Letters From America
These letters seek to address the tasks and responsibilities Usap students face at a particular stage of their Usap year. While most of the content is Zimbabwe-centric, the letters can be very useful to all students around the world who are thinking of or are in the process of applying to colleges and universities in the US. We hope that our efforts will help you in some way. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or feedback. Thank you.
Regards,
Table of Contents
Volume 1: Introductory Letter
Application Tips
Writings and the essay
Volume 2: The New Year!
Volume 3: Keep In Touch
Volume 4: The Decisions Start Coming
Volume 5: Days of Reckoning
Volume 1: November 24, 2008: The Introductory Letter
Dear amazing Usap students in the class of 2013,
Greetings and love to you. Welcome to a new innovation, and what we hope will become a lasting tradition in Usap – the sharing of experiences and ideas about the great Usap journey through advising. But before we delve much into this very important letter, may we inform you that above all things we seek to help you realize opportunity that you have been given by the Usap program, what you should expect in the year ahead, what is expected of you and also the challenges ahead. Because we were also fresh-faced high school kids like you just a few months ago, we have the little experience that come along with treading the hallowed path of the Usap freshman year.
No other time in the entire history of our country has been more important, and you are the part of the group of future leaders who have the capacity to extricate Zimbabwe from the marshland one day. As you head into the challenging but really exciting application process, we wish to put a few things into your heads right away.
Computer knowledge
You will need to know how to use the computer, the internet and be familiar with general e-mail etiquette. You should not be worried even if you have "zero" computer knowledge, because you all have different backgrounds. However, this should not be an excuse or something that keeps you from learning. Curiosity is a Usap trademark, and you should have a burning desire to learn more and more about computers. Trust us, you will require clear mastery of computers in your entire application process, during your transition period, and even more when you enroll in college. Mr. Mushonga is usually a source of help when you are stuck, but we strongly encourage who have relatively more knowledge to give maximum help to their peers.
Sharing
Usap students share. During the few weeks of the application season, you will share:
the Educational Center
computers and
Amai, the Educational adviser
the dream of coming to the US (this is important)
Please share all the knowledge that you have with your peers. The application weeks are the period you get to bond as a family and make real friends in Usap. And once again, share all that you have. "Give and it shall be given unto you"
Respect
This is a magic word. Being Usap students does not mean owning the USEAC center. You ought to respect the security guards when you come in. You ought to respect the computers and all the equipment and facilities in USEAC (property of the government of the United States), and you should use it like the responsible person that you are. You ought to respect all Embassy officials and be polite all the time. You ought to respect Mr. Muchenje – and do what he tells you to. Don't go beyond the boundaries that may have been set for you as a Usaper. And if you have a head above your shoulders, you know that you should respect Amai. Once again, respect is a magic word you should use all the time as Amai and the US Educational Center help you to change your life. Without respect hapana kure kwaunoenda (you won't go any far)
Management and responsibility (kurongeka)
You are responsible for your own stuff. You should be very managing your own Usap file and application material. There is a lot of work to be done, and you should make sure you are up to date and with all that you need. Don't complicate Mr. Muchenje's life by making him do your own work. Being a Usap student makes you more work beyond your 'A' level curriculum, and most of the time you have to that YOURSELF. You should be happy to do all that.
Mentorship
Every student in the Class of 2012 is a mentor to two students in you group, the Class of 2013. Please MAXIMIZE this opportunity to ask all the questions that you have about Usap, colleges and universities, life in the US, the activities that you should do after you graduate from high school. Your mentors have a burning desire to help you, and you should rely on them to help in EVERY single part of you application process and Usap experience. You should bother them (Vanetsei!) Try to drop them an e-mail whenever you can.
The two of us are mentors-at-large, writing this letter to you twice every month for the whole of next year. Some of you should be ready to take on that mantle from us when you hopefully enroll here next fall. Wadzanai Motsi (Grinnell '12) will be an overall adviser.
Writings and the application essay
We can never stress the importance of your essays enough. For now, we need to remind you that you should have already started planning out your essay. Because of the importance of the essays that you will use in your applications and beyond, our next letter to you will include a separate Writings and the Essay by Dominic Mhiripiri.
Choosing schools
As you research for schools to apply to, you should incorporate your mentor to do part of the research for you. They will suggest schools that may be good matches for you – so make sure you mentor knows your abilities and interests well-enough. The biggest help to you will be Amai.
Listerv
You should use the listerv whenever you can to share something and also as a tool to get advice from senior Usap students (you will have a couple of Usap upperclassmen on your listerv). Again, use the listerv responsibly and for the benefit of others
This letter
You should expect us to write this letter more than anyone else, because we do not have mentees. However, we will try to have a variety of 2012ers to write to you. This letter seeks to address the tasks and responsibilities you face at a particular stage of your Usap year, and we hope that our efforts will help you in some way.
We hope that this introductory letter has set the tone for future letter to you. May we remind you that in everything you do, you have a responsibility to fly the Usap flag and make your particular class the most outstanding. We look forward to writing to you all soon!
With love from a new America, whose president is black,
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Some Application Tips
By Wendy Magoronga, Williams College 12'
I know maybe you've been told all this stuff already, but just thought I'd give you some few pointers from my experience in working in the admissions office. I promise to keep this short. These are just some things I've noticed that you can do to ensure your application is complete and your documents are not misplaced.
- Make sure you put the same name on all your documents, and be consistent if you decide to put initials too. It's advisable to use your first name, middle name/initial(s) and last name. It's funny how some people have the same name and only a different middle initial.
- Make sure your teachers or other people do not write nicknames or just your second name on recommendations. This is just to make sure your stuff does not get misplaced because of the inconsistence in names.
- If you can, send in all your stuff at once to avoid the probability of having two files made for you, which might result in your application being considered incomplete.
- Do your research. Make sure you know the stuff that each school requires you to send, or some other conditions they have (e.g. some schools require you to not use the common application but their own version, or mail some things instead of submitting them online etc)
- If in doubt, ask. E-mail the school's admissions office or ask Mai Mano if you are not so sure what the school requires.
- Deadlines!!! Please try and meet all deadlines. If you cannot meet a deadline for any reason, e-mail the school to let then know.
Hope this helps. All the best in your applications.
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Writings and the essay
By Dominic Mhiripiri, Brown University 12'
Admission into top US colleges and universities is at its most competitive level in history. As more and more qualified applicants from across the world are considered for places and financial aid, the need for outstanding, well-polished applications cannot be over-estimated. It is also in the wake of this trend that I feel the need to emphasize the importance of a WELL ORGANIZED, CONVINCING application essay. Once again, many students are applying and if selection for a place goes down to the wire, the student with better essays stands a better chance of making it. And here are a few things to help you along:
Plan
I remember brainstorming ideas for my essay about two months or so before I wrote it, as soon as Amai told us to. SPEND TIME planning about the structure and style of your essay – do not just scrabble down an essay without the proper planning that should precede writing. If you plan, your essay is guaranteed to be better.
Vary
You might have been told this a thousand times, but it is worth repeating. Write about something does not appear already in your application. It is better to write about the day you saved someone's life, or a powerful personal experience that changed you (positively) etc than it is to write about the day you collected your 15A's. While it is amazing that you have fifteen A's, it also appears a hundred times in your application and does not contribute anything new.
Improve your essay
When Amai tell you to improve a draft or completely re-write it, do just that. She knows what colleges want in an essay, and should set the standard for you. You should be happy to put effort, however challenging it may seem, into getting outstanding essays. Your hard work will pay off. In my Usap group, I remember we had to write, change, re-write, type, un-type, re-type and every other similar word that you can think of to describe the process of continuously upgrading your essays.
Be positive
One of my essays was about an experience during Operation Murambatsvina. Whilst this is a sad event, I did not cry and complain in the essay – but used surviving a great challenge to portray strength of character, motivation and positiveness etc. Colleges do not admit you because they feel pity for you. They want desirable qualities in addition to being qualified.
Research
In a school supplement, you ought to research about a particular school. Mention specific buildings, historical facts, people, degree and major programs, facilities etc that are at the school and make you like it. If there is a Usap student at that school, PLEASE write to them, and they should be happy to give you additional information.
Show, do not tell
This is a golden rule of essays. Do not write: "I am a humble and honest girl" in your essay. Give us evidence that shows it. You should strive to show as many positive qualities as you can in your essay – it is your BIG opportunity to tell the Admissions Officer what you cannot show them by other means.
While there are many qualities that you can show, I will share with what I had on my own list: great motivation (to study and do something big in life), hard working, knowledge of affairs/curiosity, ability to withstand challenges, sense of humor and writing ability (you actually show this by the way you write your essay)
Remember to ask for help as soon as you need it, and if you want more research info, write to your mentor and or the Usap student already at the school you are considering.
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Volume 2: January 20 2009: The New Year
We are pleased to post to you our traditional letter for the first time in 2009, and hope you enjoyed the seminar you had with returning students recently. New beginnings are usually of great importance because not only do they give us an opportunity to reflect on the past, but also a chance to map out our plans for the immediate and long-term future. On that note, you will probably remember 2008 as not just the year in which you faced challenges at home and at school, but also the year in which you crowned your outstanding record of academic performance, leadership and community involvement by joining the great Usap family. And when embraced with enthusiasm and responsibility, joining Usap will arguably be the highest possible achievement for any A level student in Zimbabwe.
However, there are many hurdles ahead, which you need to be reminded of, especially as you embark on this important year. Here are a few things to look out for, starting now:
Work:
Usap students traditionally find work to keep them engaged during the time they spend in Zimbabwe, hopefully before they enroll at US colleges in the fall. You should start looking around for a job now -- and we hope that our country's failing economy and declining educational system will not be too bad to "not have" a job for you. Ike worked for Cargill as an accounting assistant, while Dominic spent time as an English and Math teacher at Chitungwiza's Seke 5 High School. Other students worked for non-profit organizations, Food stores and USEAC (voluntary internships)
USEAC
For those of you who have not finished their applications to their third or fourth schools, this is the time to do so. You should make use of the time slot you are allowed at the USEAC Center, and use it responsibly. Make sure you follow up on the status of your application. If a college does not acknowledge receipt of your application material, go ahead and [politely] inquire.
Reading
This is the time to star keeping yourself mentally engaged. Read the books in the USEAC library, which are there for you. Read many scientific, classical, political, current affairs texts and improve your knowledge on issues and widen your vocabulary. You will be grateful when you come to college.
Food For Thought (FFT)
Come to the Food for Thought Series in USEAC, every Tuesday at 3pm. Try also to attend any other seminars lined up for you at the Center – they will help you open up to America's academic and social cultures…
SAT
If you have to re-take your SAT exams, that is perfectly good. Make sure you put more effort into your preparation in order to raise your scores. A balance in all sections is always more desirable, and because this year is more competitive than ever before, maximum effort is the way to go.
Mentorship
Contact your mentors with questions, if you have experiences to share. Email us, Ike and Domi if you have any kind of question we might help you with.
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Volume 3: February 10 2009: Keep In Touch
The joy of learning another language will soon be yours when you hopefully enroll for school on this side of this world.. that was a little bit of KiSwahili, which I am taking now before going for langue de français next semester.. Sometime this year when you have come of age [inzwa kuonererwa], Cato will describe to you the so-called "Usap Cruxials" One of those cruxials states that you sould take a foreign language during your time here in the United States / Canada / Germany. So there are two things that you can look forward to: hearing about the interesting cruxials, and taking up a foreign language when you come over!
Okay, on another note, I hope that this customary mail finds you all in good health. I wonder how it feels to be in Zimbabwe right now during the "historic" transition from a totally Zanoid administration to one that is shared between two sworn enemies and a confused robotics professor (with all due respect to Complex). Everyday we read the headlines -- and one thing that should motivate you to put maximum effort in everything you do is the state of affairs in Zimbabwe right now -- nomatter the challenges you face. So what it that you should put your effort on? Like always, we try to make this letter a reminder of the things that you should consider looking out for. And sometimes we have to say things more than once..
Work experience - make an effort to find a meaningful engagement to do in the form of a job, but if you do not find one due to the economic climate, consider voluntary and community engagement. While the monetary rewards for choosing that way may be little, the experience will give you:
- something strong to add to you resume [the world is getting more competitive, remember]
- If you fnd yourself in the not-unfamiliar position of being wait-listed by a college, citing meaningful activities will healthen your chances
Reading - keep yourselves engaged by reading widely. You should consider reading advanced texts, commentaries, papers and fiction novels. There will be an avalance of these during your frist semester in college and you will not have a uphill task to catch up. Many Usap students who started with a little "rust" will give you the same advice.
FFT - come to Food For Thought seminars at the Educ. Center.. If things have not changed since we were there, you can check your e-mail and application status then attend these seminars aferwards -- thus you hit 3 stones with one bird [or vice versa, if you want it that way]
Your mentor - catch up with your designated mentor in the Usap '12 class and ask a LOT of questions.. start knowing about their academic pursuits and interests on campus as well as experiences so far. If there is one thing are going to need when you come here - that would be a strong network of friends. Hence this is a nice opportunity to start building these relationships now. You can also always contact our own mentors Nancy K (UChicago '11) and Donald Hondongwa (Vassar '11). Then there are veteran Usap students who are on this listerv who have seen it all, you should feel free to get to them too.
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Volume 4: March 18 2009: The Decisions Start Coming
Congratulations Leslie [MIT '13]!!! We are happy for you and excited for those who will get their good news soon:) It is on that great note that we give you a belated installment of this letter. We hope we find you well - well, you ought to be well at this point of your Usap experience. The responses from colleges will start trooping in from next week onwards, and we trust that you will be able to carry yourselves through the joyous and not-so-joyous moments. I guess we will do more talking on that issue soon after you have known your fates.. right now relax and take a deep breath
Last of last Friday saw the tragic death of Amai Tsvangirai in a car crash, which plunged most of the country [ both red and green] into mourning. Red and green because even our 100-year old Good Leader, his wife and Zanoid cronies were up on their feet from the start - visiting the PM in hospital [where two women I know memorably shed tears], giving words of comfort and attending the burial. Perhaps the most touching moment was when the addressing him as "hon. Prime Minister vaTsvangrai", Sekuru soothed Morgan with a small and flowery speech. However, it should be said that despite the beauty of his words, Mugabe's rare show of his humane side does not wash his sins away just like that. Particularly, his actions should start matching his words now [arrests, violence, Bennet - Jestina Mukoko, cholera, stubborn inco-operation within the GNU etc] Some people who overreact, like Morgan's son, were ready to let the dictator off the hook because of his words: in other words letting two or three sentences dissolve the murder, genocide, denial of rights, torture, starvation and other innumerable horrors that characterize Sekuru's legacy.
For the record, we will be including ONE important thins about the USA and life here in every of our future instalments of this letter. This can be academic / political / social..... actually anything to help you open up your mind to US culture and current events. And on that account, next time we will tell you briefly about the global economic crisis, which has caused much upheaval in all aspects of life in almost every corner of the world. Understanding it is important for you as both a student pursuing college opportunities in the US and as a responsile global citizen. We have in store for you an update on the the progress made by the [amazing, but less amazing than you] Usap Class of 2012 in their efforts to form a model Zimbabwean government and write a comprehensive 100+-page policy document.
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Volume 5: April 9 2009: Days of Reckoning
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy" - MLK Jr.
I guess this is one of the most important times in our Usap experience - when we discover how we fared with our various applications to US colleges. Let me start right away by stating that the enormity of the 'American dream' that you and I have is greater than how quickly and difficultly we attain it. Dreams never fade, and they are not realized in the simplest ways we usually think. I have been in this country since last year, yet now more than ever before - I realize that there is much more I would aspire to get and should fight for.. things more important than getting into Brown or crossing the Atlantic ocean(s) on a plane. I need a character. I need an experience that I can look back on, reflect and draw strength from. And with the numerous social / academic / financial challenges that await as soon as one enrolls in college here, this very time that you find yourselves in is extremely important to toughen up yourselves and get ready for this changing world: focus, accept what has comes to you, work hard and above all hold on with a stubborn persistence. In that context, Ike and I wish to address those of us who have received rejections and wait-list from some or all of the colleges we applied to.
Colleges received a record number of applications last year. This year, "record number" is true but not graphic enough: the numbers were way too high. I witnessed it myself when I worked in our Admissions Office which received an excess of 25, 000 applications for a class of less than 1, 500. It is therefore harder to admit students who would have made it into schools just as early as one year ago! So your not making it first time does not mean you are not qualified or motivated enough :) It is only evidence for the complexity and uncertainty that is the college admission process nowadays. I felt that if I had applied this year to all, I might not have necessarily gotten into all the schools that admitted me just year! So relax on that, you are a great Usap student. But, what of the future?
If you have been wait-listed, hang in there! In every class in Usap history, a couple of students have gotten into schools from the wait-list. This includes people now in huge Ivy League universities and also liberal arts schools! You should focus on keeping in touch with your school, doing meaningful activities in your community (generally keep yourself engaged, and tell your school)
If you have no remaining options save for your wait-list, pester the school every week - you have nothing to lose! Showing your interest will ensure that admission officers know which name to pick as soon as a place is available. For those who have been wait-listed by their top choice but have other good offers, please limit your correspondence to just a few times or even once, while still maintaining great motivation to come. You should assume that you will go the school that admitted you, though, as you might not end up going to that school. For everyone on a wait-list, just remember to stay highly motivated, while also being realistic and open to accepting what comes your way.
Rejection should not be a drawback to anyone. I understand the pain that comes with having to wait for a year and re-apply. But that experience will make you a better person altogether. There are tons of Usap students who have taken that path and have done truly amazing things here. Waiting makes you no different from anyone! Ngonidzashe Madungwe, my legendary homeboy who will be coming to Tufts this fall is just one example that I can give you... and I cannot wait to read his memoir!
Lastly, remember there is no end to the Usap journey. When we are tempted and try to run away, we have not brought an end to it, for there is none. We would have simply become debtors of change that we ought to bring to the world. That is the meaning of Usap.
Those who are not Christian, please close your eyes for a moment because I will sign our with scripture:
"They that wait upn the LORD shall renew their strength. The shall mount up with wings as eagles. They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint..." Isaiah 40:31
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