Ayaulym Dekhkonbaeva

Ayaulym Dekhonbayeva, a graduate of the A. Bokeikhan BINOM School, finished 11th grade in May 2025. At this young age, she has already taken the first major step toward her lifelong goal: studying in the United States. Her journey is a true testament to ambition, persistence, and the courage to make bold decisions, even when the odds seem stacked against you.

Ayaulym’s dream of studying abroad began back in 9th grade, inspired by her older sister who was completing her undergraduate degree in the U.S. From that moment on, Ayaulym began her rigorous preparation for international exams.

Her year of IELTS preparation brought some early challenges; her first score was 6.0, which didn't meet her expectations. But she didn't let that stop her. During the summer of 2024, she attempted the SAT, and while she didn’t reach her target score immediately, her English proficiency improved significantly. By the winter of her 11th grade, she retook the IELTS and achieved a 7.0—a score she was proud of.

With limited time remaining, Ayaulym began submitting her applications through the regular decision process. The first university to accept her was Albion College in Michigan, which offered her a scholarship of over $48,000 per year. However, Ayaulym knew her heart was set on a different institution, so she decided to wait for the right fit.

—a prestigious private university known for its extensive network and opportunities for professional growth. Despite the high cost of tuition, Ayaulym decided to take the risk. By February, she had already received 6–7 offers, and by the end of March, that number had grown to DePaul University in Chicago — a prestigious private university with a wide network of contacts and opportunities for professional growth. Despite the high cost of tuition, Ayaulym decided to take the risk. By February, she had already received 6–7 offers, and by the end of March, that number had grown to 15. In the end, the total number of offers reached 21 invitations from universities across the United StatesWhen DePaul increased her scholarship offer, Ayaulym happily accepted, and she is now a successful first-year student majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Geography..

Ayaulym’s path to her dream was not easy. She admits that there were times she cried during the process—her parents were anxious about the high costs, and friends often expressed their doubts. Even the student visa process proved to be difficult. Yet, none of these obstacles deterred this determined young woman.

Ayaulym emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive approach: "Students must keep up with every aspect of the application" —beyond IELTS and SAT scores, one must pay close attention to grades, essays, and interview preparation. Her advice to future applicants, especially those starting their journey in the 11th grade, is simple: "If you already have a high IELTS score, do not waste time—start your applications and fill out the Common App right now."

Today, Ayaulym is thrilled with her university choice and actively shares her experience with others. Her story continues to inspire students at BI Education to embrace ambitious goals and pursue them step by step.

As she says, "Барлық түлектерге сәттілік тілеймін!" (I wish all graduates the best of luck!)