CONGRATULATIONS — NEXT DESTINATION: MOHAMMED AL-KHAYYAT
We’re proud to celebrate Mohammed Al-Khayyat on his outstanding university acceptances. In this Q&A, Mohammed shares his experience, challenges, and advice for future applicants.
Which universities have you been accepted to?
UPenn, Oxford, and Imperial.
What course/major will you be studying?
Neuroscience or Biology.
What inspired you to apply to this/these universities?
High academic excellence, a good social environment, and high standards when it comes to learning. Also, they have great names and good alumni networks post-uni.
What do you think made your application stand out? (e.g. grades, extracurriculars, projects)
For the UK, I think it was my grades, whereas in the U.S., I think the biggest factor was the essays I wrote.
What was the most challenging part of the application process?
Essays — they take ages. I recommend you exaggerate achievements; it’s something I didn’t do but wish I did.
What study habits or techniques helped you succeed?
Straight up writing notes. Just rewrite everything you don’t remember each time before a test, and then sleep well.
One tip you would give to students applying next year?
Exaggerate. You’re already at a disadvantage and almost everyone is gonna lie. So pull as many strings as you can. I wish I did.
What was your reaction when you got your offer? (Be honest 😄)
Oxford — pretty happy. Rejection from some unis hurts though, so make sure you’re ready for it.
What are you most excited about at university?
Meeting new people and seeing the world.
One message to younger students at NAS:
Study what you’re passionate about — don’t chase the money, it’ll come on its own. No one gets to choose what kind of life you should live; that choice is down to you. Regardless of where you are in your journey, so long as you’re working to make yourself better every single day, you’re successful.