Five Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts students received matches, including three with Ivy League schools, for the 2022 QuestBridge National College Scholarship Match.
Kacie Koen of Benton, Alex Pearson of Lincoln, Alyssa Thomas of El Dorado, Ai’Yanna Tombs of North Little Rock and John Tucker of Bald Knob each matched with a QuestBridge partner institution and will receive a four-year full scholarship to attend those institutions.
Koen matched with Columbia University in New York City; Pearson with Brown University in Providence, R.I.; Thomas with the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia; Tombs with Northwestern in Evaston, Ill.; and Tucker with Rice University in Houston.
QuestBridge is a nonprofit organization that connects exceptional low-income youth with leading institutions of higher education. QuestBridge works with top universities across the country to offer four-year, full scholarships to deserving students who may otherwise be unable to afford to attend those institutions.
QuestBridge partnered this year with 48 colleges and universities to offer scholarships at institutions such as Duke University, Rice University, Stanford University and others.
Students apply for the scholarships through the Common Application, which is used by many educational institutions for admission. QuestBridge applicants write an essay to accompany the application. They may list up to 12 of the partner schools at which they would like to be considered for admission.
Match Scholarship Recipients are granted early admission to one of QuestBridge's college partners with a scholarship worth more than $200,000. The Match Scholarship is offered as part of a generous financial aid package provided by the college that covers the cost of attendance, including tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and travel expenses. All Match Scholarship packages have no parental contribution or student loans.
Students were notified by email of their matches on Dec. 1. Each reacted excitedly to the news they received that day.
“I found out during my third-period calculus class,” said Koen, who plans to double major in theatre and dramatic arts with a concentration in playwriting. “Whenever I saw the email, I immediately stepped out into the hall and opened to the website. When I saw that I had matched with my dream university, I started crying. I called my mom, and she also broke down. I took a few minutes to collect myself and went back into my class where everyone classed for me for getting accepted.”
Koen said Columbia was the only school on her list because it “is truly one of a kind. In the vast urban landscape of New York City, the culture is astonishing. Combined with the renowned Theatre and English departments, I knew it was the perfect university of me. I only ranked Columbia for this reason. I was shocked to learn that I matched!”
Pearson said he jumped out of his seat in disbelief and immediately rushed to tell Bret Vallun, ASMSA’s assistant dean for college counseling, and Erica Arivette, his student success coordinator.
“It was probably the most exciting moment of my life,” Pearson said, noting that Brown provides its students renowned research opportunities and an open curriculum. He plans to major in biochemistry.
Thomas said that as she opened the email a part of her thought that she wouldn’t match. Fortunately, that thought was wrong.
“Seeing that congratulations screen made all of the things that I’d been doing up until that point worth it,” Thomas said. “I screamed. I was in disbelief reading that I matched with my No. 1-ranked school. Seeing as I’m a first-generation student accepted to an Ivy League, I knew that I would call my mom first.”
Thomas plans to major in environmental studies either on the pre-law or pre-med track. She said UPenn was her top choice because it has a great environmental study program, many research and internship opportunities, and a great pre-law/med track. But there was also another reason.
“UPenn is in the heart of Philadelphia, and I am a foodie at heart,” she said.
Tombs said she thought her computer was malfunctioning as she opened her letter.
“I literally just stared at my computer for a minute or two,” said Tombs, who plans to major in political science with a minor in business. “After I realized the computer wasn’t glitching, I did a little celebratory dance. I told my mom and aunt first and then the rest of my family.”
She placed Northwestern on her match list “because I saw that the school would provide me with the opportunity to explore my interdisciplinary academic interests while still providing a rich and rigorous education. Northwestern’s awesome student organizations and great law school for after undergrad are also reasons why I ranked it.”
Tucker said he immediately called his mom to share the good news after he opened his email. He also messaged all of his friends and then ran to Vallun’s office to tell him.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited for the result of any school-related activity or exam,” said Tucker, who plans to major in electrical engineering. “I couldn’t sleep the night before out of anticipation.
“Rice is one of the top engineering schools in the country. It has great financial aid and is located within driving distance. The campus is beautiful, the student life is involved, and they even have a resident college system to make Houston, that is almost as big as our entire state, feel smaller and tight knit.”
Koen said an important aspect of her successful match was the support she received from ASMSA.
“I am so thankful for all of the opportunities that ASMSA has given me, time and time again. Without the support system and extracurricular opportunities I was given here, getting into Columbia would have been nearly impossible,” Koen said.
Both Tucker and Thomas noted that the QuestBridge match is a major financial boon for the students. Tucker said he couldn’t overstate how nice it feels to not worry about college tuition and acceptance for the rest of his high school career. Thomas shared a similar sentiment.
“I am extremely grateful to the QuestBridge team because without this resource I probably would have had to finance my education through loans,” Thomas said.
Tombs encouraged other students to take the time to complete the QuestBridge process in the future. “I encourage anyone who qualifies for QuestBridge to apply! It won’t hurt to try,” Tombs said.