Of the more than 500 applicants from all over the country, only a handful made the cut.

"It was very hard to choose the 10," Smalls said. "If we have two women who excel in science, we have to choose one, since we want to keep it diverse."

"We were looking for women who have outstanding grades, who were making lots of contributions on and off campus, who have inspiring stories, who were real leaders," he said.

A brief profile in the magazine's October issue lauded Hochman's "kick-butt credentials" as an international relations student.

"At the ripe old age of 21, Dafna has excelled as a diplomat," the article said.

The article praised her for serving on the staff of the Seeds of Peace Camp for International Conflict Resolution, which brings students from Middle Eastern countries to Maine for a program aimed at promoting peace.

Hochman, who is a Crimson editor, said her summer at the camp inspired her to pursue a career in foreign relations.