Two CSM Scholars Receive QuestBridge Full Ride Scholarship

Every year, CSM seniors are encouraged to apply to at least two dream colleges. Sometimes, those big dreams produce big scholarships, as they did for David and Jessica, CSM seniors who earned full rides to their dream colleges through the QuestBridge National College Match program. Next fall, David will head to Boston College and Jessica will make her way to The University of Chicago.

The QuestBridge program is extremely competitive and provides finalists with full ride scholarship opportunities to top colleges across the nation through a ranking and matching process. Out of almost 16,500 applicants, David and Jessica were two of 1,674 students matched to their dream colleges. The Match Scholarship includes tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and travel expenses. 
 
David and Jessica exemplified CSM’s Core Values to get to this point, and they believe those values will continue to serve them at their top-tier colleges. When asked which Collegiate Core Value will be most important during her freshman year, Jessica said, “Hard work. I feel like Collegiate has helped us build up our work ethic. I’ll use the study skills and things I learned at Collegiate in college.” David responded, “Self Discipline, I think I’ll need it to keep myself in check and go back to my roots and morals.”
 
But flourishing at your dream school doesn’t just mean cranking out papers and passing exams. David and Jessica are both excited to meet new people and explore their new cities. “I think I’ll like seeing the historical sites and museums,” David said. Jessica added, “I’m excited to be in a big city. There’s so much to see and I’m excited to interact with all of the events that will happen.” When asked what David and Jessica will miss most about Memphis they replied in unison, “American Deli!” Of course, their families also make the top of the list. 

In earning QuestBridge Match Scholarships, David and Jessica join the proud ranks of CSM alumni Ashley Lopez (℅ 2020) and Eunise Garcia (℅ 2021) who also earned QuestBridge scholarships to attend their top colleges: Columbia University, and The University of Chicago, respectively. Because of their hard work at Collegiate, these scholars are all bringing life to their dreams–of big cities, exciting studies, and apparently, a lot of snow.