This past week, Sara Jarrar, a Horizons student from Jenin, was accepted into Harvard University under its Early Action program. Sara’s admission to Harvard puts her among a small and exclusive group of students from around the world. In fact, according to admissions data from last year, Sara could be one of as few as 700 students who are offered admissions to the elite university.
Sara joined Horizons in the 11th grade and was subsequently placed under the mentorship and guidance of US Track Leader Waseem. It was as a result of her diligence in and outside of the classroom as well as her close involvement with Horizons that Sara was able to accomplish this incredible feat. Indeed, through Horizons, Sara was afforded several life-changing opportunities. Sara’s achievement is especially remarkable given her hometown of Jenin. For the majority of her schooling journey, Sara attended the Jenin Secondary Girls School, a public school in the heart of the besieged city of Jenin. And, like the rest of Jenin’s residents, Sara was not spared from the disruptions caused by the war. With her education having to move online on several occasions, Sara sought out creative ways to supplement and further her knowledge. Whether through her involvement with the New York Academy of Sciences, her work as a Public Relations Associate at the San Francisco-based SocrAI, or her participation in numerous other initiatives, Sara played an active role in pursuing a better future for herself.
“The guidance and mentorship Horizons provided played an instrumental role in helping me gain admission to Harvard University,” Sara wrote in a LinkedIn post announcing her achievement. “Without the continuous support of the Horizons team, I truly believe I wouldn’t be where I am today.” Reacting to his student’s acceptance, Waseem remarked, “Sara serves as a prime example of Horizon Academy’s mission in action. When I first met Sara, being accepted at Harvard seemed to her like a distant dream, and today, it is her reality. This is the beauty and the power of this program. This is Horizons.”Looking ahead to Sara’s arrival at Harvard in the Fall of 2025, she plans to pursue a joint concentration in Electrical Engineering and Physics. Sara also looks forward to immersing herself in all that Harvard has to offer.“Attending Harvard has been a dream of mine since childhood,” Sara said. “I’m looking forward to all that the next four years will bring!”
