Help me get to Harvard!

Hey everyone, my name is Gautham, and I'm a first-generation college student from Singapore on a mission to change the future of education. I believe learning has the power to transform lives, and I want to build education programs that help students understand the world, not just study it. I've been accepted into Harvard's Graduate School of Education Master's in Education Leadership, Organizations, and Entrepreneurship program — a huge step towards making this happen!

My Story:

My drive to apply was fuelled by this crazy belief that I, alongside like-minded individuals, can make higher education a place where everyone leads, learns, and belongs. We need more than good grades – we need empathy, listening, the guts to change things.

As an Indian minority in Singapore and going through a polytechnic education, I faced stereotypes head-on. People often assumed a certain path for me, but I knew I had more to offer. As a first-generation college student who is a proud alumnus of Hillgrove Secondary School and Ngee Ann Polytechnic, my acceptance into HGSE signifies not just a personal achievement but a shared achievement of possibility for students from all backgrounds who believe beyond the traditional markers of success.

At NUS College, I witnessed firsthand how interdisciplinary education can unlock hidden potential in students from all backgrounds. Inspired, I want to reshape higher education, designing programs that go beyond just academic skills to foster society centric leaders who are equipped with critical thinking skills, empathy, and a deep understanding of the complex challenges our world faces. Its also not just about creating such programs but also ensuring I strive to make these programs accessible and inclusive to students as well.

The Challenge:

The financial commitment required for HGSE is substantial. As an undergrad, I have been depending on Scholarships and Financial Aid from the school and serving as a Residential Assistant and sometimes Research Assistant to get through financially and these have been huge blessings. While my family supports my aspirations wholeheartedly, our resources are very limited and I have received Harvard’s Financial Aid Package which currently is not enough to cover the total student budget fees.

How You Can Help:

This is where I am turning to the online community. I would like to seek any form of financial support from individuals who are able to help and contribute towards the dream I am embarking on!

Every contribution, big or small, is an investment in this vision. Your support will directly impact my ability to attend Harvard !

Thank You!

I'm incredibly grateful for your consideration. Let's make this dream of accessible, impactful education a reality!

Some Fun Stuff about Me:

If there's a buzz on campus grounds at NUS College, chances are I'm somewhere in the middle of it! Between student events and sipping teh tarik, I'm always on the go, fueled by a passion for student life. You might even catch me on stage channeling my inner Swiftie, belting out a Taylor cover at our semesterly dinner.

But my favorite part? Hearing everyone's unique stories – there's always something new to learn over a cup of teh tarik! People ask, "How are you always around?" It's simple - I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.