“Because of the opportunity to attend UChicago—an opportunity that would have never been possible without your help—my entire future has transformed for the better.”
How did you learn about UChicago? When did you first know that UChicago was the right school for you?
When I first began searching the internet for colleges to apply to during high school, UChicago was obviously one of the first results for academically prestigious universities. Once I began to research the College more deeply, I realized there was a strong distinction between UChicago and all other universities. UChicago has an atmosphere of learning that spurns competition and embraces collaboration. Students here demand to be intellectually challenged. We yearn for the opportunity to be proven wrong so that we may come closer to understanding the truth. This passion for collaborative academic growth is evident in all that happens at UChicago, and it was the deciding factor for my choice to apply to this school. Please describe the moment you received your admission to the College.
What was your reaction?
When I received my admission to the College, I was instantly in tears, as were my parents. I could not believe my eyes, could not believe I had been chosen for one of the most prestigious universities in the country. It was probably the proudest moment of my life. Most importantly, I knew I had made my parents proud. That is a kind of euphoria that cannot be put into words.
What are you most looking forward to at UChicago? Are there classes, subjects, or activities you’re excited to explore?
I am most looking forward to my many amazing classes to come, eyeopening research opportunities, and foreign exchange experiences. I think the Core will be a great way to achieve a diversity within my college education, to explore intellectual disciplines I probably otherwise would not have experimented with. Being an Odyssey Scholar, I have the unique opportunity to get a research position or internship the summer after my first year. I am already exploring these summer options, and I am thrilled by the possibilities I am hoping to study in China at some point over the next four years to increase my Chinese language abilities and explore the field of Chinese archaeology and history.
If you could speak directly to the person whose gift supported your scholarship, what would you say?
Words are not an adequate form of expression for my gratitude. Thank you for your incredible generosity. I want you to understand the significance of this gift. You have given me the chance to change my entire life's course. Because of the opportunity to attend UChicago—an opportunity that would have never been possible without your help—my entire future has transformed for the better. This isn't just about college. What I learn in college now will prepare me for a career, and my career will help determine where I go, what I do, and who I become. And so, with your kindness, you are helping me to become the best version of me that I can envision: a successful, happy me who is excited for all that is to come. Thank you.
