Crafting Tomorrow’s MENA Leaders

Top-tier College Admissions Consulting

Founded by MENA graduates of MIT, Harvard, Stanford, and Berkeley.

At Socotra Education, we are inspired by the Socotra tree—a rare and resilient symbol of the MENA region, embodying the richness and diversity of its environment. Just as the Socotra tree thrives by drawing strength from its unique roots, we believe our students can leverage their diverse backgrounds to grow into the leaders of tomorrow.

Our mission extends beyond college admissions; it’s about fostering a legacy of leadership, innovation, and social impact in the MENA region. Applications are now open for our inaugural offering, The Socotra Fellowship, for 2024/2025 applicants.

Why Socotra?

We've done it ourselves.

All of Socotra Education’s advisors have been admitted to or graduated from top-20 universities. Our founders, who graduated from Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and Berkeley have successfully guided students into these prestigious institutions and others, including Columbia, UPenn, Yale, Duke, and NYU.

We understand the region.

Whether you’re an international student or a U.S. citizen, we understand the unique complexities of applying to U.S. universities from the MENA region. In 2024, with evolving challenges and opportunities, it’s more important than ever to craft compelling narratives that stand out. At Socotra Education, our advisors are uniquely qualified to guide you—each has either attended high school in the Middle East or has extensive experience working across the region. We’re here to help you maximize your chances of success in the competitive admissions landscape.

We know it's stressful.

We take a mental health-conscious approach, ensuring our students not only achieve their academic goals but also maintain emotional and mental well-being throughout the process.

the
socotra fellowship

Through the Socotra Fellowship, we offer a personalized strategy for competitive US college applicants, designed to optimize your admission to top 20 universities. Our services include the following:

  • College & Major Selection: Expert, tailored advice aligning with your unique strengths and goals.

  • Essay Crafting: Developing compelling, authentic narratives that stand out.

  • Extracurricular Portfolio Curation: Strategic packaging to highlight leadership and impact.

  • Financial Aid Guidance: Expert navigation of funding opportunities to maximize aid.

  • Interview Coaching: Intensive preparation to ensure you excel in admissions interviews.

Fellowship FAQs

  • The Socotra Fellowship is an exclusive program dedicated to guiding incoming 12th graders through every step of the college application process. We provide tailored support in essay development, strategic college selection, and Common App preparation. We are also designing new, advanced programming for 9th, 10th, and 11th graders. Join our mailing list to stay informed and take advantage of these opportunities as they unfold.

  • The first step is a simple form which asks for basic information, including academic scores. Students should apply by August 30 to ensure priority consideration. Select students will be invited to a second application round which includes an online interview with the high school applicant. The fellowships will begin on September 15.

  • Eligible applicants for the Socotra Fellowship are incoming 12th graders (2024/2025 applicants) with strong academic records, leadership potential, and a commitment to growth. Future programming will soon extend to 9th, 10th, and 11th graders. Join our mailing list for updates on specific criteria.

  • The program includes tailored guidance on college and major selection, essay ideation and writing, extracurricular portfolio design, financial aid planning, and interview preparation.

  • The Socotra Fellowship begins on September 15.

  • The program runs throughout the college application cycle, offering continuous support until all applications are submitted.

  • The Socotra Fellowship is a paid fellowship, and costs are tailored based on student needs and abilities. A limited number of need-based scholarships are available. Contact us here.