Sara Abdelrahman
Bachelor of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology
Sudan · IGCSE and A-Levels, AAA · IELTS 7.0
Interviewed 14 October 2026 at 3:01 · 8 min
Summary
Sara is a motivated applicant whose interest in malaria grew from a family illness and is backed by lab experience, clinic volunteering, and independent reading. Sara communicates clearly, is thoughtful about lab work, and showed initiative in a small but useful leadership example, with the least developed area being the specific reasons for choosing Khalifa University.
Check before deciding
- The applicant's reasons for choosing Khalifa University were general and uncertain, so the committee may want to confirm genuine interest in its research programs.
- The applicant's leadership example is a single sign-up sheet, and the interview did not explore further organizing or leading beyond it.
Khalifa University interview criteria
Proficiency in English communication
4/5Sara answers clearly and fluently in English with only minor hesitations, and the transcript shows no real communication barrier.
“That accuracy matters more than speed. And when something fails, you check your own steps before you blame the chemicals.”
Sara, in the interviewFamiliarity with the relevant profession
4/5Sara describes a specific lab experience with PCR and gel electrophoresis and draws a sound lesson from it, though the general description of the job was unsure.
“Last summer I did a summer school program at a university in Khartoum. We did PCR and then gel electrophoresis.”
Sara, in the interviewCommitment to pursue a professional degree program
4/5Sara has sustained weekend clinic volunteering and self-directed reading, and links both to a personal reason for pursuing the degree.
“I volunteer at a community health clinic on weekends. I also read papers about malaria vaccines, but they're hard, so I read them slowly.”
Sara, in the interviewReasons for choosing Khalifa University
3/5Sara gives a relevant reason, the English-language teaching and research focus, but admits uncertainty about how the research opportunities work.
“I like that it's a research university, so I think undergrads can get into research early. I'm not sure exactly how that works yet.”
Sara, in the interviewEvaluation of potential leadership capabilities
4/5Sara gives a specific example with a clear personal role, creating a sign-up sheet that other volunteers adopted, though the account is brief and modest.
“at the clinic, nobody was organizing the waiting room schedule, so I made a simple sign-up sheet. Then the other volunteers started using it.”
Sara, in the interview
Full transcript
21 turns
- Nura
Hi Sara, I'm Nura, and I'll be doing your Khalifa University admissions interview today. It takes about six minutes and there are no trick questions. To start, what first got you interested in Cell and Molecular Biology?
- Sara
Hi, um, thank you. I think it started when I was like twelve. My cousin got malaria and she was really sick for a week, and I kept asking my mum why the medicine works for some people and not others.
- Nura
That sounds like a hard week for your family. What does someone with a cell and molecular biology degree actually do day to day?
- Sara
Uh, I think they work in labs, growing cells, running experiments, looking at DNA or proteins. They write a lot of reports too. And they repeat things a lot because experiments fail, which I read about, so... I'm not totally sure yet.
- Nura
Can you give me one specific example from your own lab experience?
- Sara
Yes. Last summer I did a summer school program at a university in Khartoum. We did PCR and then gel electrophoresis. My first time loading the gel, I put too much sample in the wells, so the bands were smeared. The instructor showed me how to use the micropipette properly.
- Nura
What did that experience teach you about working in a lab?
- Sara
That accuracy matters more than speed. And when something fails, you check your own steps before you blame the chemicals. I think that was the most useful thing I learned there.
- Nura
Outside of class, what have you done toward biology or medicine?
- Sara
I volunteer at a community health clinic on weekends. Mostly I help with registration, and sometimes I translate for patients. I also read papers about malaria vaccines, but they're hard, so I read them slowly.
- Nura
What did you take away from the clinic work?
- Sara
That patients often don't understand their medicine instructions. I think that's a research problem too, not only a doctor problem, like how you explain things so people actually follow them.
- Nura
Why Khalifa University, and not another university?
- Sara
Khalifa is in Abu Dhabi and teaches in English, which I need. I like that it's a research university, so I think undergrads can get into research early. I'm not sure exactly how that works yet, so I'd want to ask about it.
- Nura
Tell me about a time you led others or took the first step on something.
- Sara
Um, I'm not a big leader, honestly. But at the clinic, nobody was organizing the waiting room schedule, so I made a simple sign-up sheet. Then the other volunteers started using it. I didn't really say anything, I just did it.
- Nura
What did you feel when the other volunteers started following your sheet?
- Sara
Kind of relieved? And a bit embarrassed, because I didn't want the attention. But I think I can do it more if it's actually useful for people.
- Nura
Is there anything you want the committee to know that we haven't covered?
- Sara
Yes. Malaria isn't just a disease I read about, it's something my family has lived with. I want to be someone who helps solve it. I know I'm quiet, but I work carefully and I don't give up on a problem easily.
- Nura
Thank you, Sara. That's all for today, and the admissions team will be in touch with you after your interview.