“I remember watching videos from former fellows of a few of the fellowships I applied to, and nearly all of them just said, “Be yourself.” While that’s technically true, it drove me crazy… People don’t just need encouragement—they need structure. I always scoffed at that kind of pep talk because it felt disconnected from what actually helps: clear steps, real examples, and guidance that meets you where you are.”
Safia Gelle is a real estate developer and a incoming graduate student at Stanford University, where she plans to pursue a joint MBA and Master of International Policy (MIP) degree. She earned her BA from Columbia University. Her work focuses on the intersection of housing, infrastructure, and economic mobility, particularly for low- to moderate-income communities. As co-founder of Stride Development, a Public Benefit Corporation, Safia leads projects that prioritize sustainability, energy efficiency, and access to opportunity—integrating features like Passive House standards, childcare access, proximity to transit, and supportive services into affordable housing developments. In 2025, she was admitted to Stanford, MIT, and Columbia, and was selected as a Paul & Daisy Soros Fellow for New Americans.
In her free time, Safia enjoys playing tennis, exploring New York City’s food and art scenes with her husband, and discovering rooftop spots and pastry shops tucked across the city.
Thank you so much for doing this with us, Safia! To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about your background? How did you get into policy and development and why do you care so much about it?
I’ve witnessed poverty in many forms, from rural communities in Ethiopia and Kenya to disinvested neighborhoods in the U.S., like Linden in Columbus, Ohio, where I interned during college. Despite the difference in geography, the challenges were remarkably similar: inadequate infrastructure, limited public transit, and housing that was neither safe nor stable. It made me realize that the problems we often think of as global are deeply local too, and that poverty isn’t just about income, but about the environments we build.
That experience was a catalyst. I wanted to understand how to improve people’s livelihoods in a way that was tangible, immediate, and scalable. Housing and community development felt like the most direct path. People spend most of their lives in their neighborhoods—if we can design communities that are well-resourced, walkable, and supportive, we can fundamentally reshape opportunity.
There’s so much research showing how your zip code determines your health, your education, and your economic future. For me, tackling poverty meant focusing on the spaces that shape daily life. I chose a bottom-up approach: if we build neighborhoods with the right infrastructure, housing, and support systems, we don’t just reduce poverty, we create real pathways to stability, health, and upward mobility.
How do you envision your career or research making the world a better place?
In the long term, I want to help eliminate informal settlements, reduce car dependency, and replace outdated infrastructure with sustainable, human-centered systems. My goal is to expand the work of Stride, first across the U.S. and then globally, building neighborhoods that are affordable, connected, and designed to support people’s lives.
By integrating housing with transit, child care, green space, and economic opportunity, I believe we can tackle poverty at its root. I also want to create scalable models that show governments and developers alike that equitable, climate-conscious development isn’t just possible. It’s necessary. Because the way I see it, we either build smarter communities or we kill the planet trying not to.
Safia’s “Must Read List” For Future Policymakers
Is there a particular book, class, or lesson that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?
Sorry if this is long—several books have shaped how I think about poverty, inequality, and the role of housing and infrastructure in people’s lives. Five stand out: Seeing Like a State by James C. Scott, Dead Aid by Dambisa Moyo, Urban Rage by Mustafa Dikeç, Capital by Thomas Piketty, and American Bonds by Sarah L. Quinn. These works gave me a clear understanding of how systems operate—and how development, when done right, can correct some of their failures.
Seeing Like a State showed me how top-down planning often fails because it ignores the realities of the people it’s meant to serve. That lesson guides how I approach community development. I don’t start with a blueprint; I start with people—understanding their routines, priorities, and needs. It’s why our work at Stride focuses on transit access, childcare, and community resources, not just buildings.
Dead Aid challenged the idea that external aid alone can drive real progress. It helped me see that sustainable development has to come from within communities, backed by investment—not just assistance. This directly informs my goal of creating financially self-sustaining housing models that don’t rely on short-term subsidies, but instead blend public and private tools to create long-term value.
Urban Rage made it clear that disinvestment in urban communities is not accidental. Poor infrastructure, housing segregation, and public neglect are the results of policy choices. This book reinforced for me that development is not just technical—it’s political. And if we’re not actively undoing those patterns, we’re reinforcing them. That belief shapes how I choose projects, who I partner with, and what outcomes I measure.
Capital gave me a framework for understanding how wealth builds over generations—and how those without assets are consistently locked out of opportunity. It pushed me to think about ownership in development: Who benefits? Who holds equity? That’s why I focus not just on affordability, but on building models that help renters build credit, access ownership, or share in the long-term value their communities create.
American Bonds tied it all together. It revealed how credit markets—especially mortgage systems—have shaped American neighborhoods while systematically excluding low-income and Black communities. It made clear that the way we finance housing matters just as much as the housing itself. That’s why I work to structure deals that push for more inclusive underwriting, rethink risk, and challenge financial practices that have historically marginalized entire populations.
Together, these books didn’t just change how I think—they clarified how I build. They taught me that development is a chance to correct structural harm, and that where and how people live is one of the most powerful levers we have to improve lives.
SOPs, Oversharing, and the Dangers of “Being Yourself”
Those are such awesome and thoughtful recommendations, Safia. Thank you so much! Now, if you don’t mind, let’s pivot to the big focus of our interview: grad admissions. In your experience, what was the biggest obstacle you faced—or that you think others face—in applying to degree programs in your field?
The challenge for me was figuring out how much of myself to share. There’s a lot of talk about being “authentic,” but that can be vague advice when you’re navigating personal experiences alongside professional goals. I didn’t want my application to feel too guarded, but I also didn’t want to cross into being overly personal. What helped was focusing on what aspects of my background clearly supported my motivations and direction.
Is there a particular person or teacher who you’re grateful towards who helped you navigate this process? Can you share a story about that?
I didn’t have a formal mentor or teacher guiding me through this process. In both academia and my work, I found that most advice was too high-level to be useful. What helped me most was the SOP guidelines from WriteIvy. That framework gave me the clarity I needed to organize my story—what to say, what to leave out, and how to make it cohesive without losing depth.
I remember watching videos from former fellows of a few of the fellowships I applied to, and nearly all of them just said, “Be yourself.” While that’s technically true, it drove me crazy. There’s a way to be yourself without turning your essay into a therapy session. People don’t just need encouragement—they need structure. I always scoffed at that kind of pep talk because it felt disconnected from what actually helps: clear steps, real examples, and guidance that meets you where you are.
[Editor’s Note: This is astonishingly good advice from Safia! The need for clear steps and guidance isn’t just relevant to writing—it’s a problem that permeates all our education systems, and, I suspect, reflects why Safia’s professional work is so effective at helping real people in the real world.]
I also tried an online tutoring company, but the advice was inconsistent and left me more confused than confident. In the end, what helped most was pulling insights from honest online communities, trusting my gut, and using a strong framework to tell my story on my own terms.
I’m totally going to quote you on that, Safia: “People don’t just need encouragement—they need structure.” That’s fantastic. What do you think was the most important thing that helped you accomplish all these amazing things? Your success has been truly special.
I’m not just saying this because you’re reading it, Jordan—but the SOP guidelines genuinely changed the game for me. Last year, I applied to the Schwarzman Scholars program with help from a Columbia professor—PhD, mentor-adjacent, all the credentials. And yet, it still went completely off track. I later found out they didn’t even watch the video I had to upload—they rejected my application before even opening it.
I didn’t magically accomplish more in the year that followed. The real difference was where I got my guidance. Your SOP framework gave me the structure and language I’d been missing. For the first time, I could tell my story in a way that actually reflected who I am and what I care about. I’d always sensed something was off—I just didn’t know how to fix it.
You have no idea how happy that makes me, Safia! I only wish our readers could see the true extent of the effort you put into your writing. What do you think was most difficult about that part of the application—actually writing your essays?
The hardest part for me was writing the Statement of Purpose. It’s the core of the application, and if it doesn’t land, the rest of your materials can’t carry the weight. What helped most was realizing that not all essays serve the same function. A Statement of Purpose is not the same as a personal essay or an adversity statement—and that distinction really matters.
The SOP is about clarity. It should explain your academic and professional goals, why you’re applying to this specific program, and how you’re prepared to succeed in it. It’s not the place to dive deep into your life story or personal hardships. That belongs in an adversity essay or a personal statement, where you have space to explore identity, context, and growth. Once I understood that, everything felt more focused.
My approach was a little backwards, thanks to something I learned from WriteIvy. But it worked. I started with the middle section, the study plan, because it helped me figure out what I wanted to gain from the program. That grounded everything else. From there, I pulled in experiences that supported my fit, then circled back to the intro to frame it all around a personal moment that made sense.
[Editor’s Note: This is Level 99 cosmic genius advice from Safia! Start with the middle section, the study plan, and use it to figure out exactly what you want to gain from your grad schools. Genius. Genius.]
One other piece of advice: use the entire application strategically. If there was a story I really wanted to include, but it didn’t fit in the SOP, I’d find another place for it—whether that was the “additional information” section or a short question about background or identity. Every part of the application is an opportunity to add another dimension to who you are. I used those short-answer spaces to drop in bits of my goals, what shaped me, or why I think the way I do.
For example, if there was a box to check for “first-generation college student” and a follow-up prompt, I didn’t just restate the fact—I used it to introduce a part of my story that connected to my work in housing or my larger vision. That mindset helped me avoid overpacking the SOP and instead build a more complete, well-rounded application across all sections.
Do you have any advice for future applicants that should probably seem obvious…but isn’t?
SOP guidelines were incredibly helpful, especially the section on the Study Plan. One of the biggest mistakes I was making—something Jordan specifically helped me avoid—was jumping straight into why I was a good fit, without first explaining why I wanted the program in the first place. It sounds simple, but that order really matters. Starting with the “why this program” section first forces you to do the research and articulate how the program aligns with your goals, which makes your whole essay feel more focused and intentional.
[Editor’s Note: Re-read Safia’s last sentence there. It’s the entire underlying logic of The SOP Formula, and we couldn’t have said it any better ourselves.]
Were any WriteIvy articles or resources particularly helpful for you?
The most helpful WriteIvy resource for me was the SOP breakdown. It gave me a clear understanding of what each section was supposed to accomplish and how to focus my writing. Before that, I was trying to say everything all at once, and my drafts felt messy and overloaded.
What really clicked for me was the Study Plan section. It pushed me to think clearly about what I wanted from the program and how specific courses, labs, or resources connected to my goals. Once I had that, the rest of the essay flowed more naturally. I wasn’t just listing accomplishments, I was connecting them to a larger direction.
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5 Things Safia Thinks Every Student Should Know About Grad Admissions
1. Explore Fellowships Beyond Just the Degree
I’m a PD Soros Fellow, and I can’t recommend it enough for New Americans. It supports your grad education financially and connects you with a powerful network. Other great options include the Schwarzman Scholars Program (global leadership), Knight-Hennessy (at Stanford), and for policy folks—programs like the Rangel, Pickering, Payne, and Public Policy & International Affairs (PPIA) fellowships. If you’re applying and don’t know where to start, feel free to reach out to me directly. I’m happy to share what I’ve learned.
[Editor’s Note: UCLA’s GRAPES database is a fantastic place to find fellowships, with a list of over 600 funding programs!]
2. Use Every Part of the Application Strategically
Don’t put all the pressure on your SOP to carry everything. The additional info section, identity questions, or first-gen checkboxes are all opportunities to add depth. Instead of repeating yourself, use those spaces to tell different parts of your story. Doing this made my application feel more well-rounded—and made it easier to keep the SOP focused and clean.
3. “Why This Program?” Needs to Be Specific
This is not the place to list what’s already on the website. Think about your goals, then work backward: What resources, professors, courses, or labs from the program directly connect to what you want to do? Show that you’ve done your homework—and more importantly, show why it matters to you.
4. Not All Advice Is Good Advice
It sounds obvious, but it isn’t. Just because someone is brilliant or has a PhD doesn’t mean they understand the grad application process—or how to help you communicate your story. Trust your instincts. The best guidance I got came from people who had gone through the process recently and had clarity on what actually works.
5. Frameworks Over Fluff
“Be yourself” is not a strategy. What helped me most was having a clear framework (shoutout to WriteIvy) that helped me understand the purpose of each essay and how to structure it. Once I had that, it wasn’t about writing the most emotional or impressive story—it was about writing a clear one.
Are there any particular types of students whom you’d like to inspire? What advice would you give them?
I think this process is hard no matter who you are—whether you’re first-gen, applying internationally, or even someone with access to strong resources. There’s anxiety, doubt, and a lot of second-guessing involved. And to be honest, sometimes it does come down to luck—the mood of the reviewer, timing, or how your story lands in that specific moment. So if one cycle doesn’t work out, don’t let that be the end of your journey. Instead, treat it as data: What resonated? What fell flat? What can you approach differently next time?
That mindset helped me. I knew I wanted to become a developer in East Africa and was already working on projects in the U.S., but I struggled at first to communicate why grad school made sense for me. When I finally got clear on my goals—creating models for development that don’t rely on national aid, especially in capital-constrained environments—it became easier to articulate why Stanford, with its flexible, interdisciplinary approach, was the right fit. Once I had that clarity, the rest of the application came together.
My advice? Don’t be afraid to ask for help—even publicly. If you’re applying with limited resources, post your essays on Reddit, DM people who’ve been through the process, or just ask for feedback. You’d be surprised how many people will support you, even if they’ve never met you.
Thank you so much for these marvelous insights, Safia. This interview has been incredible, you’ve been so generous and thoughtful, and I can’t express how much we appreciate the time you’ve taken here!
Key Takeaways
Safia is one of those people who make us feel—well, incredibly humble. She’s already accomplished so much in her life, and helped so many people, and her thoughts and writing show such profound wisdom that it’s clear she’s operating on a higher plane than the rest of us mere mortals.
But that’s exactly why we’re so grateful, and why her advice is so helpful! In fact, Safia’s Five Tips are a master class in concise and powerful admissions strategy:
1. Explore Fellowships Beyond Just the Degree: Most applicants have heard of Stanford’s famous Knight-Hennessy program or the NSF GRFP, but there are so many resources out there to help you with funding and mentorship as you launch your career. Use UCLA’s GRAPES database to find your own scholarships, grants, fellowships, and postdoctoral awards.
2. Explore Fellowships Beyond Just the Degree: Use Every Part of the Application Strategically: As Safia said, the SOP is “the core of the application, and if it doesn’t land, the rest of your materials can’t carry the weight.” But it can’t carry everything. Use the additional info section, personal questions, and every other opportunity to flesh our your story and sell yourself, so the SOP itself can remain clean and focused.
3. “Why This Program?” Needs to Be Specific: “Think about your goals, then work backward: What resources, professors, courses, or labs from the program directly connect to what you want to do? Show that you’ve done your homework—and more importantly, show why it matters to you.”
4. Not All Advice Is Good Advice: “Trust your instincts. The best guidance I got came from people who had gone through the process recently and had clarity on what actually works.”
5. Frameworks Over Fluff: Having a clear framework, and understanding the purpose of each essay, helps you achieve the focused clarity that shines mostly brightly in the application pile.
Truly, Safia is a legend. Follow her advice, prepare to work hard, and we’re certain you too will be on the right path toward building a deeply meaningful career, in academia and beyond.
Want to read more interviews with grad students who’ve overcome the odds to achieve awesome things? Click here!
