Before I came to Athena, I could communicate to people in tech, but not to anyone outside it — which is most of the population. I couldn’t sell myself or present my work in a way that showed its impact. Athena taught me how to communicate what I’m thinking and what I work on daily to someone completely disconnected from the tech industry, and that’s been a huge change.

Athena helped me so much. My research paper explored the impact of peer influences on women’s financial attitudes and behaviours in Kaithal, Haryana. It was a case study. I won many cool research awards for this paper. It was all because of Athena.

I wasn’t really sure how to bring it all together — how to say, ‘This is Farhan,’ and show both the personal side and everything I’d done. That’s where Athena really helped me step up my game. They showed me how to use every part of my application — the activities list, the essays, the supplements — to show I’m not just one-faceted, but someone with many different sides that are unique and interesting. That’s what really helped me get into Princeton.

Athena has been really fundamental in my journey. More than that, I think they gave me this belief in myself, and I think what has changed is that I’ve understood there’s a clear way to structure everything, with the proper timelines I had with my projects and with my essays and everything. I would not have been able to write such good essays without the mentorship I received.

Athena really helped me understand my college fit. The counselors would come up with this big chart of all my top college options, what they thought was good about each, the pros and cons, and then we’d sit together with my parents and really debate what would be the right fit for me.

What stood out to me was that Athena did not just advise me on how to go about things or scale my project. They also helped me grow as a human being. They helped me become someone who not only contributes meaningfully to society but also holds strong core values.

They don’t really try to fit you in a box, and I think that’s what works when you’re applying to colleges as well. They want to see you for your most authentic self.

Athena made me understand, at almost every step, how my projects aligned with the values I stand for and the vision I had for myself. They sculpted my heightened imagination into concrete steps that could put forth my true brand and eventually make my application seem impressive, yet genuine and personal.

I took part in a NASA competition and initiated the physics club at my school, which helped me develop leadership skills. These were things people often talk about hypothetically, and I finally started living them. One of my favorite moments was writing a graded paper on feminism and Barbie!

Athena kept me motivated and on track. The application process, although overwhelming at times, became manageable. Athena’s program allowed me to explore fields like physics and economics, leading me to renewable technology.

They ensured that all parts of my application were looked into with meticulous detail. The team ensured that I was geared and ready with the best application.

Athena helped me really understand what I’m passionate about and what I would like to engage with over the next four years and beyond. They gave a common theme to my profile and extracurriculars that not only stood out on my résumé but also played into my passions.

Athena helped me figure out my broad theme — we mapped out my projects, connected the dots, and shaped it all into a cohesive, compelling application.

Throughout the college process, several factors kept me going, including the unwavering support of my parents and the entire team at Athena. There were many times when I felt confused and uncertain, but Athena was always there to guide me. This self-discovery process, although challenging, was incredibly valuable.

Athena helped me discover my true self. Initially, I was scared but excited to find a supportive community to grow with. Athena’s sessions, meetings, and writing clubs were pivotal, culminating in the joyful moment of college acceptance. Athena’s approach felt like a walk through a meadow — collaborative, bold, and creative.

It had been my dream to write a research paper, but I thought I’d have to wait until college. I came to Athena and found out they had a full-fledged research department. I thought, ‘Oh my God!’ Athena will adapt to exactly what you want. They are a bank of wisdom, always there to solve your problems.

Athena understood my fit. I wanted to be in a place with an entrepreneurial environment that fosters creativity and interdisciplinary thinking while also having a strong academic community. Athena made me think about my authentic self and honed that individuality in my essays.

One of the projects I did with Athena involved breast cancer surveys and screening camps for rural Indian women in Karnataka. This multi-step project pushed me to my limits. Athena gave me direction, bound all the efforts together, and gave me a solid path forward.