Déja T.

Pebblebrook High School (Cobb County Center for Excellence in the Performing Arts)
Mableton, GA

Stats:
GPA: 3.83
Rank: 28/427
ACT: 27

Activities:

Founder: The STEAM TeAm
National Honor Society
National Beta Club
Varsity Track and Field
Voices of Praise Choir
Portraits of Praise Liturgical Dance Ensemble
Angelic Dance Ministry
Young Daughters of the King Step Ministry
Mission to Trinidad & Tobago; Dominican Republic
Turner Chapel Church Education Ministry Ambassador

Denied:
Duke

College Choice:
Xavier University of Louisiana

Major: Biology

Aspirations: To become a Physiatrist (a doctor who
specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation) and treat high performance athletes and performers

Scholarships: Xavier University Merit Scholarship – $60,000; The AME Church Sixth Episcopal District Lay Organization Millennium Scholarship ($2000); The Rev. Cassandra Young Marcus Award of Academic Excellence and Ministry Service ($1500); The Turner Chapel Village Award for Ministry Service ($1200); The PEARL Foundation Scholarship ($800); Worship Arts Ministry Service Award ($700); Bernard C. McNair Jr. Award (Laptop)

I wanted a fairly small environment with an excellent pre-med program AND a track record for graduates being accepted into medical school. I also didn’t want to be too far from home. Basically, I was completely sold on Xavier University of Louisiana since visiting during 2014 College Tour. I really didn’t want to apply to other schools, but my parents made me. I wasn’t motivated to complete the process with some of the schools, especially after I was accepted to Xavier.

My mom was my biggest motivation. She stayed on me and tried to keep me organized with tables and checklists, etc. She also edited and re-edited my essays. I also received extensive support from Mr. and Mrs. Wynn and the Turner Chapel Education Ministry’s 2015 College Planning Cohort, my Small Group Coach, as well as other Small Group Coaches. My school counselor was also helpful and responsive whenever I needed her assistance. I was also grateful to my teachers and ministry leaders who didn’t hesitate to write glowing recommendation letters for me. I was humbled by their letters and at how happy they were to write them.

I believe that applying for scholarships was the most stressful part of the college application process. There were so many different things going on at once, it was just hard to stay organized. Figuring out which recommendation letter went to which application, which essay more thoroughly answered the given prompt, and when each application was due, was a lot to handle in the most important months of my last semester of high school. Having a strong support system and those you can go to who really KNOW you for help and for recommendation letters is very important.

I learned that I am actually very good at things in which I have been doubting myself over the past couple of years. I learned the importance of planning everything and remaining organized, as well as the value of making strong and lasting relationships with those around you, be it teachers, administrators, parents, ministry leaders, pastors, or friends. Lastly, I learned that time really does pass by quickly and that I need to make the best of every moment.

I didn’t qualify for any federal grants, so I knew I would have to apply for lots of scholarships. I was blessed to receive several private scholarships through my church and through a local chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. In addition, after receiving a partial merit-based scholarship to Xavier, I knew I needed to take the ACT again and earn a higher score so that I could qualify for additional funds. I received the score I needed (and made almost a perfect score in reading, which surprised me)! I am waiting to see if my award amount will be increased. I am also still applying for national and local scholarships and waiting for responses.

I wish I had done everything earlier so I wasn’t cramming at the last minute. I wish I would have managed my time better.

My advice would be to start everything early: testing, college applications, scholarship applications, community service, extracurricular activities, and leadership opportunities. It is best to have most of these qualities throughout your high school years, so colleges don’t look at your applications and think that you only got involved in things in your last year of high school just to “play up” your resumé. Also, if you have a rigorous academic schedule and are involved in extracurricular activities and community service, make sure you remain balanced and keep your priorities straight, because it is easy to get distracted. Lastly and most importantly, set solid goals and remain prayed up. Whenever you feel like giving up or you feel like you aren’t going to be able to make it through whatever is happening in your life right now, just pray and remember your goals and how you want to see yourself in 4+ years. It is truly motivating.

Arielle C.

Marietta High School
Marietta, GA

Stats:
GPA: 3.85
Rank: 104/492
SAT: 1680

Activities:

Arielle’s Babysitting and Hair Styling/Braiding
Paisley Academy of Performing Arts
Turner Chapel AME Church Education Ministry, Portraits of Praise Dance Ensemble, and Video Ministry
Emory Summer Volunteer Program
Wheeler High School Orchestra (Viola)
National Spanish Honors Society
National Science Honors Society

Xavier University of Louisiana

Major: Biology

Aspirations: To attend Medical School

Hampton University
Howard University
Xavier University of Louisiana

Scholarships and Grants:

Gates Millennium Scholar Finalist
Xavier University Academic Award
Church and Local Scholarships

When it came time to chose a college, it was an extremely difficult decision. However, I knew for sure that I wanted to attend an HBCU. I had the opportunity to go on two college tours during high school during my sophomore and junior year. After touring multiple colleges and universities, I decided that I would thrive best at an HBCU. Ultimately, I chose to attend Xavier, which is the only Catholic HBCU in the country and ranks number one for having the highest number of black Medical School graduates. It is also located in one of the most unique, culturally rich, and eccentric cities in the US: New Orleans. After one year at Xavier, I know I made the right decision because I know I am receiving a quality education that will best shape me for Medical School. During high school I always thought that the face of success was always either Asian or Caucasian. Attending Xavier has completely altered my thinking. It is amazing to be able to meet people and attend a university where other black students share my passion for learning and success. I love attending a university where excellence is the expectation. I chose to attend an HBCU to not only meet my academic needs but to be a part of a community, a family, that will always support me and have my best interest at heart. The other factor that helped me choose Xavier was the size. It is a small school that is comprised of at least 3,000 undergraduate students. This is important because I am able to get individualized attention from my professors—which is pertinent to my academic success and future job opportunities and there is a very strong sense of community at the University.

I do not believe that my college admission process would have been as smooth as it was if it had not been for Mr. and Mrs. Wynn and the College Planning Cohort offered at my church (Turner Chapel AME, Marietta, GA). They helped me develop my résumé, college admission essays, navigate the financial aid process, and revise my scholarship essays. And of course, my mother supported me and definitely prayed for me during this stressful time. She encouraged me, especially when it came down to my anxiety about which college to choose.

Ohhhh, the stress that is associated with the college application process. Senior year is stressful enough as it is with maintaining academics, a social life, family relationships, extracurricular activities, sports, etc., but in addition to the college application process, it can bring some people close to tears—I had a few breakdowns myself. The most stressful part was finding time to work on my essays.

I learned that doing things ahead of time will save you a WORLD of heartache, pain, and a mouthful from your mother (which could also cause a little bit of pain). In all seriousness, it is best to submit all applications, whether it is to a college or scholarship committee AT LEAST a month in advance, if not earlier. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE. This will cause unnecessary stress for you and your parents. Have multiple copies of your résumé at your disposal, request your official transcripts weeks in advance, ask for your letters of recommendation at least 4 to 6 weeks PRIOR to the date that you plan to submit your applications, look at all of the documents that the school and/or scholarship committee is requesting, and check your email regularly. Most importantly, have a calendar and mark all of your due dates!

The money factor is definitely important. I was a Finalist for the Gates Millennium Scholarship, due to circumstances beyond my control, I wasn’t eligible for the Pell Grant. However, I received an academic scholarship from Xavier and several outside scholarships.

If I could go back I would have better prepared for my standardized tests, especially the ACT. If I had, I would have been offered more scholarship money and would have been able to exempt a few college courses.

My advice to students is to never give up. As cliché as it sounds it is important to remember to just push through, especially senior year. If you are privileged enough to be in a college planning support program like the College Planning Cohort at my church, take it seriously. Get the work done and treat it like one of your academic classes. Listen to counselors—and your parents. I promise; they know what they’re talking about. Finally, to the seniors: BREATHE, it will be over soon. Keep pushing. All of your tears and sacrifices will be worth it at the end. I promise.

My advice to the parents is stay on your students. They will seem to have everything under control, like a duck on water; everything looks fine on the surface but really they’re struggling to stay afloat. And if his or she is anything like me, he or she will not ask for help until the last minute. So help them stay on top of their college applications, scholarship applications, and school work. Ask them about their progress. Even though they probably have not asked for your help when it comes to academics in a long time, this will change Senior year.

My advice to all is to pray. Relationships will be tested during this stressful time but just know that it will get better and it will be totally worth it in the end.

You do not have to know exactly what you want to do in life. College is a place where you can explore options and learn so much more about yourself. Take high school seriously and recognize the importance of each and every class. Take advantage of extra credit opportunities, set goals, get involved, perform meaningful community service, and assume leadership in your school and community. Perhaps most importantly, get help! Counselors are responsible for too many students to have the time to guide you through the process—a hugely complicated process! In the end, you will be excited about the acceptance letters, but it is important to carefully read and understand your award letters. Award letters are often written in ways that may suggest one thing, but really mean something entirely different. You need a degree in accounting to uncover the hidden cost of attendance versus what is actually being offered.