Veselina Tomova

American English Academy in Sofia ‘20

EducaionUSA Opportunity Funds-Bulgaria Grant Recipient

New York University in Abu Dhabi, Class of 2024

My Way to NYUAD: A Success Story 

                   College interview, conducted by Fulbright ED Angela Rodel

My name is Veselina Tomova, and I am part of the Opportunity Funds program*. I study at the American English Academy in Sofia. Last month, I was accepted in New York University in Abu Dhabi to study biology. This offer made me extremely happy because the university is highly selective, with a 2% acceptance rate, and I was offered a full merit scholarship, which even included personal and travel expenses. I had a chance to see NYU Abu Dhabi’s modern campus this February when I was invited to Candidate Weekend at the expense of the university. And I fell in love with the facilities and the peaceful atmosphere. 

Getting here wasn’t easy at all. But to make it a little bit easier on you, I want to share my story. 

Coming from an American high school, I always knew that I wanted to continue my education in an American university. It was just natural. So, I began my standardized-test preparation very early. I think I was in ninth grade when I took my first SAT Subject Test in U.S. History. When I got an 800, I was motivated even further. Later on, I took four more SAT Subject Tests—Biology E, World History, Literature, and Math Level 1—and the SAT itself, of course, on which I got a 1550. And I also managed to squeeze in two AP exams. 

Even though I began preparing before I joined Opportunity Funds, I learned a lot from my participation. All the information that I received as part of the program was invaluable and helped me immensely during the application process. 

Actually, even before I became a part of Opportunity Funds, I had joined Mrs. Teneva’s mailing list, which was full of useful tips and advice. It was from there that I learned about taking online courses and organizing my resume. The program built on all that, offering three Modules with in-depth preparation for the TOEFL, SAT, and the personal statement. The third one was especially useful for me in terms of actually writing the personal statement, filling out the Common App and the CSS Profile (the financial aid document), and navigating the interview. Believe me, the application process is very specific, and without assistance from someone who knows the ins and outs, it can be quite challenging to complete. Luckily, we had Snezhana Teneva’s steady guidance to help us throughout the program. I'm also thankful to Opportunity Funds for bringing me in touch with so many like-minded people who were all striving to reach the same goal. It was amazing to share this journey with others like me.

Perhaps the biggest takeaway is to start your standardized-test preparation as soon as possible, around two years in advance. Admissions committees want well-rounded individuals for their universities. So, whenever possible, I would also recommend taking SAT Subject Tests from different fields. For example, if you’re applying to study science, it’s a good idea not only to take SAT Subject Tests in science, but also another one in social studies or languages as well, and vice versa. This way you can show the admissions committee that you have an interest and aptitude in different fields. I think this was one of the strong points in my application. 

It’s also important to choose your universities well in advance. Take their programs, activities, and focus into consideration when making your decision. After you’ve made your selection, your next task is to get well-acquainted with them. Knowing relevant information about your universities will come in handy during interviews and when you’re writing “Why this university?” essays in the application. 

American universities, unlike Bulgarian or even European ones, place great weight on extracurricular activities and community involvement. They want to accept you not just because of your grades, but because of who you really are as a person. So, your job is to show them. Attend competitions or Olympiads or anything else like that to showcase your skills, and engage with societal issues that you’re passionate about. Remember that all of your application elements have to align perfectly like puzzle pieces to form a bigger picture that represents the real you. 

Maybe everything I’ve said so far has intimidated you. But even though this process is time-consuming and arduous, believe me, it is incredibly rewarding. The hard part is sticking through it all the way to the end. I just hope that my experience and advice could lighten the burden and help you achieve your goals. Good luck!

* 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.

Kristabel Konta

American College of Sofia ‘20

EducationUSA Opportunity Funds-Bulgaria Grant Recipient

Dartmouth College, Class of 2024

My Way to Dartmouth: A Success Story

My name is Kristabel Konta, and I am one of the Dartmouth 24s, as we are called. The thought of this is just as incredible as the long way any student should go in order to get to their dream school.

I was born and raised in Sofia, Bulgaria and learned form a very young age what value does an international outlook hold. After spending seven years in a Russian school /133 rd Al. S. Pushkin/, I was admitted to the American College of Sofia with a full scholarship for the duration of my education. It is hard for me to synthesise all the benefits I received from studying at this high school, but here are those that brought me to EducationUSA at the Bulgarian-American Fulbright Commission and my  dream of studying at Dartmouth.

Ever since I set foot at ACS, I knew that your high school years are not simply the time to identify your interests but also to do your best to pursue them from early age. Among the extracurriculars that I had the chance to take part in, I learned that there are indeed many options to choose from both in and outside of the classroom, yet if you don’t find the place where you would fit in the most - create it. I created a club at ACS, a club through which I organized two editions of an event that was new for Bulgaria, and during every single college interview I had this club as one of the main topics. Admissions officers and alumni love to hear about how you have benefited from the already existing, but also what have you done when you haven’t found what you were looking for.

Jumping onto the application process - it began for me in Grade 11 when I became a part of the Opportunity Funds-Bulgaria Program at the Fulbright Commission*. This was the time when I attended visits by College reps, binge watched tons of online campus tours, and stalked their social media accounts. The time I invested in these activities was the reason why I was certain that my final college list was a reflection of what I hope to experience in my undergraduate studies. I attended all three one-week sessions of the Opportunity Funds-Bulgaria Program, and they prepared me not only for the college academic expectations for a competitive applicant, but I also got to see first-hand what it was to fill-in financial documents, write college application essays, participate in interviews and many more. Here I would like to add that these camps were just as professional as they were friendly and fun, and the memories and friends you make there have the full potential to become long-lasting.

However, regardless of the hours you spend working during the camps or the college presentations you attend, in the end everything is in your own hands and depends on the time during which you are committed to editing essays, seeking opportunities for interviews, and communicating with the Admissions office. I have to admit that it is hard (still not impossible) to complete all work in the Fall. Applications are indeed important, yet in order for them to be of the highest quality you need to keep a good academic record, which could be put at risk if you start juggling between school and college work in the middle of October. Please, write as many essays as possible in the summer :)

As much as applying is stressful and you hope to complete everything on time, believe me - waiting for the results of your work is harder. Never start doubting yourself during these times - you have poured your emotions in every single one of your applications, and the admissions officers will see it. March is the month of revelations with the Ivies coming out always in the very last days, but do your best not to focus your full attention on the upcoming results - this would cause you unnecessary anxiety.

In the end - believe in yourself . This whole process is hard to believe or forget, but it is always unquestionably worthy - you will learn much about yourself, draw some conclusions about your past, and find your goals for the future.

Here are some of my final tips:

·         if you are struggling to see yourself in a certain university, try contacting current students → they have the most recent experience to share with you;

·         for questions such as: What three words describe you?, ask your closest friends for suggestions → they have seen the most true side of you;

·         if you think that a certain activity is not that impressive as you have described it → don’t try to exaggerate your achievements, rather talk not only about what you did but also why you invested so much in doing it; let them see the purpose behind your decisions.

* 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.