“I would love nothing more than to be able to support someone’s education in the way you have supported mine.”
How did you learn about UChicago? When did you first know that UChicago was the right college for you?
Growing up, I had a special interest in the brain. I said I wanted to major in neuroscience back in my middle school days, up until very recently. This definitely influenced my college application process as I needed to find a school with my intended major, while hopefully staying close to Chicago. Luckily, the new neuroscience major at UChicago sparked my interest in the school. When I visited campus, I immediately felt at home. I could not see myself walking through any other campus during my time as an undergrad. I knew UChicago was where I belonged.
What is the most important thing you’ve learned since arriving on campus?
Since starting classes, my learning process has completely changed from how I absorbed information in high school. While I am still striving to perform to the absolute best of my abilities, I have learned that my goal at this institution should not be to get an A in every class I take. To gain the most out of my college education, I needed to relearn how to study. I taught myself how to learn, understand, and retain information, rather than simply memorizing various facts to get through a class. After one quarter at UChicago, I have gotten more out of my educational experience than I did through the entirety of my high school career.
What has your UChicago experience been like outside of the classroom?
Before coming here, I never realized how quickly I could connect with so many people in such a short amount of time. I can honestly say that I have never connected with anyone on the level that I have with the people I have met here. This has done nothing but enhance an already amazing experience at UChicago. Although being from around the area, I never had much opportunity to explore the city before college. UChicago has granted me so many opportunities to learn more about the great city I hail from, alongside the best company I could imagine.
If you could speak directly to the person whose gift supported your scholarship, what would you say?
Knowing there is someone out there anonymously donating funds in order to support my education, despite possibly never meeting me, is one of my biggest motivations to pursue a field that I love. I wouldn’t be at UChicago if not for donors like you. You have allowed me to come to a fantastic institution where I am able to zero in on what I’m interested in, and what I want to do as a career. This scholarship means that I am able to start my life. Being an Odyssey Scholar has inspired me to strive to become a donor in the future. I would love nothing more than to be able to support someone’s education in the way you have supported mine. I owe so much to this scholarship, and to you. No “thank-you” will ever be enough to express my gratitude for everything you have allowed me to do, but truly, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.
