Roberto Hasbun
Founder and CEO of Empowered Education
A Princeton graduate in History with an advanced degree in Management from Cornell University, Roberto leads Empowered Education. Roberto brings his expertise and experience as a student intern at the Princeton University Office of Undergraduate Admissions. His dream is to support students in the college application process, helping them secure scholarships and gain admission to their dream school.
Roberto’s Journey
In high school, Roberto was passionate about service and mathematics. He co-founded the STEM club, represented his country as the Honduran delegate at The Operation Smile Latin American Student Council. He graduated as Valedictorian with a 98.2% average, and a 98th percentile on the ACT. He got accepted to Princeton and Columbia with $400,000+ in scholarships and financial aid.
At Princeton, he pursued a Bachelor of Arts in History. He fell in love with writing, crafting arguments, and research. His senior thesis was awarded a $6,000 prize fellowship and he was one of two students selected to attend the Tiger Entrepreneurs Conference in San Francisco. He also interned at the admissions office and traveled with his courses to India and Russia.
Before graduating from Princeton, Roberto was accepted to various Master’s programs, including Georgetown, Cornell, and The London School of Economics. He attended Cornell with a merit scholarship, where he was also Research Assistant in sustainable business. He graduated with a 3.8 GPA.
Roberto then founded Empowered Education in 2022, with the goal of supporting students across the world in the college application process. In his free time, Roberto enjoys running outside, spending time with his Italian Greyhound, and traveling.
Roberto’s Educational Background
Class of 2017
International Baccalaureate
Class Valedictorian, 98.2% average
92nd percentile SAT
98th percentile ACT
Class of 2021
Bachelor of Arts in History
Certificates in Entrepreneurship and Latin American Studies
Shelby Fellowship Award recipient for Senior Thesis
Class of 2022
Master’s in Management
91st percentile GMAT
Merit Scholarship recipient
Senior thesis
As part of his Princeton education, Roberto wrote a 28,000 word senior thesis titled “Americanos Todos: Redefining Latino and Latina Identity in the Second World War. He was awarded the Lawrence Stone and Shelby Cullom Davis Prize Fellowship.
Through this year long research project, Roberto explored the role of Latinos and Latinas in supporting the U.S. army during World War II. He argues the war presented itself as a watershed moment for the construction and refinement of U.S. Latino identity. The war influenced the emergence of new forms of identity by confounding what it meant to be “Latino” and “American” and catalyzed movements for inclusion that formed a Latino civil rights consciousness.
What our students have to say about Roberto:
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Mariana Simon, Stanford University
“I’ve had a great experience working with Roberto as my college coach. He has guided me through the application process and answered all my questions. He got to personally know me and my activities, and when I needed help with college essays, he aided me with topics, main points, and editing. Even when we did not meet, he still helped me and was quick to respond. Overall, I would recommend Empowered to any other senior applying to college.”
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Cecilia Fiallos, Notre Dame
“My goal was clear, and working with Empowered was truly the key step in achieving it. From expert advice on refining essays to valuable insights into my student profile, Roberto provided me with every possible resource. What seemed like a complex process was made much more manageable with the help of Empowered.”
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Rodrigo Martinez, Boston College
“Empowered really helped me get through the college application process in a smooth and stress-free way. I received especially great guidance when it came to drafting ideas for my essays and expanding my college list. I recommend Empowered to anyone who wants to get into their dream school.”
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Jahir Matamoros, Rice University
“Roberto has been an incredible advisor who has helped me tremendously with my application process. Thanks to his experience in the college application process, I could feel the application process less overwhelming. I see him as an inspiration and an example to follow. Roberto will give you an amazing guidance that will put you in the best position to succeed and reach your dreams.”
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Emma Rivera, Gettysburg College
“Working with Roberto was the best decision I’ve ever made. Not only did he help me choosing schools and writing my personal statement but he encouraged me all throughout the process. Our meetings were always helpful and he was always available outside of meeting hours. Roberto has amazing editing skills and he is able to work around your ideas. Overall, I know that without his assistance my application experience wouldn’t have been the same. I am eternally grateful with Roberto and his coaching. If you want to achieve your college dreams choose Empowered.”
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Alexei Rumman, Purdue University
“Roberto was the best college coach I could ask for. He really took interest in getting to know my profile which made the path a lot clearer when choosing universities or writing supplements. Roberto was great at taking my raw ideas and helping me turn them into great supplements. I’d always get a swift response whenever I had any doubt whether it was within the common app or regarding the university’s portal. I would encourage others to get involved with Empowered because it makes the application process seem much simpler.”