Why I Chose a Peer Advisor Who'd Been Through It Abroad

By Aisha K. (not her real name), Undergraduate Student from Nigeria

The decision to apply to schools in the U.S. wasn’t mine alone. My uncle, who had attended graduate school in Chicago, always encouraged me to think beyond Nigeria's borders. But the application process? It felt completely foreign.

I was attending a public secondary school where teachers were stretched thin and had limited knowledge of U.S. college admissions. To be honest, I didn’t even know where to start. Everything about the process—college essays, recommendation letters, financial aid—felt like a tangled web.

That's when I found peer advising. I connected with Chris (not his real name), a student from Ghana who had just completed his first year at a liberal arts college in New England. Chris wasn’t just knowledgeable about the U.S. system—he understood my unique perspective. His background made him an ideal fit for guiding me through the process.

Chris understood the doubts that international students often face. We talked about whether I should mention my role in caring for my younger siblings, or if it would hurt my chances to admit that I hadn’t done an internship due to helping out at my family’s shop during school breaks. In Nigerian culture, we don’t always talk about our accomplishments. So, writing essays that centered around me was hard. Chris reassured me that my story mattered—how the responsibilities I had at home showcased my resilience and maturity, qualities that U.S. colleges highly value.

More than anything, he emphasized the importance of showing my authentic self. We brainstormed ways to demonstrate my initiative—such as my involvement in local community development programs—and my dedication to my studies despite facing challenges. He helped me understand how these qualities aligned with the values American universities look for, helping me frame my experiences in a compelling way.

One of the biggest hurdles I faced was the financial aid process. I knew that most American colleges didn’t offer financial aid to international students. What I didn’t know was that some did. Chris walked me through the financial aid application process step by step, even helping me request fee waivers. He pointed me toward schools that were generous with aid and more inclusive of international students. He also showed me which schools would offer merit-based scholarships, and which had more flexible policies for international students like me.

I had no idea that there were colleges that would consider me not just as an academic candidate, but as someone who could contribute to the diversity of the student body in meaningful ways. Chris helped me realize that it wasn’t just about grades or test scores—it was about telling my story in a way that was true to who I was.

When it came time for interviews, Chris role-played with me, helping me practice how to talk confidently about my experiences. Speaking about myself was awkward at first, but with Chris's patient encouragement, I slowly began to feel more comfortable. The tips he shared about handling common interview questions made me feel prepared and empowered.

Without Chris, I would have struggled to navigate all the complexities of the U.S. college application process. Peer advising made the difference in my approach. It didn’t just help me with the technicalities of the application, but it helped me build the confidence to believe I belonged in those universities, regardless of where I came from.

The results spoke for themselves. I received offers from three top universities, one of which I was thought I was highly unlikely to get into. But the most valuable outcome was something more intangible: I learned how to tell my story in a way that felt authentic to me.

Thanks to peer advising, I didn’t just apply to college—I applied with a sense of pride, knowing that my background and experiences were not barriers, but strengths. I was ready to step into a new world, not as an outsider, but as someone with a unique perspective to share.