Harvard has long recognized the importance of enrolling a diverse student body. How will the life experiences that shape who you are today enable you to contribute to Harvard?

Even though my mother attempts to be quiet, the clinking of pots banging always wakes me up. I always wonder when she begins her day, as she wakes before the household and lays her head to rest after everyone else. Although she never finished middle school, she values education and always helps us prepare for school in the morning. I remember being trapped at school for most of the year due to street violence in Guinea. Despite the danger, my mother always picked me up and brought me home safely.  Equally inspiring, my father was the first in his city in Guinea to graduate from college. He worked at a plantation for five years before schooling to fund his studies. After attending school, he changed into his uniform only after completing the hour-long walk. My mother’s care for my family and my father’s journey to success encouraged me to keep trying despite hardships and obstacles. After all, rien n’est impossible.

As a child, school proved challenging as I had difficulty speaking, even in my native language of Fulani. My parents spoke over five languages, including Malinke, Susu, Krio, Toma, and Kissi; they all confused me. I spoke a combination of my parents’ dialects, incomprehensible to most of my classmates. I often had to repeat myself multiple times for others to understand me, discouraging me, especially as the youngest in my classes. However, I never quit school, nor did I allow the mockery to get to me because I knew how much my parents had sacrificed.

To overcome my language barrier, I interned with my math teacher and assisted with teaching. Initially, I helped my classmates with their homework and explained complicated concepts. Their positive feedback and respectful attitudes toward me boosted my confidence and encouraged me to continue teaching. After five months of hard work, all my students passed their regional exams. I smirked in satisfaction of both my students and myself for our dedication and effort. This internship helped me improve my communication and vocabulary, enhanced my math, and allowed me to contribute to the community.

After some time, seeking a better life and education, my family and I journeyed from Guinea to Senegal to secure U.S. visas. At fifteen, when we arrived in Senegal, I stepped up and took charge of the process as my father remained in Guinea to work. I accepted the difficult task of managing our expenses and travel costs despite the enormous difference in currency. I used the mathematical skills I learned in school and from the internship to determine our expenses by converting the West African CFA (Senegal) to the Guinea Franc. I scheduled appointments and prepared my brothers for the visa interview. The process proved long and painful, but I ensured we did things correctly, and growing up in a multilingual family allowed me to assimilate effectively. My experience in Dakar helped enhance my leadership abilities, resulting in my family and I migrating to the United States.

However, adjusting to America without my father was challenging. Because I did not speak English, my school placed me in an English language learner program. Motivated to attend a prestigious university and become a great civil engineer, I knew I had to work harder to test out of this program and further challenge myself academically to honor my parents’ efforts. Within a month of settling into my new community, I discovered the Thomas Crane Public Library, which became my sanctuary. I spent hours poring over books, studying hard, and successfully tested out of Algebra 1, 2, and Geometry. I also used my language skills to translate at a local food pantry, form camaraderie, and drive positive change in my new community.

Now, every morning, at five, my mom gets awakened by the noise of my mouse and keyboard, the flipping pages of books, and videos of Calculus courses despite my efforts to work silently.

Sublement essays

“Draw a self-portrait,” my English teacher instructed. I hesitated, wondering whether to depict myself as the confident adolescent I am now or the boy from Guinea who has undergone significant changes since arriving in Quincy two years ago. My upbringing in Guinea instilled a strong sense of self-confidence and a drive for perfection. But my move to America introduced me to the humility of asking for help and embracing my imperfections.

Growing up in Guinea, I was ranked third in my class and always expected to excel. This pressure for perfection made it difficult for me to admit mistakes or seek assistance. However, when I moved to the U.S., I faced unfamiliar challenges, including living with my previously unknown sisters and learning a new language. I felt alone and lost in my first months, realizing I couldn’t navigate this new world without help.

I experienced a turning point when I passed the MCAS exam and began taking Honor and AP courses, but despite my academic success, I still struggled to communicate with peers due to my heavy accent. It was then that an Albanian friend began correcting my English, initially causing resentment but eventually leading to gratitude. Through his guidance, I learned to appreciate the talents of others and the value of humility.

Now, I proudly embrace my dual identity: a young man who strives for perfection while acknowledging the need for help from both adults and peers, harmonizing the two contrasting faces in my self-portrait.