Somali girl in Minnesota gets accepted to all 8 Ivy League universities

Munira Khalif, an 18 year-old Somali-American recognized for her achievements as an education activist, has been accepted into all the eight Ivy League universities in the United States.

Munira, a senior at Mounds Park Academy in St. Paul, has been also been accepted into Stanford, Georgetown and the University of Minnesota.

“I was very surprised. The best part for me was being able to call family members on the phone and to hear their excitement,” Munira said according to Kare 11. “This was truly a blessing from God. To me this news is reflective of the support and encouragement of my family, my school and my community.”

The eight Ivy League schools are Harvard University, Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, the University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University and Yale University.

This is not the first time Munira has landed such prestigious position: last year, she was one of nine young nominees chosen from a pool of 300 people across the world to receive the United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education’s Youth Courage Award.

Munira is also a state speech champion; an ambassador for A World At School, which campaigns for universal education; and is the founder of Lighting the Way, a non-profit that helps youth in East Africa access education opportunities and scholarships. She was also named the 2014 Minnesota state poetry champion, according to the Pioneer Press report.

Her outstanding academic record and active participation in community activities have made many use her story as a perfect exemplar of immigrant success.

Munira wants to major in political science and continue working to affect positive change in society.

“I am humbled to even have the opportunity to choose amongst these schools because they are all incredible places to learn and grow,” Munira told the FOX9.