Grace Attended Columbia Thanks To The Gates Scholarship
Grace Fox almost didn't apply for the Scholarship!
Grace Fox, a Rhodes Finalist, is double majoring in Psychology, and Ethnicity & Race Studies for Native American and Indigenous Studies at Columbia University.
The Problem
Grace had gotten into Columbia. It was her dream school.
Columbia had sent her a “likely letter”.
She was inducted as a prestigious Kluge Scholar, an award for incoming freshmen that lasts through the senior year.
But, there was a problem…
Columbia expected her to pay more than she and her family could afford!
One Year Before…
In her junior year, Grace worked with Emily from Matriculate to guide her through the college process.
Emily created a list of scholarships that she wanted Grace to apply to.
Grace looked at the long list and did not think she had the time to apply, given all the things she was involved in high school including a full time job.
Emily then created a short list and insisted she apply to them. The top of the list was the Bill and Melinda Gates Scholarship.
Fortunately, Grace applied.
It was a year long process including essays, questionnaire and multiple in-person interviews.
Good News
One morning, after she learned that she had gotten into Columbia, she was at her coffee shop job.
While negotiating the espresso machines, Grace was secretly checking her phones.
To her surprise, she saw an email notifying her that she was the recipient of the Gates Scholarship.
In the excitement and uncontrollable joy, she burnt herself with steam from the expresso machine!
The Scholarship
About 30,000 students went through the Gates Scholarship process and Grace was one of the 300 that made it.
It is a full scholarship that covers tuition, room board travel, transportation, winter clothes, for students moving from hot climates to cold climates, health insurance, etc.
Columbia was her dream school, and Gates Foundation made it possible for her to attend.
On With the Podcast
Grace joins us on our podcast to share her Undergraduate Experience at Columbia, Matriculate’s Role, Transition to College, Indigenous Causes, Being a Rhodes Finalist, and Advice for High Schoolers.
Hi-Fives from the Podcast are:
Why Columbia University?
Role of Matriculate
Transition to College
Indigenous Justice Academy
Advice for High Schoolers
Listen to the Podcast with Grace Fox on Columbia University. (75-Minute Listen).
All the Best!
Have a Great Week.
Venkat