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Eighteen-Year-Old Student from Rio Grande do Sul Completes Three Years of Intensive Preparation, Secures a Spot at One of the Most Selective Universities in the World, and Will Have All Expenses Covered During College in the United States
When the computer screen finally loaded and the word “accepted” appeared, the silence in the room quickly turned to emotion. At 18 years old, student Mariana Chaves, a student at Colégio Militar de Santa Maria, discovered that she had been accepted with a full scholarship at Harvard University, one of the most competitive and prestigious higher education institutions in the world.
This achievement represents the culmination of at least three years of intensive preparation, marked by academic activities, extracurricular projects, and participation in social impact initiatives. In addition, the acceptance guaranteed the student a full scholarship, which covers expenses such as food, transportation, housing in university dormitories, and health insurance throughout her college education.
The confirmation of her spot was officially announced by the university itself. The information was shared by the portal g1, with confirmation from Harvard University, which stated that Mariana is among the Brazilian students accepted for the Harvard College Class of 2030, with classes starting in August, when she embarks for the United States.
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How the Admission Process Works for Harvard
Gaining admission to Harvard requires much more than good grades. According to official information from the university, the admissions committee evaluates various factors, such as academic performance in high school, leadership, social impact, and participation in relevant extracurricular activities.
During the last three years, Mariana built a competitive academic profile. Among the activities that strengthened her application are:
- Volunteering at the Interact Club, where she worked directly with vulnerable communities;
- Academic research, which sparked her interest in the economic field;
- Mentoring from the Fundação Estudar, which supported her throughout the application process;
- Participation in UN simulations, focused on diplomacy, negotiation, and public speaking.
According to Mariana, the UN simulations played an important role in her intellectual development. These meetings simulate international debates and put students in the role of representatives of different countries to discuss global issues and diplomatic solutions.
In addition to these activities, the application process also involves various formal steps. Among them are the submission of transcripts, letters of recommendation from teachers, personal essays, lists of extracurricular activities, and answers to supplementary questions from the university.
Another important detail is that Harvard does not require students to choose a major before admission, as the so-called concentration declaration — equivalent to the final choice of the area of study — takes place only in the second year of college.
Educational Journey Spanned Four Education Systems
Mariana’s educational journey stands out for having passed through four different educational models in Rio Grande do Sul.
In the early years of basic education, she studied at municipal public schools in the city of Santiago. Later, she attended part of middle school in the state system, and subsequently had experience in the private sector.
Finally, she completed high school at Colégio Militar de Santa Maria, an institution that offers various academic projects and complementary activities aimed at developing leadership and critical thinking.
According to the student, each of these experiences contributed to broaden her worldview.
From public school, she claims to have learned about social diversity and coexisting with different realities, something that later influenced her decision to participate in volunteer activities.
At Colégio Militar, Mariana found opportunities to engage in academic projects, student clubs, and educational trips, initiatives that helped strengthen her international resume.
The Dream of Studying at Harvard Began in Middle School
The desire to apply for a spot at an American university emerged early on. Mariana recounts that she first heard about the admissions process for international universities while in 8th grade.
However, it was only in the 9th grade that she decided to turn this dream into a concrete goal.
One of her inspirations was a former student from Colégio Militar de Santa Maria who had been accepted to Harvard years earlier, showing that the path, although difficult, was possible.
From that moment on, Mariana began to build a competitive resume, investing in academic activities, research projects, and social impact initiatives that demonstrated not only academic performance but also purpose and leadership.
Even so, she admits that the process was challenging.
According to the student, the pathway to foreign universities is still little known in many areas of Brazil, especially in the countryside.
Therefore, during the process, she also decided to take the ENEM and Brazilian entrance exams, ensuring alternatives in case international acceptance didn’t materialize.
Balancing Study, Friendships, and Mental Health
During the preparation period for the application, Mariana adopted a strategy she considers essential for success: balancing academic dedication with personal life.
Although she studied intensively during the week, she set aside time for rest, leisure, and spending time with friends on weekends.
For the young woman, this balance was crucial for maintaining mental health and motivation throughout such a competitive process.
Moreover, the support from her family also played a decisive role in her achievement.
From an early age, her parents encouraged her involvement in extracurricular activities, academic projects, and social impact initiatives, creating a solid foundation for her education.
Now, with her move to the United States scheduled for August, a new challenge begins: living away from her family while starting college at one of the most prestigious universities in the world.
Future Plans Include Public Policy and Social Impact
At Harvard, Mariana intends to study Government and Economics, areas that piqued her interest during high school.
A significant experience was her participation in a behavioral economics research conducted by the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), which helped solidify her interest in the field.
Despite the international opportunity, the student asserts that she has a clear goal for the future: returning to Brazil after graduation.
Her plan is to work in the field of public policy, particularly on issues related to public budgeting, transparency, and economic management, with a focus on improving people’s lives.
According to her, the purpose is to utilize the knowledge gained to impact lives through economics.
Repercussions on Social Media Surprised the Student
Following the announcement of her acceptance, Mariana started receiving numerous messages from students across the country.
Many of these messages came from girls studying in public schools seeking information on how to study abroad.
While she is still processing the magnitude of her achievement, the young woman states she intends to help other students interested in following the same path.
According to Mariana, making this process more accessible and understandable for other Brazilians can open doors for new similar stories in the future.
Stories like Mariana’s show that it is possible to go far. In your opinion, what is missing for more young Brazilians to follow this path?
Oportunidade, acesso, apoio e pessoas dispostas a ajudar fazem toda a diferença nessa trajetória difícil, porém possível.