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Public School Student from the Federal District Reports Intensive Routine, International Selection Process with Essays and In-Person Interviews, Besides Conciliation with Brazilian Entrance Exams, Until Winning Full Scholarship Estimated at R$ 2 Million for Graduation in Neuroscience in the United States.
The Brasília student Ana Beatriz Araujo Santa Cruz Goyanna, 17, was approved to study neuroscience at Harvard University in the United States, with a full scholarship estimated at around R$ 2 million.
The young woman is a student at a public school in the Federal District, and her journey was detailed in a report published by the portal Metrópoles, which followed the selection process and spoke with the student about the challenges faced until approval.
Known as Bia, Ana Beatriz reported in an interview with Metrópoles that the selection process of the American university differs significantly from traditional entrance exams in Brazil.
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According to her, the evaluation goes beyond grades and considers a broad set of academic and personal factors, including extracurricular activities, awards, and in-person interviews.
Selection Process at Harvard and Evaluation Criteria
According to a report by Metrópoles, the application required the submission of several essays, in addition to participating in interviews in the United States.
Ana Beatriz explained that these steps aim to allow the university to understand the student’s journey and how they can contribute to the academic community.
One of the central points of the process, according to the student, is the SAT, a standardized test administered in the United States that assesses knowledge in English and mathematics.
The score obtained must be sent to universities as part of the application dossier, serving as one of the criteria for analyzing academic performance.
In addition to the exam, the essays have significant weight.
“Additionally, there are several specific essays about the university, to tell your story,” the young woman said, explaining that each institution requests original texts, with questions directed at the candidate’s profile and motivations.
Intensive Study Routine and Conciliation with Entrance Exams in Brazil
In an interview with Metrópoles, Ana Beatriz shared that, even while focused on international applications, she did not neglect her preparation for Brazilian entrance exams.
The student said that she attended regular classes in the morning and used the afternoon to produce the essays required by foreign universities, in addition to organizing documents and academic information.
In the second semester, the routine became even more intense.
According to the newspaper, she also attended preparatory classes from 4 PM to 9 PM, while participating in extracurricular projects.
“I kept studying for Brazil. So, I had class in the morning, in the afternoon I had to manage the time to write the essays… I also participated in projects and I also took preparatory classes in that second semester from 4 PM to 9 PM,” she reported.
When talking about the impact of this schedule, the student acknowledged that the period was marked by extreme fatigue.
“I confess that it was a bit overwhelming, often not so healthy. So, this year had few hours of sleep, some nights I slept 3 hours, 4 hours,” she said, in a statement reproduced by Metrópoles.
Still, she stated that she tried to maintain a feasible balance to meet school requirements and not compromise her academic performance in Brazil, even in the face of different deadlines and formats between educational systems.
Evaluation Beyond Grades and Academic History
According to a report by Metrópoles, the student emphasized that the selection model adopted by universities in the United States seeks to understand the candidate comprehensively.
Grades are analyzed, but not in isolation.
The process also considers involvement in extracurricular activities, social projects, academic competitions, and other awards.
“We also have extracurricular activities. There’s also the awards part, where you send the awards you’ve received, so the university can see how you can contribute as a whole, both personally and academically,” Ana Beatriz stated to the newspaper.
This collection of information, according to her, helps the institution evaluate not only academic potential but also personal profile and the impact that the student can generate both inside and outside the university.
Full Scholarship, Start of the Course, and Repercussion
Metrópoles also noted that Ana Beatriz recorded the moment when she received the approval confirmation.
She is expected to start her neuroscience course in August 2026.
The scholarship fully covers the costs of graduation, enabling the student to remain in the United States throughout the course.
The story went viral on social media and reignited the debate about access for public school students to prestigious international universities.
The discussion about the necessary conditions for such a journey to become more common was also brought back to the forefront.
Message for Those Who Dream of Studying Abroad
When asked by Metrópoles what she would say to other young people who wish to study abroad, Ana Beatriz stated that the selection process seeks to identify genuine interests and areas of impact.
“This world of studying abroad wants to know about what you like, what your area of impact is, what your passion is,” she said.
She added that, although the advice may seem repetitive, she believes it makes a difference for those who intend to embark on that path.
“So, follow your dreams. This phrase may sound clichéd, but it’s true,” she asserted.
With her approval and full scholarship confirmed, the student’s account highlights the demands of the international selection process and broadens the debate on academic preparation, institutional support, and the physical and emotional limits imposed on young candidates.
How can public schools and educational networks guide students interested in universities abroad without turning their effort into exhausting routines?
Its so sad. No Americans first.
Qual foi a escola pública que ela estudou ?
Pelo visto é aquele seleto grupo que estuda na pública apenas pela cota escola pública, porque alguém que fez viagens para os EUA, como ela mesma disse na reportagem, não é uma pessoa pobre, muito menos carente. No começo da reportagem fiquei: “caraca, a menina é pobre e passou em Havard, aí depois que li que ela fez viagens para os EUA e participou de entrevistas caiu a ficha.
“…podem orientar estudantes interessados em universidades no exterior sem transformar o esforço em rotinas exaustivas?“
É justamente pela rotina exaustiva que ela conquistou a vaga. Vocês precisam entender que não existe vitória sem sacrifício.
Questiono o substrato desse “sacrifício” que ela não alegou fazer.
Para um CLT estudar é sacrifício, para um abastado, é só mais hobby desafiador e divertido, e para um estudante de média classe, é obrigação filial.