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.