Rhythm and Robotics: Milica’s Journey to CU Boulder

Milica is a study in contrasts. By day, she was a researcher at Petnica, the most prestigious science center in the Balkans, digging into Applied Physics. By night, she was on the dance floor, a four-time National Champion in Latin Dance.

With a resume that spans from entrepreneurship competitions in Brussels to electronics clubs at home, Milica set her sights on a one-way ticket to Colorado to pursue her ultimate goal: Robotics.

Student Snapshot

• Major: Robotics / Engineering
• The "Spike": Applied Physics + Latin Dance (4x National Champion)
• Outcome: Accepted to Robotics at University of Colorado Boulder (Top Tier Engineering)

Equedu: Milica, your background is incredibly diverse. You spent time at the Petnica Research Center, but you are also a National Dance Champion. How did you balance those two worlds?

Milica: For me, they were never separate worlds. Petnica was where my passion for science turned into a concrete goal. Working as an Associate at my school's Applied Physics and Electronics Club taught me the technical side of things.

But Latin Dance taught me discipline and rhythm. Being a four-time National Champion requires the same level of dedication as winning a National Entrepreneurship competition. Whether I was presenting a business case in Brussels or performing a routine, I learned how to perform under pressure. I think that mix of "lab coat" and "dance floor" is exactly what made my application stand out.

Equedu: You chose the University of Colorado Boulder. It's a fantastic school, but specific. What drew you to the Rockies?

Milica: I looked for a place where innovation meets lifestyle. CU Boulder has a massive international spirit, which appealed to me immediately. But practically speaking, it was the facilities.

Boulder is a Boulder is a hub for hub for aerospace and robotics. When I read about their engineering labs and the research opportunities for undergraduates, I realized this wasn't just a school; it was a launchpad. Plus, the scenery is marvelous. I could actually visualize myself living and thriving there. It just felt right.

I think that mix of 'lab coat' and 'dance floor' is exactly what made my application stand out.

Equedu: You mentioned that the US educational system offers a specific advantage. What was the driving force behind your decision to leave home?

Milica: It came down to long-term stability and opportunity. In the US, the support system for STEM students is unmatched. It is an extremely developed environment where hard work leads directly to career opportunities.

I wanted to eliminate "existential jeopardy." I didn't want to worry about whether my degree would be valuable. I knew that graduating from a US university would open doors that simply don't exist elsewhere. It makes the hard work of studying feel lighter when you know the payoff is guaranteed.

Equedu: Let’s talk about the application process. You worked closely with Equedu. How did that change your approach?

Milica: At the beginning, I was honestly ignorant about the US process. It seemed overwhelming, and that made me insecure.

The team at Equedu changed my perspective by doing something very specific: segmentation. They broke this massive, scary mountain into small, climbable steps. They didn't just dump information on me; they guided me through each phase. Their willingness to go the extra mile—doing things I didn't even know were necessary—turned my anxiety into confidence.

Across the US-bound STEM placements Equedu has supported since 2018, the consistent pattern is that the essay matters more than the resume. The medals and the test scores clear the initial threshold; the essay differentiates within the pile of applicants who all cleared it. The applicants who treat the essay as a one-week project consistently underperform applicants who treat it as a six-week iteration.

Equedu: Was there a specific "secret tip" or piece of advice from your mentor that stuck with you?

Milica: Definitely. It was the strategy behind the essays. There are "secret tips" regarding how to highlight yourself against thousands of other applicants that you just can't find on Google.

My mentor taught me to cherish the specific guidelines and warnings that differentiate a "good" essay from a "winning" one. I strongly believe those nuances were the main plus points during the review of my application. They helped me present the "whole package"—not just my grades, but my future potential.

Equedu: If you could give advice to a student applying next year, what would it be?

Milica: Embrace your failures. My advice is to write honestly about your life—not just the trophies. Don't be ashamed of the times you failed; use them. Admissions officers want to see resilience. Showing what you learned from a mistake is often more impressive than a perfect score.

And finally: Don't settle. Don't be satisfied with small things. You can do better and greater things than you think, as long as you are willing to listen to advice and put in the work.

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