HRIVIN
G
WRITTEN BY LELEDA BERAKI
CONTENTS
TABLE OF
THE VISION
1 my hopes for this guide
COLLEGE APPLICATIONS
2 tips and tricks for a high schooler
ENTERING COLLEGE
7 freshman year and beyond
INTERNSHIPS
11 FAQs and interview prep
CLASS NOTES
14 for my STEM girlies
CONTRIBUTE
15 ask questions or share resources
VISION
THE
DEAR READER,
This document is (hopefully) a living, breathing
collection of my advice and shareable knowledge
along with things I can collect from people
willing to contribute! It’s entitled a Black Girl’s
Guide because I am Black (and a girl), so many of
my experiences in high school and higher
education have been informed by that. But I
welcome and encourage people who do not hold
this identity to use this resource in whatever
way is most useful!
My vision for this guide is to provide you with
everything I’ve learned in the past 5 years from
the end of my high school career to the end of
my Master’s at Yale! Keep in mind these are the
experiences, class notes, and resources of one
(very imperfect) person, so do not use this as a
step-by-step guide on how to live your life.
Rather, take this as an opportunity to learn
from my mistakes and supplement your lives
with a little bit of mine. Let’s build generational
knowledge together!
With Love,
Leleda
1
DEEP DIVE
College
Applications
Breaking down aspects of the college
application process with advice and
examples drawn from my own application! I
worked hard in high school (most times at
my own expense), but I encourage you all to
find balance between your ambitions and
your well-being... there is room for both!
1. ACADEMICS
COLLEGE
APPLICATIONS
Grades, of course, are super important when applying. But what
really matters is the classes you choose to take -- this is how you
demonstrate that you can handle the rigor of college-level courses.
I recommend taking as many Honors, IB, AP, or Dual Enrolment
classes as you can (within reason of your other commitments and
personal bandwidth). The goal here is to show (1) You are pushing
yourself with difficult classes and (2) You are able to succeed in
them or improve overtime. Colleges like to see growth, so don’t
freak out if your grades weren’t amazing at the start of high school,
you have time to make them better! The point here is that a 4.0 GPA
having taken 0 difficult courses is not as impressive as a 3.5 GPA
having taken 5 AP courses. Make sure you’re pushing yourself, but
also don’t stretch yourself too thin!
Keep in mind, not every high school is made the same. If you took
the only 2 AP courses offered at your school, you are not at a
disadvantage compared to someone who took the 10 AP’s offered
at their school. Colleges compare your academics to the your
school system and offerings (some schools operate on a 4.0 scale
and others have a 5.0 scale... some schools don’t even do GPA’s!).
MY SCHEDULE
10TH GRADE
7TH/8TH GRADE English Honors
Spanish 1 Spanish 4
Algebra 1 AP Calculus AB
AP Biology
12TH GRADE
Geometry (Virtual)
AP English Literature
Spanish 2 AP World History
AP Spanish
Algebra 2/ Trigonometry Research Chemistry
Independent
Physics (Virtual)
Research Dual
9TH GRADE
11TH GRADE Enrollment
English Honors AP English Language AP Human Geography
Spanish 3 Spanish 5 Honors AP US & Comparative
Math Analysis Honors AP Calculus BC Government
Research Biology Honors AP Statistics Drawing and Painting
Intro to AP World History Computer Science Photography
Intro Biz & Marketing AP Physics
AP Chemistry 2
2. EXTRACURRICULARS
These matter a lot more than you think!! It is not enough to be a straight ‘A’ student,
colleges want well-rounded individuals. There’s a few things to keep in mind here: (1)
leadership positions in clubs are important, (2) try to focus your interests on a few
clubs rather than doing everything under the sun, (3) these activities don’t have to
be in line with what you want to study. Leadership positions are, of course, great for
a resume, but you also want to have something to say about each role you held.
How did you shape the club in your position? What did you learn from being in that
capacity? What impact did you leave? Colleges can tell when you’re in 15 different
clubs just to seem involved and it does not look as good as being in 2-3 and
devoting a lot of time to them. You want to show dedication and true passion for
your extracurriculars and to do that, you have to spend time on them. These
activities do not have to be in line with your academic interests, in fact, you’re a
more interesting candidate if they’re slightly different. For example, if you’re an
aspiring engineer who dances competitively or if you’re an aspiring historian who
runs the art club! My point here is don’t pick clubs you think colleges want to see you
in. Pick clubs that excite you and that you’re willing to devote your time and energy
to. Think about clubs as individual pieces that are connected through a thread (your
interests and passions).
MY EXTRACURRICULARS:
FEMINIST CLUB, PRESIDENT
DEBATE, PUBLIC FORUM CAPTAIN
SCIENCE HONORS SOCIETY, COMMS DIRECTOR
MATH HONORS SOCIETY, TUTOR
NATIONAL HONORS SOCIETY, COMMITTEE
SUPERVISOR
PROM COMMITTEE, CO-CHAIR
I participated in all these clubs for a minimum of 2 years
and ultimately held some sort of leadership role/ made a
tangible contribution. My common thread of interest in
clubs was community service and advocacy!
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3. STANDARDIZED TESTING
In my (not so humble) opinion, this is the worst part of college applications. SATs/
ACTs aren’t really about how smart you are, it’s about whether you’ve figured out
how to take the test and if you had the resources to take prep courses or purchase
materials. Unfortunately, they are important indicators to colleges and can
sometimes help offset a lower GPA. My recommendation here is to utilize free
resources like Khan Academy and ask upperclassmen for their study materials. If
your high school offers prep courses, then take them up on it!! The SAT/ ACT was
brutal for me because I did it alone and I test really poorly. I took the SAT 3 times and
did not do well enough to submit to schools, so I ended up switching to the ACT. The
ACT is much faster paced and has a science section (and much less reading),
which just fit my preferences better. These testing prices add up, so check if you
qualify for fee waivers or if your school offers subsidized pricing!
4. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
These are so much more important than people realize. Colleges can’t get a sense
of who you are just based on your grades and clubs, so letters of recommendations
serve to paint a picture of your character. Depending on the school you might need
2-3 recommendations, so it’s important to build relationships with different teachers
that can speak to different aspects of who you are. For example, choosing your
chemistry teacher to discuss your academic dedication/ who you are as a student
and your club’s faculty sponsor to talk about how you work in groups/ how you are
as a leader. One of my recommenders was a teacher from freshman year who I kept
in touch with for three years after taking their class (this is smart because they’ve
seen your growth overtime and probably know you outside of a strictly academic
space). None of the recommenders I asked knew me for less than two years, but
that was just my preference! Sometimes school counselors are also asked to write
letters, which is wonderful because they’ve known you all four years!!
SIDE NOTE
When I read the comments put by admissions officers on
my college applications, they specifically noted my
recommendation letters as one of the things that put me
over the top! Don’t sleep on these.
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This is the most important part of any application,
ESSAYS
COLLEGE
because it’s where colleges hear directly from YOU. A
good essay can make up for A LOT!! The goal here is to
write a story that ties together all the different aspects of
your life (your background, your academic interests, your
clubs), and you need to do it in an interesting way. There
are a few kinds of essays so let’s break them down:
1. THE MAIN ESSAY (“COMMON APP”)
This is the general essay that you submit to every university. This is
not a cover letter or a place for you to regurgitate your resume.
Write about your passions or an important moment in your life, this
essay does not need to explain why you want to go to XYZ
University. Instead, make it all about you. My best advice for you is
to get it peer reviewed and write many many many drafts.
2. SUPPLEMENTAL ESSAYS
Each university will have different questions to get a sense of how you would fit
into their campus. You’ll get questions like “Why this college?” or maybe even
questions specific to the major you’ve chosen. You might also get questions
about what you want to do if admitted to that school.
The goal here is to show you’ve done your research and you’re not just
applying because you heard it’s a good school. Look into clubs that sound
interesting, check out the work your major department is doing, and look at
the mission statement of the university. These essays should still be about
you, but in a way that mirrors the university as well. How does the mission of
the university align with your own? Are there any passions you have that you
could pursue further at this school? How is this university uniquely positioned
to further your success?
NOTE: this section should not just be about what you stand to gain from being
admitted. Also mention how you plan to contribute to campus life!
3. SHORT SENTENCE ESSAY
Some universities may ask you to answer a question in 50-100 words. These are
hard, but also pretty low stakes! This is a cool teaching moment that every word
matters and you want to make sure you’re using them wisely, but I wouldn’t
stress too much about this one. It’s more of a personality/ vibe check so don’t
take yourself too seriously. 5
ADVICE
FINAL
1. MAKE EVERY PART DIFFERENT
If your common application talks about your involvement in the
Feminist Club, then don’t mention it again in your supplements.
Take the time there to discuss something completely new to
show colleges you are multifaceted! Something I did in my
applications was leave out certain clubs in the extracurriculars
section and then use one of my essays to talk about them.
2. COLLEGE INTERVIEWS
Some universities may request an interview which they usually say
will help your application, but will not hurt it. Regardless, these
interviews are important. Usually, they are conducted by alumni
who will write an additional letter of support for you, if they like you.
These interviews are no joke and you should prepare for them
thoroughly. Have answers ready for questions like: Tell me about
yourself? Why are you interested in XYZ University? Do you have any
questions for me? And always be ready to answer a question about
anything on your resume or in your essays!
3. SAMPLES
I’m including some of my essays below to help you in getting started.
Writing style is individual and there is no perfect formula to write a good
essay. You can listen to the essays here:
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
BY THE WAY...
There are so many unknown factors in the college
application process and the only thing you can do is your
best. At the end of the day, you will end up where you were
meant to. A rejection from a college says nothing of your
intelligence or potential for success, it just means that was
not the place for you. Rejection is redirection. Good luck :)
6
DEEP DIVE
Entering
College
Ensuring your transition to college is
seamless and learning from my mistakes...
but always be willing and ready to make
your own
COLLEGE
ENTERING
Freshman Year Do’s and Don’ts
DO set ground rules with roommates (sleep
schedules, cleanliness, having people over)
DO go to office hours/ ask for help
DO try new clubs / interests
DO make study groups/ find friends in your classes
DO utilize career prep resources
DO balance difficult classes with easier ones
DO find time to be alone
DO feel comfortable asking for extensions on
homework
DO plan your flights/ visits home early (saves $$)
DO study abroad or travel on your university’s
dime
DON’T freak out if you don’t have a friend group
yet
DON’T join 15 different clubs and overcommit
DON’T lose hope if your grades aren’t amazing
DON’T feel pressured to party constantly
DON’T do laundry on the weekends (it’ll be packed)
7
General list to start you off, but feel free to customize!
LIST
PACKING
Bedding
Mattress topper (optional)
Bed Sheets + Blankets
Pillows + Cases
Bathroom
Shower caddy
Toiletries (hair, skin, body)
Shower shoes -- do not shower barefoot please
Towels
Class Supplies
Notebooks + pencils/ pens -- alternatively an iPad
Computer
Binders -- if you want to organize handwritten notes/ readings
Headphones
Storage
Plastic bins for under your bed -- I used these to store my clothes
Hangers
Bedside shelf/ rolling cart
Plastic dressers (if not already available)
Shoe rack
Desk
Lamp
Extension cord
Organizer (for papers/ pens)
Miscellaneous
Medicine (headaches, coughs, colds)
Bandaids
Stain remover
Iron/ steamer
Decorations (all optional)
Fairy lights
Posters/ paintings
Flowers/ vines
Flags/ Banners
Rugs/ Carpets
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1. ACADEMICS
GENERAL
ADVICE
The hardest part of college classes is the adjustment period. Once
you nail down how to take a course and the studying habits that
make sense for you, it is a lot more manageable. Give yourself
grace by not overloading on really difficult classes in your first
semester and being okay with grades that are not super amazing.
You have four years to learn and grow, so use it! The best thing I
learned in college was that classes are not meant to be taken
alone. I’m not telling you to cheat on an exam or copy homework
answers, but having a group to collaborate with and explain things
to one another is super crucial. Sometimes our peers can explain
things in terms that we more clearly understand. Professors are
experts in their fields and that can lead to them teaching in a
manner that isn’t totally comprehendible. And if you don’t
understand something, please get comfortable raising your hand
during lecture or going to your professor’s office hours for
additional help. I was too shy or embarrassed to ask for help many
times in college and that significantly impacted my grades. Finally,
take fun classes. Although you will have required intro classes and
department lectures, your class schedule does allow for some
flexibility. Take a course that’s totally different than what you’re
studying to exercise a different part of your brain or find new
passions. By the way, if you don’t know what you wanna study,
taking different types of courses is a fantastic way to find out :)
2. CLUBS
Just like high school, you can join all sorts of clubs in college, but be careful not to
overcommit yourself. Take it slow by joining 2-3 clubs and seeing if you like them.
Clubs provide really important experience that you can talk about in internship
interviews or job applications, but more importantly, they will help you find and
build community on campus. Clubs are also a way to explore an interest outside of
what you’re studying (ie. journalism, photography, art). Joining cultural groups on
campus completely changed my college experience for the better and I am wildly
grateful for the friends it gave me! An alternative or addition to joining a club is
working a campus job. This is a great way to remain engaged on campus, build up
some experience, and get paid. Campus jobs can range from working at the dean’s
office to the library to doing research!
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.
3. SOCIAL LIFE
Socializing is a huge part of college... not only are you taking classes with friends, but
you’re eating meals and living with them too! There isn’t one perfect way to be social in
college and it is really about personal preference. But as someone who was pretty
introverted at the start, here’s what I learned:
1. You don’t have to be best friends with the first people you meet. Now if you are,
that’s incredible and if you’re not that’s also incredible! It took me over a year to find
my people, but once I did, we clicked instantly and it shaped my college experience
positively.
2. Parties aren’t the only way to have a good time. I went to my fair share of parties,
but after a while I just didn’t find them fun anymore, so I started going to other
campus events like cookie decorating nights, game nights, movie nights, etc. If you
like to party then get into it, but if you don’t then you do still have options to
socialize!
3. Find alone time. Almost every aspect of college is designed around people which is
uniquely incredible, but also draining and overwhelming. Carve out time for yourself
whether that’s to call friends and family back home, clean your room, or watch your
favorite TV show.
4. FINANCES
Managing your finances is a totally individual choice based on your means, your
preferences, and your situation. But here are some general things to keep in mind:
1. Tuition does not encompass the things you spend money on in college. There
are ticketed school dances, days you want to eat out with friends, activities in
the city you want to try, you might want to buy a new outfit for an interview (or a
date...). Regardless, when you’re budgeting for college, set aside extra funds for
these day-to-day expenses. And set aside funds for the initial cost of moving
into a dorm (ie. sheets, shower caddy, drawers).
2. Look at your school’s academic calendar and plan for breaks accordingly. If
you’re taking flights between college and home, it may be wise to book them in
advance before they become too expensive.
3. High school is not the only time to apply for scholarships, continue searching for
them throughout college (even small ones make a big difference). Some
universities also offer internal grants for travel, personal expenses, or internship-
related costs.
4. Do not buy brand new textbooks!!! Unless you really want to spend $200-$300
on a book you’ll only read 10 chapters of, ask upperclassmen for their used
copies or find free versions online (the same goes for books).
10
DEEP DIVE
Internships
Discussing the kinds of internships that exist
and general advice for success.
LET’S TALK
INTERNSHIPS
1. DO THEY MATTER?
Absolutely! Internships are not only a way to build up experience
for when you apply for a real job, but they’re also a way for you to
decide what you like and don’t like. Internships are typically 8-10
weeks which is just enough time to get a sense for the organization
or company you’re working at. You can intern at companies you’d
be interested in working at later on or in roles that you think would
provide you important skills like research or analysis.
2. WHAT KINDS ARE THERE?
Internships come in all shapes and sizes...
Internship programmes are run by companies who host many interns
at once -- these will usually include broader events to explain what
the company does and interns will work within specific teams.
Programmes are great because there is infrastructure in place for
interns which can help to build community and make you feel less
lost.
Some places will hire 1-2 interns for a specific department -- these
roles are much more focused and have a smaller emphasis on the
company as a whole. These are great because you get to do really
tangible work and have a greater impact on a specific area of an
organization.
Some organizations and fellowships do placements where you apply
and interview, then based on your qualifications, you are placed at a
company or organization. These can be nice because some
internships aren’t paid so fellowships help to offset the cost, while also
providing a community of other fellows.
There are companies that don’t offer internships at all; however, you
can network with people that work there and get a role made for you.
This is much trickier, but can be really rewarding because you will
likely be doing real work rather than work designated for an intern.
3. WHAT’S IT LIKE?
Regardless of the internship type, these jobs are not usually super glamorous. You
may have the best summer ever, or just an average one, but regardless, you will
learn a lot -- about what you like and don’t like, how to engage with professionals,
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and what your career interests are.
INTERVIEW
ADVICE
1. KNOW YOUR RESUME
Do not submit a resume where you don’t feel comfortable being
asked about every single piece. You should be ready to answer
any questions about your experience in a specific role or lessons
learned from a job.
2. TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF?
This is the most common interview question, and in many ways
defines how the remainder of the interview will go. Based on the things
you say here, the interviewer may ask for clarification or more details.
Do not leave information out here hoping the interviewer will ask
about it later, there are no guarantees! I usually take 2-3 minutes to
respond to this question. Here is the template I follow each time.
TEMPLATE
Introduce yourself = 15 seconds
Name, pronouns, where you are from
“Hi! My name is Leleda, I use she/her pronouns, I’m originally from Asmara, Eritrea but now reside in the
DMV.”
Academics = 1 minute
University + Major(s)
Explain why you chose your major and what you hope to do with it in general
“I’m a senior at Yale University studying Biomedical Engineering and doing a joint Master’s in Public
Health in Health Policy and Global Health. I decided to study engineering as a way to be at the forefront
of medical innovation and design, but have since recognized the series of equity and accessibility
challenges, particularly on the African continent. This led to my desire to obtain an MPH. I wanted to
understand the underlying policies and social implications of the work I could do as an engineer. I hope
to use both degrees to further health equity on the continent and build resilient health infrastructure.”
Extracurricular Involvement = 45 seconds
“Outside of the classroom, I am involved in a variety of things! I work at the AfroAmerican Cultural Center
as a Student Assistant. In this role I plan events, mixers, and panels for incoming and prospective Black
first-years to ensure they have a seamless transition to college and help them build community. I also
served as the President of Yale’s student government. In this role I worked with students, administrators,
and deans to push policies that better the experiences of my peers on campus.”
Interest in the role = 1 minute
“My experiences both inside and outside the classroom led me to apply to (insert role), because it aligns
with my desire to (talk about their mission statement or current projects). I’m really excited to further
develop my (talk about skills you would gain) while also contributing to the (talk about things you can
provide the team). Getting the opportunity to work with (insert team) would help me in my journey to
(talk about future aspirations).“
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GENERAL
TRICKS
1. RESUME FORMATTING
My favorite resume format is the Yale OCS one found here:
[Link]
My general advice is to remove high school experiences as soon
as reasonably possible. You can also use the career resources at
your university to get your resume reviewed. In general, you should
order your resume chronologically, but I usually reorder my
resume or change the wording of certain things based on the job
I’m applying for.
2. REFERRALS
This is a great way to have a leg up during the interview process for
internships. There are a few ways to get a referral: (1) finding an alumni
at your university who works for the company or organization of interest
either through LinkedIn or an internal search engine or (2) networking
with professionals at the company or organization, demonstrating your
interest, and then asking for a referral. This can be done through
LinkedIn, social media, or CareerShift.
3. NETWORKING
Networking
3. is SO SO SO important! I know it can feel a bit uncomfortable, but take it
as an opportunity to hear about how people got to where they are today.
Networking isn’t always about getting a job or an opportunity, it can just be about
expanding what you already know! Many of us think that networking has to be with
people much older or very developed in their careers, but it is really helpful to talk
with young professionals. Talk to college students who recently did a program or
fellowship you’re interested in, contact an intern who had the role before you --
people have so much insight to offer and it is a disservice not to take it.
4. LASTING IMPRESSIONS
Once
3. you land the role, make sure to work incredibly hard, seek opportunities to help
out more, and look for moments of learning. You want to make the most of your few
weeks in the role, but you also want to leave a good impression. Your supervisors
could give you a return or full-time offer, they could write you letters of
recommendation for future jobs, or they could be great mentors in your career!
13
DEEP DIVE
Class Notes
As my final gift to my STEM girlies, here are all
my class notes and textbooks. They may be
helpful in the classes you are taking or give
you an idea for how to format your notes.
[Link]
To continue building a space committed to
seeing others thrive, you can join the Thriving
Not Suriving Discord Group here:
[Link]
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HERE
CONTRIBUTE
If you have any questions not answered by
the guide, need clarification on things I
mentioned, would like to add your own
advice, or have notes/ resources you would
like to share....
FILL OUT THIS FORM PLEASE!
[Link]
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