Meet the Class of 2027: Pedro

How did you discover Minerva?

My story with the discovery of Minerva is a little complex! I first read about Minerva in 2021 while searching for universities in the United States. I really liked the university and its mission, but when I started my application and saw all the challenges, I felt like it was out of my league, so I did not apply that year. Later, in 2022, I participated in an event here in Brazil that brought together lots of universities. There, I met with a Minerva faculty member and a student from Brazil who made me realize how incredible Minerva is. I understood more about the University and felt like I needed to give it a shot, so I did!

What made you apply to Minerva?

The main thing about Minerva that made me sure I needed to apply was the global rotation. I have always wanted to study in many different countries and experiencing all the diverse cultures will shape me in ways that I cannot even imagine. In addition, I was excited about being in a place with people from all around the world—a diverse student body is definitely something I was looking for!

Also, I need to mention Minerva's teaching methods as another aspect of my motivation to apply. The way students learn at Minerva is completely different from other universities, and I believe that active learning will help me be a well-rounded student, as we connect theory with practice in every class. I feel this will prepare me for real-world challenges.

What was your favorite accomplishment that you submitted in your Minerva application?

I am very proud of all of them, but I believe my favorite one was the scientific article I wrote with a friend during my junior year in high school. We researched the relationship between two classic Brazilian books, a painting from René Magritte, and the world today. It was my first time participating in research, and it made me understand all the processes to write it. What made me enjoy it was partnering with my friend and supporting each other. We also proudly represented the school to a federal University where we presented our project. It was an amazing time.

What excites you the most about attending Minerva?

I am excited to be in a place where everyone is searching for knowledge the same way as I am, while we explore together the rotation cities. Also, I am looking forward to taking part in civic projects, as I am sure this will help me develop professionally while engaging with and positively impacting the local community.

What major are you most interested in and how will that contribute to your future career?

I am enthusiastic about both Social Sciences and Business. The major in Social Sciences ignites my curiosity to understand the complexity of human relations and society as a whole. On the other hand, Business will give me the necessary knowledge to understand more about decision-making, allowing me to, in the future, have different career options.

Is there any city within the global rotation that you are most excited to explore? Why?

I am extremely excited to explore Seoul. South Korea is culturally very different from anything I have experienced before. I cannot wait to taste new foods, visit the small towns near Seoul, and discover all the cafes they have there. Additionally, the city is also very tech-savvy, and I hope to be able to explore this side of South Korea too.

Describe your expectations for your first year at Minerva in three words.

Challenging, Transformative, Intensive.

Can you share a piece of advice for future applicants?

I think the most important piece of advice is to trust yourself. Minerva's application process is different, and it seems very intimidating when you first open it. The challenges are not there to make you fail, they are supposed to build a picture of who you are, so the admission officers can truly understand you. Minerva's student body is so diverse, so there is no perfect profile.

For the accomplishments, be honest, every student is different! There are no better or worse achievements, only you know what is good for you. Additionally, do not underestimate the power of your activities, write it in a way that you can show how important and impactful they were.

If you were inspired by Pedro's story and are seeking a college experience that will teach you valuable pragmatic skills that will enable you to change the world, apply to join Minerva today.

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