Achievable Awards 2026: An interview with Hamada Zahawi
Hamada is an entrepreneur and multilingual attorney with over fifteen years of experience at the intersection of edtech, commercial law, and entrepreneurship. Hamada has delivered numerous presentations and moderated panels throughout the world on higher education and the future of learning among other topics.
In 2008, Hamada founded Write Track Admissions, an international admissions consulting firm that has guided thousands of college and graduate applicants across thirty countries in discovering their stories and earning admission to top universities in the U.S., Europe, and Canada. Through his work, he has developed proprietary technology tools, workshops, and curricula focused on enhancing students’ communication, strategy, and self-awareness.
Hamada completed his MPA at the Harvard Kennedy School (with a full merit scholarship) and earned his JD at Berkeley Law, where he was a board member of the California Law Review. Hamada also holds a M.Phil in International Relations from the University of Cambridge (Pembroke College), and a Bachelor’s degree, Summa Cum Laude, from UCLA.
Hamada is a passionate traveler and storyteller. Over the past twenty-five years, he has visited more than 170 countries and documents his journey through his YouTube project, Final50.world.
Each year, the Achievable Awards recognize educators who are making a meaningful impact in their fields, from independent tutoring to admissions counseling and classroom teaching. We’re proud to feature Hamdada Zahawi, founder of Write Track Admissions and recipient of our Best Counselor (Organization) award for 2026.
Hamada leads an expert team of counselors to deliver personalized services to students, providing them with the tools they need to develop authentic stories and differentiate themselves while staying true to their individual journeys. Specializing in competitive admissions, Write Track Admissions guides students in crafting standout essays and materials that capture admissions committees' attention, helping them become better communicators in the process.
What does excellence in education mean to you?
Excellence in education means being as well-rounded as possible by focusing on EQ, IQ, and AQ (adaptability quotient). We tell our clients to cultivate this through being social on campus (EQ), taking leadership roles (EQ), staying curious, which translates to academic dedication (IQ), embracing unfamiliar surroundings through study abroad (AQ), and prioritizing mental and physical health. At Write Track Admissions, we call this the SLASH framework. By focusing on these factors of excellence, students maximize their potential and graduate with an education that truly prepares them for the future.
What motivated you to enter academic counseling?
I entered academic counseling after proving that standardized testing is not the only predictor of success. Despite poor LSAT scores, I crafted a personal narrative that helped me gain admission to UC Berkeley Law, where I had a less than 6 percent chance of admission. This experience motivated me to start Write Track Admissions in 2008. I later applied the same methods to get a full scholarship to Harvard for graduate school. Over nearly the past two decades, we have helped thousands of students achieve their moonshots. If you aim for the stars, you will at least land on the moon, and we provide the hope and materials to get there.
What areas do you specialize in?
Our expertise lies in story crafting. It takes deep empathy to understand a student's past to better articulate their future. In an era when universities are flooded with AI-generated content, a truly authentic, heartfelt narrative stands out more than ever before. We also specialize in future readiness, helping students develop the competitive mindsets needed to remain irreplaceable in an AI-impacted workforce. Our goal is to bring the best out of each individual and empower the applicant to translate that on paper in a cohesive way that makes them unforgettable to the admissions committee.
How do you approach your work with your students?
We apply the G-SET framework. G: Guiding, helping students understand their current position and best-fit degree programs. S: Story Crafting, where we help them develop the narrative they will relay to universities. E: Editing, ensuring their voice is reflected authentically while empowering them to refine their writing. T: Time Keeping, ensuring they apply early to maximize their chances. This framework has worked incredibly well to help students of all backgrounds navigate the admissions process with less stress, more confidence, and greater success.
What techniques or strategies have you found work best in admissions counseling? What has worked to help keep students engaged and motivated?
We ensure students are as energized by their application as we are! We do this through mentorship built on compassion and empathy. This human connection cannot be achieved through AI. I truly believe the application process is a cathartic experience that helps students manifest their academic and life goals. If done correctly, they do not just get admitted; they become better writers and communicators. By winning their hearts and minds through numerous coaching sessions over the phone and video, we keep them engaged throughout the journey.
How do you respond when a student says, I am just not a good writer, and how do you help them gain confidence in their skills?
Confidence comes when a student finds a narrative that truly energizes them. To help the writing flow, we provide the A-B-C-D-E-F framework for the personal statement. A: Attention grabber, B: Background, C: Career, D: Direction, E: Educational institution, and F: Finale (you can read a lot more about this proprietary framework in our College Admissions Mastery Guide). This methodical format reduces the pressure of creativity and allows their unique story to surface naturally, turning concerned writers into authentic storytellers.
How important is developing a strong personal narrative in college and graduate school admissions?
Developing a strong personal narrative is mission-critical. Our company motto at Write Track Admissions is: “Discover Your Story, Get Admitted.” This is because without a cohesive narrative, everything else falls apart. A strong story activates the imagination of the admissions committee. In the age of AI, an authentic narrative is exactly how applicants stand out from the thousands of others. It provides a sense of future direction while proving to universities that the applicant has the depth and self-awareness they are looking for.
What makes your organization different from other counseling organizations?
Write Track Admissions is defined by a diverse group of experts who hail from all backgrounds, have traveled the world, and speak multiple languages. Moreover, our consultants have not had the easiest path to top programs; they have overcome hardships and life challenges themselves. This empathy and intuition allow us to help students stand out through authentic and informed story crafting. Finally, our focus on future readiness sets us apart, giving students the confidence to remain relevant and irreplaceable in an ever-evolving academic and career landscape.
Academic admissions are ever-changing. What is one piece of advice you would give students navigating the process today?
My best advice is to start early and write from the heart. Do not depend on AI alone. While it can help with idea generation, it lacks the compassion and empathy that move an admissions director. You must dig deep to find a narrative that speaks truth to who you are. When you hit that perfect topic, you will have that ‘aha’ moment and feel those goosebumps, tears, and emotional swell. So let your writing be a true reflection of what you hope to add to the world, and you will find your place in your dream program.
You can learn more about Hamada and Write Track’s work at Write Track Admissions.
