The 18-year-old, who was an intern for six months with FMT Business last year, still cannot believe she will be studying at one of the world’s top schools.
“I was a bit shocked, but also very grateful. I know it’s hard to get in, it’s very competitive,” the older of two siblings shared. “It did feel like I just won the lottery when I saw the acceptance letter.”
The PJ-born recalls it was the Friday morning of March 29: a bunch of emails had come into her inbox, but she decided to wait until she reached her workplace to open them.
She had also received a curious text message from FedEx stating a parcel was headed her way. “I was a bit confused because I hadn’t ordered anything, and I was concerned it was one of those scams,” Thamini, who is of Malay-Indian heritage, recalled.
She clicked on the link anyway and discovered, to her astonishment, that it was, in fact, the offer-of-admission packet on its way to her. Upon finally checking her emails and seeing the corresponding message from Harvard College, she realised it was the real deal.
The former head prefect at elc International School, who completed her A-Levels at Methodist College Kuala Lumpur, is one of four Malaysians to have been accepted into Harvard College for the new academic year, graduating in 2028.
The others are Bryan Lim, Victor Ngow, and Elisa See. They are among the 15.4% of international students selected from across 94 countries to attend Harvard College.
While she also received offers from other prestigious institutions such as Oxford and Leeds, she said Harvard held a special place in her heart as it would give her “a lot of academic flexibility”.
Indeed, her interests are varied: philosophy, mythology, and stage lighting are subjects high on her list. She’s also keen on photography and Lego Technic.
Ultimately, her internship with FMT’s business desk and KAF Investment Bank last year, as well as her involvement with her school’s debate and Model United Nations teams, helped her to decide on her major: economics.
After all, “a lot of the debate topics were about resource allocation, taxes, what a good society looks like, and how corporations should act ethically and morally”, Thamini explained.
Still, it’s not going to be purely academic pursuits at Harvard. Set to fly off to Boston, Massachusetts in August, she already has plans on how she intends to fill her time over the next four years.
These include Harvard Model UN, Boston theatre, and ballet, which she has been learning since she was four. She’s also eager to try new things, including sailing on the Charles River!
Thamini acknowledges that her achievement isn’t just about luck: it is a testament to her hard work and perseverance. Her not-so-secret weapon is her support network – friends, family members, and mentors who have cheered her on every step of the way.
“My parents have been very supportive, and my friends are always there to encourage me,” Thamini said.
And while she’s excited about all the incredible opportunities Harvard has to offer, she also knows she’ll miss the warmth of the Malaysian sun, the comfort of home-cooked meals, and the laughter of loved ones.
“It’ll be waterworks on my last day here. It’s going to be quite hard to leave. I definitely want to spend a lot of time with my family and friends, as well as stuffing my face with Malaysian food!” she laughed.
Ultimately, Thamini said she isn’t just dreaming for herself – she’s dreaming for Malaysia, too, and wholly believes in the power of education to change lives.
This is part of what she has learnt during her present internship (as of press time) with Teach for Malaysia, a non-profit organisation dedicated to tackling education inequity, and she’s bent on making a difference for Malaysian youths after graduating.
So, does she have any advice for others who are chasing their dreams? Simple: surround yourself with people who believe in you.
“It’s easy to doubt yourself, so sometimes you just need external confidence, and I think that helps a lot,” Thamini concluded.