My Journey by Yonas Nuguse - Harvard '29 PDF

My Educational Background Before Joining KSHS

Hello everyone, my name is Yonas Nuguse. I was born and raised in Shire Endaselassie,

Tigray. My educational journey before joining Kallamino Special High School began at

Don Bosco Primary School, where I completed my studies from grade one through grade

eight. Throughout those years, I consistently ranked at the top of my class. When I took

the regional grade eight exam, I scored an average of 90.4—the highest in my city.

Following that, I sat for the Kallamino Special High School entrance exam and was

accepted into the school.

First Impressions of Kallamino

When I ﬁrst arrived at Kallamino Special High School, I was both excited and nervous.

Leaving my home at the age of 14 and stepping into a completely different environment

was overwhelming. The adjustment to a completely new environment away from home

was a signiﬁcant transition. It took some time to adapt and focus on my studies amidst

this unfamiliar setting. However, it didn’t take long for me to recognize that Kallamino

had a strong academic culture and students driven to achieve their goals. I quickly saw

it as a place where I could grow both academically and personally. I was placed in a

dorm with seven other students from different parts of the region. I really enjoyed the

experience, because it gave me the chance to spend a lot of time with my friends. Living

together also taught me valuable lessons in tolerance and understanding.

My Experience at Kallamino

My experience at Kallamino Special High School was anything but ordinary. It was ﬁlled

with unexpected challenges and memorable moments. From 2010 to 2011 EC, I

successfully completed grades 9 and 10. At the end of grade 10, I sat for the national

exam, which, coincidentally, turned out to be the last nationwide grade 10 exam

administered before signiﬁcant changes in the education system. In the exam, I

managed to achieve a 4.0 GPA with all A’s in 10 subjects.

And during my grade 11 second semester studies, the COVID-19 pandemic broke out,

forcing all students to return home. Not long after, the Tigray war erupted, causing a

complete disruption of the education system. As a result, I was out of school for more

than three years. These years were ﬁlled with uncertainty and diﬃculty, but I never let go

of my academic aspirations.

Thanks to the incredible efforts of the Tigray Development Association (TDA) and the

dedicated staff of Kallamino Special High School, we were ﬁnally able to resume our

studies in July 2023. Despite the long interruption, we pressed on with determination

and completed grade 12. I took the Ethiopian Secondary School Leaving Certiﬁcate

Examination (ESSLCE) and scored 675 out of 700—an all-time high score in the country.

Scoring 675 on the national exam was a proud moment, and I left Kallamino with

knowledge and with better hope for my future.

How I secured admission to Harvard, Columbia, and Amherst

My journey to being admitted to three prestigious U.S. institutions - Harvard, Columbia,

and Amherst - was anything but smooth. It was ﬁlled with ups and downs, moments of

doubt, and unexpected triumphs.

It all began when I took the SAT in October and scored 1470, with a 770 in Evidence-

Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and 700 in Math. While I was proud of this score, I

knew it wouldn’t be competitive enough for the most selective schools. Still, I decided to

apply to Williams College through Early Decision (ED). On December 13, I received my

decision—it was a deferral. That news was disappointing, but it motivated me to try

again.

In December, I retook the SAT and improved my score to 1540 (740 EBRW / 800 Math).

My super score ended up being 1570, which gave me a real shot at top schools. I

expanded my list and ended up applying to 20 colleges.

I submitted an Early Decision II application to NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), and on January

21, I was invited to attend their in-person Candidate Weekend. Unfortunately, due to

passport issues, I couldn’t attend. That felt like a major missed opportunity, and for a

while, I worried it would cost me my chance of studying abroad.

But things started to shift. In February, I began receiving interview invitations from

schools like Harvard, Dartmouth, and Colby, and my hope slowly returned. Still, the

rejections came - 11 in a row - and each one made me question if I’d get into any of the

colleges I had worked so hard to apply to.

Then came my ﬁrst big breakthrough: an acceptance from Amherst College, the second-

best liberal arts college in the U.S. That alone felt like a huge accomplishment and gave

me renewed conﬁdence.

Finally, Ivy Day arrived—the day when Ivy League schools released their decisions. I had

applied to ﬁve Ivies: Yale, UPenn, Dartmouth, Columbia, and Harvard. The day unfolded

like an emotional rollercoaster: ﬁrst, a rejection from Yale… then a waitlist from UPenn…

another rejection from Dartmouth… but then - an acceptance from Columbia! That alone

was more than I had dared to hope for.

And then came the ﬁnal decision: Harvard. I opened the portal, and to my absolute

disbelief, I had been accepted. I was over the moon. I couldn’t believe that after

everything—the uncertainty, the setbacks, the waiting—I had made it.

This journey has taught me how to navigate college applications and the power of

believing in myself even when things didn’t go as planned. From a deferral and a missed

opportunity to a wave of rejections, there were many moments when giving up seemed

easier. But every setback prepared me for the breakthrough that was waiting: getting

accepted into Amherst, Columbia, and ultimately Harvard. If there’s one thing I’ve

learned, it’s that your path doesn’t have to be perfect to lead you to something

extraordinary.

Who Guided and Supported Me Throughout the Scholarship Process

Throughout the scholarship and college application process, I was fortunate to have the

support and guidance of so many amazing people. First and foremost, my family

played a huge role, and they constantly encouraged me to push myself and to dream

beyond what seemed possible.

I also had the support of close friends, especially Mulatu, with whom I applied side by

side, and Abel, who ended up getting into UPenn and UMiami. Abel was particularly

helpful during my interview preparation for Harvard and Dartmouth, and his advice and

encouragement made a big difference. Beyond the practical help, my friends were also

there for me emotionally. During the stressful waiting periods and moments of self-

doubt, they reminded me of my potential and helped me stay grounded and hopeful.

My school counselor, Mr. Tagay Zebene, was incredibly supportive throughout the

journey, guiding me through different aspects of the application process and always

being available when I needed help.

But one person who went above and beyond was Professor Fetien Abera. She

generously covered the cost of my SAT and TOEFL exams, regularly checked in on my

progress, and was genuinely overjoyed when I started receiving my acceptance -

probably even more excited than I was, haha!

I’m also deeply grateful to Mr. Fistum, who covered the expenses for my second SAT

exam in December. Without their belief in me and their generosity, this journey would

have been much harder. Their support lifted the ﬁnancial burden and also reminded me

that I wasn’t alone in this process.

Final Thoughts

Looking back, I often think about how none of this would have been possible if I hadn’t

attended Kallamino Special High School. The friendships I made there were invaluable,

and they were there through the toughest moments. The teachers and staff guided and

pushed me to aim higher. Kallamino’s academic environment helped me grow, but it was

the people I met along the way who truly shaped my journey. Without Kallamino, I

wouldn't have had the foundation or the support to achieve what I have today. And for

Overview

My Journey by Yonas Nuguse - Harvard '29

Yonas Nuguse shares his inspiring journey from Shire Endaselassie to gaining admission at Harvard University. This narrative explores his educational background, challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact of the Tigray war on his studies. Highlighting his academic achievements, including a perfect score on the Ethiopian Secondary School Leaving Certificate Examination, Yonas reflects on the support he received from family, friends, and educators throughout his application process. This account serves as motivation for students aspiring to pursue higher education in the U.S. Key Points Yonas Nuguse details his educational journey from Don Bosco Primary School to Kallamino Special High School. He achieved a remarkable score of 675 out of 700 on the Ethiopian Secondar…

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FAQs

what is My Journey by Yonas Nuguse about

My Journey by Yonas Nuguse details the author's educational experiences and personal growth leading to his acceptance into prestigious universities.

It covers his early education at Don Bosco Primary School.
Yonas shares challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Tigray war.
He highlights his academic achievements, including a high score on the Ethiopian Secondary School Leaving Certificate Examination.
The essay also discusses his college application journey, culminating in admissions to Harvard, Columbia, and Amherst.

what are the key achievements in My Journey by Yonas Nuguse

In My Journey by Yonas Nuguse, several key achievements stand out, showcasing his academic excellence and resilience.

Scored an average of 90.4 in the regional grade eight exam, the highest in his city.
Achieved a 4.0 GPA with all A’s in the national grade 10 exam.
Obtained a remarkable score of 675 out of 700 in the Ethiopian Secondary School Leaving Certificate Examination.
Secured admissions to Harvard, Columbia, and Amherst, demonstrating his strong college application performance.

how did Yonas Nuguse get into Harvard

Yonas Nuguse's acceptance into Harvard was a result of his academic dedication and strategic approach to college applications.

He initially scored 1470 on the SAT and later improved to 1540, enhancing his competitiveness.
Yonas applied to multiple colleges, including an Early Decision application to Williams College.
Despite facing rejections, he remained resilient and ultimately received acceptance from Harvard, along with other prestigious institutions.
His journey emphasizes perseverance and the importance of self-belief during challenging times.

what challenges did Yonas Nuguse face in his education

Yonas Nuguse faced significant challenges during his educational journey, particularly due to external circumstances.

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted his studies during grade 11.
The Tigray war caused a prolonged interruption in the education system, leaving him out of school for over three years.
During this time, he experienced uncertainty and difficulty but maintained his academic aspirations.
Support from the Tigray Development Association and Kallamino Special High School staff helped him resume his studies.

what is the significance of Kallamino Special High School in Yonas Nuguse's journey

Kallamino Special High School played a crucial role in Yonas Nuguse's educational and personal development.

It provided a strong academic environment that fostered growth and achievement.
Yonas formed valuable friendships that supported him through tough times.
The school staff encouraged him to aim higher and guided him through various challenges.
His experiences at Kallamino laid the foundation for his later successes in college applications.

how did Yonas Nuguse prepare for the SAT

Yonas Nuguse's preparation for the SAT was a key factor in his college admissions success.

He initially took the SAT in October, scoring 1470, which he later improved to 1540 after retaking it.
Focused study on Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, as well as Math, helped him achieve a super score of 1570.
He received guidance from friends and mentors during his preparation, which boosted his confidence.
Yonas's strategic approach to studying and retaking the exam demonstrates the importance of persistence in academic endeavors.

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