From Land of Dawn to Harvard: How Mobile Legends Became Part of Reya Siojo’s Academic Triumph

When Reya Siojo sat down to write the Harvard University admission essay that would ultimately change her life, she could have easily listed the usual achievements that one of the world’s most prestigious universities typically looks for in an applicant.

Instead, Reya chose to write about something many people would least expect—taking pride in being a Mobile Legends player. 

As Elle Woods famously says, “I think it gives it a little something extra, don’t you think?” And it certainly did, helping Reya stand out among the hundreds of students dreaming of getting into Harvard.

To some, the thought of including gaming in an Ivy League application might be unusual. For Reya, however, it was an important part of her identity—one that taught her discipline, built meaningful connections, and showcased the person behind her achievements, which ultimately secured her a full scholarship to Harvard University.

A little something extra
Reya first stepped into the Land of Dawn during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Like millions of young Filipinos stuck in their homes, she installed the game simply to stay connected with friends she could no longer meet in person. She initially intended to delete it after a few weeks, worried it might interfere with her studies.

But gaming became her breather after long hours of studying. It served as a reward after performing well on exams and a way to destress whenever schoolwork became overwhelming.

Yet she never allowed the game to dictate her schedule. Academics always came first.

During weekends, vacations, and semester breaks, she allowed herself a few hours to enjoy ranked matches with friends before returning to her academic responsibilities.

That balance became one of the defining aspects of her journey. Rather than interfering with her studies, MLBB became a healthy outlet that helped her avoid burnout while allowing her to stay connected with friends despite being physically apart.

An avid fan of veteran midlaner Salic “Hadji” Imam since the M3 World Championship when he was still with Blacklist International, Reya also climbed as high as Mythical Glory with 71 stars and was once ranked as one of the top Ruby players in La Union.

She revealed that she never dreamed of becoming a professional player, admitting she plays primarily for enjoyment rather than competition. Yet her understanding of the game runs deep enough that she can effortlessly compare managing academic deadlines to winning team fights inside the Land of Dawn.

More importantly, gaming became something she embraced rather than hid.

When Harvard asked applicants to introduce themselves through supplemental essays, Reya mentioned being a mobile gamer and that she wanted to bring Mobile Legends to campus, where the game has yet to gain the popularity it enjoys across Southeast Asia.

Rather than hurting her chances, Reya believes it helped distinguish her from thousands of other applicants.

“Including MLBB in my Harvard application added some personality to my profile. I think it’s kind of rare to see a female gamer include her gaming hobby in Ivy League essays, and I even wrote about the game to my future roommates in the US,” Reya said.

Raised by her grandmother, who became her legal guardian after her mother passed away when she was still young, Reya initially faced the same concerns many Filipino students hear at home.

Would gaming become a distraction?

Her grandmother wondered whether Mobile Legends would become a distraction from her studies. Her older brother even teased that she was not good enough to keep playing.

But as time passed, her grandmother’s concerns turned into support.

Her grandmother eventually became one of her biggest supporters—even encouraging her whenever she joined MLBB competitions during school intramurals.

What, like it’s hard?
Reya knows when to play hard and when to study even harder, making her Harvard acceptance feel worthy of another unforgettable Elle Woods quip: “What, like it’s hard?”

The biggest moment came when Reya revealed that she had been admitted to Harvard.

At first, her family thought she was kidding.

Only after seeing her admission letter did reality sink in.

Their excitement only grew after learning she had received a full scholarship covering tuition, housing, meals, books, airfare, and personal expenses.

For her family, the same game they once feared might derail her future and dreams had become part of the journey that helped secure it.

Reya understands why parents remain cautious about video games. She also understands why many students struggle to balance their hobbies with their academic responsibilities. But if her story proves anything, it is that the problem has never been gaming itself.

The real challenge lies in discipline.

She believes games should not replace academics, but neither should they be completely forbidden. Like any hobby, they can become a healthy part of a student’s life when combined with proper time management and self-control.

And that carried her to one of the world’s most prestigious universities.

For every student who has ever been told that gaming would lead nowhere, Reya’s journey proves otherwise: success isn’t about giving up what you love but carrying it with you and letting it become part of the path that leads you forward.