Bend it like Beckham
This North African team has won the most Africa Cup of Nations titles, with a record seven championships
Egypt
This classic white sneaker by Nike remains the top-selling style among teenage guys, with nearly every high schooler owning at least one pair
Nike Air Force 1
A powerful rap anthem by Kendrick Lamar that debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, racking up massive first-week streams.
Not Like US
This Olympic gold medalist is known for his unbeatable stride, infectious smile, and habit of breaking world records before breakfast.
Haile Gebreselassie
This heartfelt (and sometimes tear-stained) document explains who you are, what matters to you, and why the school should care.
Personal Statements
This West African powerhouse won its first Africa Cup in 2013 and is known for its green jersey and Super Eagles nickname.
Nigeria
This slip-on rubber clog with holes became cool again thanks to collabs with artists and fun charms.
Crocs
Emotional ballad by Benson Boone that reached the top 2 on Billboard Hot 100 and topped many teen playlists.
Beautiful Things
Crowned in 1930, he gave Mussolini a piece of his mind at the League of Nations and inspired a global spiritual movement.
Haile Selassie I
They’re written by people who (hopefully) like you—teachers, counselors, mentors—and vouch for your brilliance on paper.
Letter of recommendations
This country became the first African team to reach the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup in 2022.
Morocco
These suede platform boots from Australia are warm, fuzzy inside, and a favorite fall shoe among teen girls.
Ugg boots
Hauntingly melodic song by Billie Eilish that resonated deeply with teens during summer 2024.
Birds of a Feather
The write of Held at a Distance about returning to her homeland, and co-founded the Ethiopian Education Initiative and established THIS SCHOOL for the gifted and talented in Debre Berhan
Haile Minas Academy
Colleges love well-rounded students, so get involved in these—whether it’s robotics, basketball, or competitive duck herding.
Extracurricular activities
The Indomitable Lions roar from this Central African country that won Olympic gold in 2000.
Cameroon
These comfy Boston-style clogs are made from suede or leather and have a cult following on TikTok.
Birkenstock
A Taylor Swift hit from 2019 that had a comeback through fan-driven TikTok trends.
Cruel Summer
A cinematic rebel, he directed SANKOFA, a haunting film shot partly in a slave castle in Ghana, challenging viewers to reckon with history.
Haile Gerima
Some schools ask for these short-answer responses that show how much you really want to be there—no copy-pasting, please!
Supplemental essays
The name of Ghana's national football team
Black Stars
Double Jeopardy
This classic black leather shoe with a chunky sole is worn with everything from jeans to skirts and gives school-uniform vibes.
Doc Martins
Double Jeopardy
This breakout track by Rophnan blends traditional Ethiopian sounds with EDM and helped launch him to national fame in 2018.
Ney
He helped draft the Universal Declaration of Human Rights — no big deal, just helping write the global rulebook
Aklilu Haile
The grand application hub accepted by over 1,000 colleges across the U.S.—and where you’ll upload almost everything except your snack stash.
The Common App