство в София и осигурява 10 стипендии в размер до $5,000 всяка за подготовка на талантливи български ученици от 11 клас за кандидатстване в акредитирани американски университети и отпътуване в САЩ.

            В България програмата Opportunity Funds се провежда от февруари 2016 година от Консултантския център при Комисия „Фулбрайт” и резултатите от приемите на първата група участници са впечатляващи. Десет американски висши училища предложиха на шест от дванадесетте участници в програмата през учебната 2016-17 година прием с институционално финансиране на обща стойност $ 530 334: Northwestern University, IL; Amherst College, MA; MIT, MA; University of Miami, FL; Franklin & Marshall College, PA; University of Denver, CO; Dickinson College, PA; NYU Abu Dhabi, UAE; Yale-NUS College in Singapore и Minerva Schools at KGI, CA. Новоприетите студенти ще изучават психология, икономика, инженерство, природни науки и биология.

            И тази година, Комисия Фулбрайт, в тясно сътрудничество с 33-ма американски помощник-учители по английски език, които преподават в различни градове в България, успя да привлече голям брой  отлични кандидати за програмата Opportunity Funds, което доведе до избора на десет изключително талантливи ученици от цялата страна. Обучението им за кандидатстване в акредитирани колежи и университети в САЩ включва три модула: подготовка за американския езиков тест iBT TOEFL, подготовка за кандидат-студентския тест SAT  и писане на есе.

            Програмата стартира с едноседмичен лагер от 9-15 април в Националния учебен и логистичен център на Българския червен кръст в село Лозен в близост до София с интензивен курс по iBT TOEFL. Изпълнителният директор на Комисия Фулбрайт, г-жа Анджела Родел, официално откри обучението и сподели с новите участници в програмата  своя опит от висшето си образование в САЩ. Трите курса, включени в учебната програма - iBT TOEFL четене и писане, iBT TOEFL слушане и говорене и проучване на американски университети, бяха водени от доц. Владимир Филипов от Софийски университет, София Клайнзасер, бивш американски помощник-учител по английски език и Снежана Тенева, консултант за висше образование в САЩ при Комисия Фулбрайт.  Лекциите и обучението бяха насочени към различни изпитни задачи и предложиха разнообразни стратегии за успешно представяне на тестовете и избор на университети, които осигуряват 100% институционално финансиране на чуждестранните студенти.

            Ние вярваме, че и тазгодишните участници в програмата Opportunity Funds-Bulgaria ще се представят блестящо в процеса на кандидатстване за висше образование в САЩ и ще  получат приеми с нужната им финансова подкрепа.

            Благодарим на Държавния департамент на САЩ и на Американското посолство в София за щедрите стипендии и подкрепата им за българските ученици.

OPPORTUNITY FUNDS-BULGARIA 

For High School Juniors and Seniors

Kaloyan Valchev

Doctor Petar Beron High School of Mathematics, Varna

Northwestern University, IL, USA

AY 2017-2021

 

Common Application Essay

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don't feel obligated to do so. (The application won't accept a response shorter than 250 words.)

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. (250 - 650 words)

My tennis, my life

I was 2/5 down in the deciding third set of one of my most important tennis matches. The referee announced “time” and I told myself cheerfully: “Yeah, time for a comeback!” However, my opponent obtained a match point. During the rally he could have hit an easy volley, but he skipped the ball because it was about to fly out. Everyone thought the match was over as the ball whizzed away, but only I preserved the shimmering hope that it was not the end. Suddenly, the wind of change blew and the ball landed on the line. I yelled “Come on” victoriously. After that amazing point I won the deciding third set 7/5. It was not the wind that changed the course of the match. It was my will to win.

I proved to myself once again that I should never give up on my desires. If I believe in my abilities, a way to accomplish my goals will always be available. This statement applies not only to tennis, but also to any kind of activities outside the court.

After fourteen years of practice and competition, I realize that plenty of concepts in tennis are similar to those in life. One of the most important lessons tennis has taught me is how to set my goals, how to focus on them, and how to achieve them. In tennis, I see the ball coming, I prepare to hit, and I execute the stroke. In mathematics for example, I am given a problem, I elaborate a plan how to solve it, and I execute the required steps to find the solution.

Another rule of mine is to hit more winners and to lessen the unforced errors. Tennis matches are usually decided in favor of the player who takes advantage of his or her opportunities and makes fewer errors. In life, my strategy to success is to take advantage of my chances for development, while maintaining the least number of wrong decisions.

Tennis has taught me to focus on the process, not on the result. In the end of the day, the level of my development is more important than the number of victories. When I reach the level of the world’s top players, then I will count victories. Similarly, the test results are important, sure, but what is more important is what I have learned.

Actually, when I think of a tennis match, it resembles life. The warm-up portrays my preparation for life, including education. My opponent reproduces the obstacles I am about to face. As in a tennis match, life can go through ups and downs, so I have to be prepared to face any arising challenges, using my strengths and following my plans in order to win the points, games, sets, and matches of life.

Another tennis lesson I have learned is that I am the only person on my side of the court, so I make my own decisions and take my own risks. Fans may support me and coaches may give me advice, but after all, it depends on me whether I win or lose. In life, my family and my true friends are always by my side, but I am the person responsible for my future, drawing my own path.

Most importantly, tennis has taught me to be ambitious and persistent. Tennis and education have always gone hand in hand in my life, and I have maintained high standards in both fields thanks to those qualities. Although I am a proven competitor, it is difficult to maintain motivation all the time. Sometimes I ask myself whether it is worth it to fight for every point in life. Now I understand that every single minute of effort is worthy not because all my victories and trophies, but because of the rich person I have become: rich in interests, friends, experience, motivation, love, and dreams.

College Application Essay

Northwestern Statement

(completion strongly recommended)

Other parts of your application give us a sense for how you might contribute to Northwestern. But we also want to consider how Northwestern will contribute to your interests and goals. In 300 words or less, help us understand what aspects of Northwestern appeal most to you, and how you'll make use of specific resources and opportunities here. (300 word maximum)

I am drawn to Northwestern primarily because this university and I have a lot in common. I strive to develop just as Northwestern strives to become a leading institution for education, innovation, and research. I put massive effort while pursuing my ambitions just as Northwestern invests immense resources into the development of its programs. I desire a wider perspective to the world just as Northwestern persists to broaden its territory in order to fit the growing potential of the university. I respect diversity and global engagement just as Northwestern aims to establish deeper connections with its local, national, and global communities.

What greatly appeals to me about Northwestern is the recent outstanding growth. Especially for Economics and Mathematics, my desired fields of study, Northwestern has become one of the most prosperous and fruitful universities in the world. By benefiting from the top-level education, outstanding facilities, and innovative research programs at Northwestern, I am confident that I will rapidly develop my skills and knowledge. I believe that I can implement my education into the prosperity of economics and society, especially in my home country Bulgaria.

Another aspect of Northwestern that grabs my attention is the strong men’s tennis team. As a current ATP player and eleven-time national champion of Bulgaria, it will be great honor for me to support the Northwestern Wildcats in one of the strongest American conferences. If I join the Wildcats, Northwestern will benefit from my skills and talent, and I will be offered the training opportunities I have always dreamed of, which will drastically improve my game.

Considering my academic potential, variety of interests, desire for progress, and sportsman personality, I am convinced that Northwestern can vastly contribute to my development, just as I can contribute to the diversity, academic excellence, and athletic dominance of Northwestern.

Disclaimer

The text is published in its original and unedited version.

OPPORTUNITY FUNDS-BULGARIA 

For High School Juniors and Seniors

Nadezhda Dimitrova

Albert Einstein 128 Secondary School, Sofia

Anglo-American School of Sofia, Sofia

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA, USA

AY 2017-2021

MIT Application Essays

At MIT, we use a holistic admissions process which entails understanding as much about you as we possibly can, and the context in which you have been shaped, both as a person and as a student. Because simply checking a box cannot fully describe a person, we are providing this opportunity for you to tell us something about what your cultural background and identity mean to you. If you need more space than this text box allows, please type “See response in Optional election" in this space and then type your response to this question in the optional text box in Part Two, Section Nine.

I grew up in Pavlikeni, feeding chickens, picking berries, and collecting falling apples in my grandmother’s garden, observing how the environment can provide subsistence and happiness. However, my mother and I moved to the capital city, so I could have the education to follow in Newton’s footsteps. In moving, I experienced the differences in lifestyles, learning how technology can affect life and the environment. I want to emulate my two big brothers, who both studied abroad, and succeed not only in following their footsteps, but also to go even further and achieve something greater.

We know you lead a busy life, full of activities, many of which are required of you. Tell us about something you do for the pleasure of it. (*)(100 words or fewer)

I have dyed my hair blue because unlike Picasso’s doleful monochromatic blue movement, I want to infuse the world with vibrant colors. I paint for a few hours every week – I spread a large canvas on the floor in my room and catch up with TV series. Just like television, I paint to transmit a message while also relaxing. I value Gerard Richter’s pastose strokes for the emotions they evoke but I prefer the smooth but clear paintings of Sirani (Classicism) or Degas (Impressionism). This form of expression is logical, just like engineering, and gives me a creative outlet. 

Although you may not yet know what you want to major in, which department or program at MIT appeals to you and why? (*) (100 words or fewer)

I have found my strengths in mathematics, sciences, and the communication of ideas, so I pursue a career as an Aerospace Engineer at MIT’s department of AeroAstro. I want to be an engineer to implement inspirations from nature and make life better, to create ever more fuel-efficient and reliable mechanisms, such as the morphing-wing vehicles. At MIT, I can be in the cradle of ideas, go to the frontier of human knowledge, and enjoy collaborative relationships. I know some of this from an MIT graduate and a friend of mine, Momchil Molnar, and want to earn the Brass Rat.

At MIT, we bring people together to better the lives of others. MIT students work to improve their communities in different ways, from tackling the world's biggest challenges to being a good friend. Describe one way in which you have contributed to your community, whether in your family, the classroom, your neighborhood, etc. (*) (200-250 words)

A warm cup of tea when sick; walking between classes to the bathroom to keep company; visiting each other’s houses to work quietly on assignments. Having a good friend is invaluable and I show my friends how much I appreciate them. But during a cheerful dinner with my class, I faced one of the world's biggest problems - most of the food was left uneaten.

To appreciate how fortunate we are, I invited them to participate in a “Fun Run” marathon to raise awareness about the Syrian refugee crisis. It included singing, running, and free snacks, and we requested from one of the organizers to help with the preparation of a similar activity at our school. Three friends and I undertook the challenge to organize an event for our elementary students. The activity took over three months to plan and involved about 200 children (refugees, school children, teachers, and volunteers).

We had to overcome several hurdles, such as dealing with the administration regarding security, gathering funds, and choosing an appropriate program to both teach and inspire hope. We also dealt with unexpected rain just minutes before the event, for which we had a plan but needed to act quick and spread the schedule change to everyone. In the end, we taught the youngsters various facts about the issue that we hope will stay with them as they grow up to be compassionate. This is not only a service to the community, but also another aspect of being an empathetic friend.

Describe the world you come from; for example, your family, clubs, school, community, city, or town. How has that world shaped your dreams and aspirations?(*) (200-250 words)

I am a scholarship student at the Anglo-American School of Sofia and my 24-people class is an amalgam of 11 different nationalities. Being a Bulgarian in such an international community has coached me to be an ambassador of our culture. Along with speaking in formal all-school assemblies about our traditional holidays, I teach peers to punch the correct public transportation ticket or explain memes about Bulgarian culture. This has taught me to cherish my own culture and embrace it, because it makes me unique.

Attending two schools at the same time has given me two very distinct groups of friends - my wealthier international friends, and my Bulgarian friends that I accumulated by going to competitions, camps, and social events. On my birthday party, these two completely different groups collided, but just like real galaxies colliding, where the probability of individual stars smashing is faint, the two groups morphed as each one exerted its pull, not gravitational but cultural, and affected the perceptions of the other.

Living in such a diverse community, I have grown to be a very empathic person who seeks to help those in need, an understanding friend who listens and evaluates before judging anyone, and a good partner in collaborative projects. I want to facilitate and inspire people to find common goals, overcome their differences, and work together to better our future. I have been lucky to be around enthusiastic and smart people who want to achieve something in life or make a difference.

Tell us about the most significant challenge you've faced or something important that didn't go according to plan. How did you manage the situation?(*) (200-250 words)

When I asked my friends about their biggest challenges, most of them mentioned things that come easy to me: living only with a mother, striving to be a woman-scientist, combining school with going out. But something very hard for me is public speaking. When I moved to an international school in grade 8, I was very often given assignments to present in front of the whole class. Having studied in a Bulgarian system before, practical applications and rhetoric abilities were not a part of my education. Thus, I was very intimidated and having all glaring eyes directed at me panicked me.

I won’t forget my first major speaking assignment, a persuasive 10-minute speech. It was an interesting topic for me, but otherwise boring: to increase spending for NASA. I trembled with fear for a week! My brother helped with giving me stage directions, such as taking a step back while uttering this phrase.

Since then I’ve had many opportunities to practice to overcome my anxiety of being in the spotlight. I have helped Nikola Karavasilev while leading his after-school lectures and in the observatory in Sofia during Open Doors Night. Having to explain what I understand about astronomy, I realized that public speaking should be more than dull monologues. Now I also participate in MUN. This December, I have to present a speech in Berlin as the head delegate for Norway at BERMUN in front of 1000 delegates. I will still feel nervous, but I won’t show it.

Disclaimer

The text is published in its original and unedited version.

OPPORTUNITY FUNDS-BULGARIA 

For High School Juniors and Seniors

Vladimir Markov

Dimcho Debelyanov 134th High School, Sofia

Dickinson College, PA, USA

AY 2017-2021

College Application Essay

“You’re a doctor ?”

It was a dim afternoon; the rain poured onto the streets, making impassable puddles, as I rushed to return home from school. Out of the blue, a vague, slender figure crossed my path.

He was an elderly man. He was neatly dressed, as though headed for a gala,yet something peculiar about him caught my eye - he was wearing flip-flops. He approached me and asked,

“Young man, how do I get to the Military unit? I’ve been called in for duty.”

“That facility has been closed for years,” I replied with frustration.

“I need to get there; I have to serve my country,” he tearfully added, “What will I do?”

That was the moment I realized that his duty to serve was only in his mind. I knew I had to do something. I couldn’t leave the old man to wander around in the rain.

Standing there dumbstruck, I came to a decision. I had to act fast and help the bewildered soldier. Sadly, the man lived far away from where we were. I asked him if he could give me contact information for any relative of his. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a crumpled, aged wallet. It was empty, but for a single piece of paper, on which My son was written with nearly faded ink, along with a telephone number. Relief washed over me when I saw it. “That’s it!” I told myself, “That’s the solution.”

Dialing the phone number with shaking hands, I reached his son. Luckily, he picked up. I explained the situation to him. Worried, he immediately asked where I was. After telling him my address and giving him directions, I reassured him that the old man would be safe and sound. We hid from the rain at the entrance to my house, as he didn’t want to go inside.

“What do you do, young man?” he asked, shivering.

“I’m still a student,” I answered.

“You’re a doctor?” he exclaimed with astonishment, having misheard me.

A rush of excitement came over me. I have dreams of becoming one, but I had never been called a doctor. I explained to him, a little louder, that I’m an ordinary student.

“Oh, no, my boy, you’re not. If you were, you wouldn’t have been here, helping me.”

Those words warmed my heart.

Minutes passed and the man’s son arrived. At first, it was hard to read his facial expression. Joy was intertwined with sadness. “He has lost his sanity,” he explained, getting his father inside the car.

“Thank God he came across you. What can I do in return?”

“Nothing. Take care of him” said I.

He was insistent, though: “I cannot offer you nothing.” He rushed to the nearest store and bought some candy.  I took it. He thanked me again, and so did the old man. “We will never forget what you did for our family.” And they disappeared into the mist.

At first, it didn't seem as though anything significant had happened. But then I started to understand that, in fact, this small act on my part was maybe everything for that man and his family. I had felt satisfaction before in my life, but the one feeling I got that day was a rare one. I was happy to know that I had helped someone who desperately needed it. I kept asking myself, “Could there have been anybody else to help the poor man, or I was destined to do it?” Maybe indeed I was, and I am happy that I did.

This event was an affirmation of my dream of being a doctor. Seldom before had I felt more contented. I learned that the world can be a cruel place for some people, but that you can make it a happier place for them with just a small difference.

Disclaimer

The text is published in its original and unedited version.