Karenina Pelias - From Cyber Warfare to Yale
Tell us about yourself, Karenina!
Hometown: Killeen, Texas
What is your anticipated school and intended major? Neuroscience at Yale University, class of 2028
What did you do in the military? Cyber Warfare Technician
Fun fact about yourself: I have a tattoo half-sleeve of my dachshund because he is a very good boy.
Tell us about your experience applying to college. I used to have a strained relationship with school. Growing up, my self-worth was tied to my academic accomplishments. I got good grades and even graduated high school as the class valedictorian, which brought me pride but also left me feeling lost and unsure of my path beyond others' expectations.
I wanted to find who I was outside the classroom, so I joined the Navy as a Cyber Warfare Technician. My decision to enlist faced criticism from friends and family who saw it as a mistake. However, I saw joining as an opportunity to discover myself. My service allowed me to overcome new challenges and uncover my potential as a whole person. From intensive training in networking concepts to leading peers, the Navy demanded adaptability and continuous learning, and I grew in response to what came my way.
Most importantly, I found my voice. I struggled with my mental health and hit a low in 2022. Unfortunately, when I sought help, I was met with hostility and ambiguity from the base appointment line. Fueled by this experience, I crowdsourced testimonies from my peers and brought the issue of mental healthcare barriers to my command, resulting in clarified resources and additional providers. Though positive change was made, I felt the fight wasn’t over. I learned that getting better was an ongoing, lengthy process for many. This inspired me to change direction toward a career in clinical research.
I knew I needed to go back to school, so I sought guidance from Service to School (S2S). S2S’s virtual fairs provided invaluable insights into what top universities sought in applicants and helped me decide where to apply. Additionally, I received personalized guidance in crafting my application from my ambassador, Jesse. As another Cyber Warfare Technician, he understood my experiences completely and was crucial in translating them into my college applications. I wholeheartedly believe I wouldn’t have been accepted into Yale University without him!
At Yale, I plan to major in Neuroscience and hope to join one of the research labs at the medical school. Beyond academics, I am excited to connect with my heritage through the Filipino club, Kasama, and explore new interests like stand-up comedy and music production through various campus clubs. Attending Yale is not just the next step in my career; it’s an opportunity to discover more in life and make meaningful change.
What was the biggest benefit to using Service to School throughout the application process? S2S paired me with an ambassador who did the same job I did in the Navy and could relate to my experiences. It's huge having another set of eyes to demilitarize your experiences on paper, especially when they can completely understand where you are coming from and what you are trying to convey in your application materials.
What are you most excited about in regards to starting school? I'm super excited to get back in touch with my roots as a Filipino-American! While I feel fortunate to have been born and raised in the United States, I've always felt a cultural disconnect between my relatives raised in the Philippines and myself. I want to learn more to understand my parents and grandparents better. One of the best things about Yale is how the college encourages its students to excel and explore beyond academics. I'm excited to leverage Yale's Kasama Club and language learning opportunities to enrich my life beyond the books.
What are your goals post-graduation? Currently, I see myself applying for an MD/PhD program with the end goal of conducting clinical research. My time in the military as both a peer and a leader for other Sailors sparked a personal interest in improving mental healthcare. I'm most interested in improving treatments for mental illness — if there's a way to expedite feeling better, I want to find it!
Karenina’s advice for veterans who are applying to college:
Communicate, communicate, communicate! Ask questions even when you assume the answer might be no. Much of the college application process is tailored toward traditional high school seniors; you'd be surprised at how flexible admissions officers can be if you're willing to ask for alternative solutions to things like letters of recommendation from teachers. Don't let the process scare you into giving up — just ask!
It's one thing to get help, and it's another thing to get help from someone who's where you want to be. Peer-to-peer mentorship helped me realize that my educational goals were not only dreams but very attainable. I felt comfortable leaning on my S2S Ambassador because he had been in my shoes; he'd already tread the path I was about to embark on, and I trusted that he could get me to where he was.
Congrats again Karenina on your acceptance to Yale University!
