Student Profile

Miguel O. recipient of the Raj Vansh Kishore Odyssey Scholarship

Miguel O. ’17

Hometown: Riverside, CA

What did you do this past summer?
I interned at the College Programming Office as a student designer.

Please comment on the pursuit of your major and minor, as well as any other academic interests.
I am currently an economics and psychology double major.

Please tell us about a significant or memorable experience you have had during your time at UChicago.
I got to sing Handel’s Messiah at Rockefeller with the Motet Choir. Singing such a classic piece with my new friends last year was an amazing experience, made especially memorable by the amazing location.

What activities do you participate in outside of the classroom? Are there any that are new from last year?
I was in Motet Choir last year, and have continued to intern at the College Programming Office, a job I started last summer. I also recently became a research assistant in the O’Brien Lab at Booth School and became the president of my residential house. I also have participated in the Vocal Studies program.

As a scholarship recipient, to what extent are you grateful for the support you received? What are your thoughts on how you might one day give back to the University of Chicago?
I can honestly say that, before you gifted me with this incredible financial support, I would have only had the opportunity to be a part of such a life changing institution in my dreams. I feel like UChicago pushes me to become a better student and a more complete person everyday, as it provokes me to challenge myself and grow. At the end of the day, however, I know that the support was not a gift, but rather a contract to do my best and help those that will one day be in my position, continuing the tradition set by those who believed in students like me.