DEARBORN — Fordson High School senior Mariam Jalloul was recently accepted to Harvard, one of the most prestigious universities in the world. Jalloul, who’s Lebanese and has lived in Dearborn her whole life, is expected to begin classes at the Ivy League school Fall 2012.

Mariam Jalloul

In the process of writing an essay for her application, Jalloul discussed Dearborn’s Arab community. “I just love Fordson and my Dearborn community. Even when I graduate from Harvard, I’m definitely going to give back to this community. It’s what raised me, and it’s my home,” Jalloul said. 

 While she’s going in as an undecided major, Jalloul is leaning towards the medical field and plans on becoming a physician. She hopes to give back in the form of a scholarship or treating people here at medical centers. 

“I think the reason I love this community so much is the sense of family and closeness. Everyone here supports each other, you can tell for instance maybe when there’s a tragedy in this community everyone comes together,” Jalloul said.  

She initially thought about pursuing a college career at Harvard in fifth grade. Jalloul was still skeptical about whether she would be admitted.  “It was almost like a far-fetched dream that I never thought I would do,” she said. Close friends convinced her to apply this summer over lunch.      “It hasn’t hit me yet. I actually can’t believe I got in,” she said. 

The 17-year-old’s three siblings are all currently enrolled at Wayne State University. Her brother wants to pursue pharmacy; Jalloul’s two sisters are in the nursing program. 

She ranks number one in her class, and could be valedictorian by graduation. She holds a 4.381 GPA and has seven AP classes. In addition to duel enrollment at HFCC, she’s the president of the Key Club; member of the National Honor Society; Generation of Promise participant; member of Students Today Leaders Forever and has written for the School Life Newspaper. 

She says many of her peers have the same credentials as her, and would have got admitted to Harvard if they applied. Her admission into the school has prompted other students at Fordson to apply. She insisted on sending a message to Dearborn’s youth: “Go for it, because it’s attainable.”