Devon Blog

Tag: acceptance letters

  • Everyone Else on Reddit Sounded So Sure—But I Was Lost

    By Jamil H. (not his real name), International Student from Egypt

    As an international student, I felt a mix of excitement and fear when I started considering applying to U.S. universities. There was so much I didn’t know, and I constantly felt like I was a step behind my peers. I had always done well academically, but the college application process in the U.S. was a whole different world. I didn’t have anyone in my family who had gone through it, and most of my friends in Egypt were either applying to local universities or pursuing careers right after high school.

    In my quest for information, I turned to Reddit, thinking it would be the perfect place to find tips and advice from other students who had already been through the process. I’d read threads where applicants seemed so sure of themselves—some even knew exactly which universities they wanted to apply to and had already started working on their essays months in advance. They spoke with confidence about SAT scores, recommendation letters, and even the finer details of application strategies.

    I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed. Here I was, struggling to understand what I was supposed to do, while others were talking like they had everything figured out. The advice on Reddit ranged from overly optimistic to downright intimidating. The more I read, the more lost I felt.

    That’s when I realized I needed more than just general advice—I needed a personalized guide, someone who could answer my specific questions, someone who had walked the path before me and understood what I was experiencing. I needed a peer advisor.

    Through my school, I was matched with Lara (not her real name), a peer advisor who had successfully applied to universities in the U.S. a couple of years prior. She was from Pakistan and had faced similar struggles while applying to college as an international student. From our first conversation, I could tell that she understood exactly where I was coming from. She didn’t just throw generic advice at me; she took the time to listen and offer guidance tailored to my situation.

    Lara’s approach was entirely different from the overwhelming advice I had read on Reddit. She didn’t assume that I knew everything about U.S. colleges; instead, she patiently explained the basics of the application process. For example, I was initially confused about which tests I needed to take. I had heard about the SAT, but I also kept seeing mention of the ACT, and I wasn’t sure which was better. Lara helped me understand the differences and gave me a strategy for deciding which test to take based on my strengths and weaknesses. She also explained that some schools had made the SAT optional, which saved me a lot of stress.

    What stood out most to me was Lara’s focus on helping me craft an authentic application. I had struggled with my personal statement. Back in Egypt, we were taught to focus strictly on academics, so writing about myself felt uncomfortable. I had no idea how to balance showcasing my academic abilities with telling a story about who I was as a person. On Reddit, everyone seemed to have an easy time with their essays, but I couldn’t even start mine. Lara helped me see that my unique experiences were valuable. She encouraged me to write about the challenges I faced growing up in Egypt and how they shaped who I am today. That advice gave me the confidence to tell my story authentically, which ultimately made my essays stand out.

    Another aspect of the application process that I struggled with was navigating the financial aid options as an international student. Many posts on Reddit mentioned financial aid, but they mostly focused on U.S. citizens or residents. As an international applicant, I felt like I was on my own. Lara, however, was extremely knowledgeable about the schools that offered merit-based scholarships for international students, and she helped me identify a few options that I hadn’t considered before. She also explained how to handle financial aid applications, ensuring that I didn’t miss any important steps. I was relieved to learn that some universities offered substantial aid to international students, which eased my concerns about how to finance my education.

    Throughout the process, Lara also helped me manage the emotional rollercoaster of applying to schools abroad. There were times when I doubted myself—especially when I compared my progress to the confident Reddit posts from others. Lara reassured me that I was on the right track. She reminded me that it was normal to feel lost and uncertain, especially as an international applicant. Knowing that I wasn’t alone in these feelings was incredibly comforting.

    By the time I submitted my applications, I felt much more confident in my journey. I had a clear understanding of what U.S. universities were looking for, I knew which tests I needed to take, and I felt good about the essays I submitted. Lara had provided me with a roadmap, and I could see the path ahead clearly, whereas before, it had felt like an impossible maze.

    When the acceptance letters came, I was overjoyed. I had been accepted into several of my top choices, including one that offered a significant scholarship. But more than the acceptance letters, what I valued most was the sense of empowerment that came from having a mentor who truly understood my challenges.

    Looking back, I realize that the advice I found on Reddit wasn’t wrong—it was just overwhelming and often too general. What I needed was someone who could help me navigate the specifics of my situation, someone who had been in my shoes and could offer personalized guidance. Peer advising helped me find my confidence, my voice, and ultimately, my place in the U.S. college system.

    If you’re feeling lost in the sea of online advice, I highly recommend reaching out to a peer advisor. at Pathways. It’s not just about getting into college—it’s about feeling confident in your path and knowing that you have someone in your corner who has been through it all. Peer advisors are there to help you turn uncertainty into clarity, and they can make all the difference in your college application journey.

  • Peer Coaching Helped My Parents Understand, Too

    By Amina K. (not her real name), Undergraduate Student from Pakistan

    When I decided to apply to universities in the United States, I was excited—excited to explore new opportunities, to challenge myself academically, and to step into a world that seemed so different from my home in Pakistan. However, there was a huge obstacle in my path: my parents.

    It’s not that my parents didn’t want me to pursue higher education abroad—they did. But they had never been to the United States themselves. They didn’t know how the admissions process worked. In fact, they didn’t even understand the basic concepts of what I needed to do: SAT scores, essays, interviews, financial aid—it all seemed like an insurmountable mountain to them. Even though I wanted this, they were scared. They couldn’t comprehend the complexities of what I was trying to navigate.

    I vividly remember long nights spent explaining the U.S. college system to my parents. I would tell them about deadlines, requirements, and what I needed to prepare, but they would get confused or frustrated. They wanted to be supportive, but they just didn’t have the context or knowledge to understand what I was saying. It wasn’t just a language barrier—it was the culture gap, too. The American way of higher education was so different from anything they had known.

    That’s when I found peer coaching. Through Pathways, I was connected with Lila (not her real name), a peer coach who was a student at a prestigious university in the U.S. She had gone through the same journey of applying as an international student, and she understood exactly what I was experiencing. But what I didn’t expect was that Lila’s guidance didn’t just help me—it helped my parents, too.

    When we first connected, I wasn’t sure how she would be able to help with my specific situation. I had a lot of logistical questions about how to write my essays and what schools I should apply to, but I was also struggling with my parents’ concerns. Lila was incredibly empathetic, listening patiently as I shared the challenges I faced with my family. After hearing my story, she offered a unique solution: “Why don’t I talk to your parents directly?”

    At first, I was skeptical. How would a conversation between Lila and my parents help? They didn’t speak English fluently, and they were understandably nervous about a system they didn’t understand. But Lila’s offer gave me hope. We set up a Zoom call where Lila patiently walked my parents through the entire application process—from what an SAT score was to the differences between financial aid and scholarships. She explained how American universities selected students and why extracurricular activities were so important.

    But most importantly, she explained that the process was not a “one size fits all” approach. There were universities with different financial aid policies, and that it wasn’t just about getting into the top-tier schools—it was about finding the right fit. This approach, this reassurance that we had options, put my parents’ minds at ease. They saw that this wasn’t some unattainable dream but a process that could be navigated with the right support.

    Lila also made it clear to my parents that applying to U.S. colleges as an international student wasn’t as simple as filling out a form—it required research and effort. But hearing it from someone who had been in their shoes made all the difference. She told them about the challenges she faced as an international student, her journey with the visa process, and the financial hurdles she overcame. Her success story made them feel like it was possible for me too. They no longer saw my decision as a far-off fantasy but as something grounded in reality.

    The conversation with Lila didn’t just address the technicalities of applying to college—it helped bridge a massive gap between my parents’ concerns and the practical steps I needed to take. I watched as my parents’ anxiety turned into cautious optimism. They started asking questions about schools and financial aid options they had never even considered before.

    What I also appreciated was that Lila encouraged my parents to be actively involved in my college search. In our subsequent calls, she reminded me to involve my parents in the process, helping them understand that their support would make a huge difference. She also emphasized that even though the system was different from what they knew, the principles behind it—hard work, determination, and a willingness to learn—were the same everywhere.

    In the end, the peer coaching experience wasn’t just about helping me get into college; it was about empowering my parents to understand the entire process and to be confident in my ability to navigate it. It helped all of us realize that while the unknown can be overwhelming, with the right guidance, it’s possible to break it down and make it manageable.

    When the acceptance letters started coming in, my parents were the first to celebrate. They had come to trust the process because they now understood it. They had seen firsthand how someone who had been where I was—someone from a similar background—had successfully navigated the same journey.

    Looking back, I realize how important it was for my family to feel included in this decision. It wasn’t just my future at stake; it was our collective understanding of how to take this leap together. And without peer coaching, I’m not sure that understanding would have ever fully taken root.

    If you’re an international student, don’t be afraid to ask for help. You’re not just navigating a system that’s unfamiliar to you; you’re navigating it for your entire family. Peer coaching is a way to make that process smoother, not just for you but for the people who support you the most. It can give everyone the tools and confidence to make your dreams a reality—together.

  • I had Never Set Foot in America—But My Peer Coach Helped Me Feel at Home

    By Lian T. (not her real name), First-Year Student from Vietnam

    I still remember how surreal it felt when I first considered applying to a university in the United States. I had never visited. I didn’t have family there. All I knew about the U.S. came from Hollywood movies and the occasional online article. The application portals, essay prompts, and even the idea of “extracurriculars” felt foreign. My parents were supportive, but they had no idea what the Common App was, and neither did my high school teachers.

    That’s when I met Sophie (not her real name), a peer advisor studying at a liberal arts college in the Midwest. She was Korean American and had grown up in California, but she had worked with several international students before. Our first Zoom call lasted over an hour. She didn’t just explain deadlines or how to list activities; she asked about me. What I enjoyed. What I was proud of. Where I felt out of place.

    She helped me realize that my volunteer work teaching English to rural kids wasn’t just a kind thing I did—it was leadership. It was impact. That shift in mindset changed everything. Sophie didn’t just tell me what to write; she helped me understand why my story mattered.

    Through our sessions, I learned how to present myself authentically while still aligning with what American schools look for. We reviewed my essays, talked through my interview jitters, and even practiced how to email admissions officers (a thing I didn’t know students actually did!).

    When the acceptance letters came, I had choices. I chose a school that valued community, offered support for international students, and had the same warmth I felt from Sophie. I haven’t stepped foot on campus yet—visa delays are still real—but I already feel like I belong.