The following article features recent Northwestern University admit Bridgette, who was a member of CollegeAdvisor.com’s Scholars Program. For more information about our programming and personal guidance about the college application process, head to CollegeAdvisor.com and sign up for a monthly plan to work with an admissions coach 1-on-1.

CollegeAdvisor.com Scholar Bridgette was sitting in the middle of AP English Literature when the Questbridge National College Match decisions were released. She had spent the day in anticipation of this moment. As emails were sent out and group-chats began blowing up, students hopped out of class to view their results.

Bridgette, however, remained in class until the end. She had plans to view her results, but she wasn’t going to do it alone.

As soon as class was dismissed, Bridgette called up her high school college counselor, who had helped her gain the confidence to apply to college. The two immediately jumped on a Zoom call with a shared screen to see the incredible news: Bridgette had been matched to Northwestern University with a full, four-year scholarship.

Last summer, Bridgette saw an instagram post that someone had shared about CollegeAdvisor.com‘s Scholars Program (previously known as the Bullseye Scholars Program), which offers free mentoring for low-income high school students applying to college.

“I was interested because there aren’t many college consulting organizations that have low-income students in mind,” says Bridgette. She had heard good things about CollegeAdvisor.com a few times in the past, so she decided to apply.

Through CollegeAdvisor.com, Bridgette gained a new community. Each month, she and 50 other CollegeAdvisor Scholars CollegeAdvisor.com‘s webinars with tips about admissions and college life. In addition to learning more about the application process, they simulated mock college admissions reviews of fake applicants in order to better understand what factors might influence their applications.

Bridgette also received one-on-one help and free essay edits from a personal advisor, Admissions Expert Jasmine Phillips. “She helped make my Questbridge essays the best that they could’ve been, which really made a difference,” says the new Northwestern admit. “With her edits, I felt prepared to put my essay in front of an admissions committee that I had never met before.”

Growing up just outside of Washington, D.C. in Alexandria, Virginia, Bridgette always dreamed of being a storyteller. As a child, she was an avid reader with a love for literature. She drew pictures and wrote stories in her freetime, aspiring to one day become a childrens’ book author.

Then, a few years down the line, she discovered journalism. She is particularly inspired by Gwen Ifill (1955-2016) and Nellie Bly (1864 – 1922), who helped pave the way for black and female journalists through investigative journalism. “We can learn so much about the human condition through the stories we tell,” she says. “I hope to uncover our generations’ experiences and empower others through stories the way that I felt empowered.”

Now, Bridgette gets to pursue her dreams at Northwestern University. With an interest in podcasts and news reporting in addition to print, she plans to study Journalism and Media and is considering a minor in Politics or History. She is most excited to meet her fellow Questbridge Scholars who matched to Northwestern University, as well as travelling away from home for the first time.

When asked what advice she would give to those who are now entering high school or are thinking about applying to college, Bridgette says, “I would tell them to be open to new opportunities and possibilities. Allow yourself to grow.”

This success story was based on an interview with CollegeAdvisor Scholar Bridgette. If you want to learn more about the CollegeAdvisor Scholars program or get 1-on-1 help with your college applications from a CollegeAdvisor.com Admissions Expert, register with CollegeAdvisor.com today.