PROFILES

Let’s start from the beginning. What made you come to Chicago?

I did debate in high school, and we traveled nationally. We came to a really big Chicago tournament downtown, and my debate coach was talking to another student, saying, "Oh, you should really think about going to the University of Chicago; it's really good for law." And I thought, “Wait a minute—I want to be a lawyer. Why isn't she telling me this?" So I looked up the U of C’s Web site, and I just fell in love with it. I got this feeling that the people who went to this school cared so much more, not about grades, but what they were actually learning. That's how I always viewed education. It's something that makes me grow, makes me more intelligent.

Do you feel like you were prepared for the intensity of your first year coming in?

In high school I took a lot of AP classes, so I think I was prepared in some ways. I just don't think I was called on to use everything I could give in high school. So I was ready for the challenge. Although, I remember taking my social-science class for the Core. On the first paper—actually, on every paper I wrote—the response was, "You can't write. This isn't even English. This is some other language." So that was a learning experience. But since then, long writing assignments are my favorite thing to do, and I always do well on them because I learned from the criticism.

Have you had time for extracurricular commitments?

I work for a state senator. My internship started last September. I think it was actually destiny that I got the job, because I was really unhappy in the job that I had. But because of my past community service, my adviser suggested placing me in the senator’s office. He took me under his wing over the summer and has mentored me in a bunch of different areas. So it really is just great.

I’m also vice president of members for my sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta. That takes a lot of my time, especially at the beginning of the school year. And last year I took part in the tutoring program, but I had a little bit of a time issue. I might do that again this year.

Do you find this a good place for community service? It seems like there are a lot of opportunities.

I do. I think a lot of kids come here knowing that they have to give back. There’s the University of Chicago Community Service Center and then the service organizations that really do their job to sort of blend the South Side and the University together.

What was your reaction when you heard about Odyssey?

My friends and I were really excited. We were like, "We're going to get a scholarship! This is good!" I told my parents, and they were really happy.

I was talking to a friend of mine who went to the School of the Art Institute, and he told me he has something like $35,000 in loans to pay off. Another friend goes to school in New York, and he's taking out $100,000 in loans. They told me, "You're going to have the same thing." And I said, "No, I'm actually not. My loan amounts are going to stay really low."

But you did have to take out normal loans for your first year?

My first and second years. I think it’s up to something like $6,000 in loans, which is relatively low, considering.

Can you talk a little bit about what it means to you to not have to incur more loans?

I'm happy about it. I have a lot of plans, and I'll probably take loans in law school. I feel really bad for my friends who are going to come out with a lot of debt. Even my dad was paying loans on his own education until I was probably 16. And he went to school how many years ago? I know I don't have that burden on me—nor do my parents.

If Odyssey wasn’t there and you accumulated a lot of debt paying for college, do you think that would affect the choices you would make after graduation?

One thing that my dad has always stressed with me is the value of education. So if we couldn't have afforded to come to this school, he would've taken out those loans, and he would've done everything that he could've to make sure I came to Chicago, that I went to law school, that I was able to do whatever I needed to do. But I would still feel sad that coming out, I would have all those loans to worry about.

You were talking about your friends who are going to have a big chunk of debt coming out. Do you think it's going to affect their choices when they graduate?

Actually, a friend went into college wanting to be a teacher and is taking out sizable loans every single year. He was like, "I don't think that I'm going to be able to do what I'd like.” Now he's thinking about transitioning into becoming a principal. He’ll have to go to grad school to get a higher-paying job, even though he'll accumulate more debt. So I really do think it affects people’s decisions.

Do you think the idea of incurring a large amount of debt affects what schools some students choose to attend?

I had a lot of friends in high school whose families fell in between—their families made too much money to qualify for financial aid but not enough to send them to a really good school. So all of them went to state colleges, places they could afford. There's nothing wrong with that, but it's not giving them the kind of opportunities that I think a place like Chicago and other peer institutions provide.

If someone chooses not to come here because of the cost, even though they qualify to get in, then everybody is missing out on experiences. I get to hear those kids' stories, and vice versa. It’s an evolving bridge between groups. I think that's really important in a school like this.

People have a lot of philanthropic programs that they can give to, even within the University. Why should someone choose to give their money to the Odyssey Challenge?

I think the answer is simple. This institution was built on the idea that those who want an education and who are willing to work hard enough can achieve it. Why cut certain people out just because the financial cost is too great? If you agree that education is what fuels everything, and I think it does, that's why you should give. Because you're really helping people make a difference in their lives, and, eventually, they'll contribute to changing the world.