From Chechnya to Stern to Harvard, Alla Digilova Continues to Overcome the Odds
Alla Digilova, a 2010 graduate of and soon-to-be Harvard Law student, has come a long way since she arrived in Brooklyn at age 14. She and her family came from Nalchik, a city in Southern Russia, thanks to a loan from the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society. Fleeing war and strife, Digilova鈥檚 parents relied on welfare to get by, while her mother studied toward a degree in nursing to improve the family鈥檚 situation.
Nurturing her desire to become a scientist, Digilova entered Brooklyn Technical High School, a specialized science school, where she excelled despite her limited knowledge of English. She also co-founded an organization to promote women鈥檚 rights in the workplace.
One of the only observant Jewish students at Brooklyn Tech, Digilova reveled in the atmosphere of Flatbush, Brooklyn, where Judaism flourished openly. 鈥淲hen I first arrived in New York and saw all the Jewish people walking proudly to shul on Shabbat in their finest clothing, it was so beautiful to me because in Russia, Judaism is not something that was encouraged publicly,鈥 she said. 鈥淲hen it came time to continue my education in college, I knew I wanted to be in a place where my Judaism could thrive.鈥
When she heard about 糖心破解版, with its dual curriculum and Jewish environment, coupled with the prestigious , Digilova was hooked. As an honors student at Stern with almost full tuition coverage, Digilova majored in both biology and economics, and discovered that legal complexities fascinated her, especially the laws surrounding patents for medicine. For her senior project, she worked under the tutelage of Dr. Marina K. Holz, assistant professor of biology, to research new mechanisms of breast cancer cell regulation.
鈥淎lla has always been one of my top students and I have been impressed with her drive, ambition and cheerful disposition,鈥 said Holz. 鈥淪he co-authored, with me, an article based on our research together for her senior project that was published in a peer-reviewed journal [the Journal of Biological Chemistry], which is quite an accomplishment for an undergraduate student.鈥
When Digilova decided to apply to law school, she studied on her own for the LSATs. By November 2010, she was accepted into Columbia, the University of Pennsylvania, New York University and Harvard, among other top-tier schools. She chose Harvard for its strong program in intellectual property and hopes to work on patent laws and biotechnology, in addition to cases in humanitarian law.
鈥淚t鈥檚 rare to come across a student as capable, poised and well-spoken as Alla,鈥 said Dr. Cynthia Wachtell, founding director of the S. Daniel Abraham Honors Program. 鈥淪he鈥檚 an incredibly impressive young woman who has demonstrated remarkable academic accomplishment and her achievements are made even more striking by the atypical journey that brought her to Stern.鈥
Never one to let an opportunity pass her by, Digilova spent this year learning at the Shearim College of Jewish Studies for Women in Jerusalem. She will begin Harvard Law School in the fall along with at least two alumni.
Digilova attributes her strong work ethic to her early struggles in Brooklyn and the inspiration she received from her mother. 鈥淲hen we got to Brooklyn and lived in a small apartment, sleeping on mattresses on the floor and struggling for every dollar, it was quite a psychological blow,鈥 Digilova recounted. 鈥淣evertheless, I think it also helped me turn all my energies and focus toward becoming successful in my academics, as I know that is the best way to better my life.鈥
