Teen accepted to 231 universities wins $15 million in scholarships

Madison Crowell, an 18-year-old from Liberty County High School in Georgia, has done something remarkable.

Crowell was accepted by 231 universities and received approximately $15 million in academic merit scholarships, including a full tuition scholarship to High Point University (HPU) in North Carolina.

Crowell has decided to attend HPU, where she will study exercise science and eventually aims to earn a doctorate in physical therapy.

Crowell's interest in physical therapy began when she helped her great-grandfather with his physical therapy after a stroke.

In an exclusive interaction with The Free Press Journal (FPJ), Crowell spoke about his challenges and struggles.

Overcoming personal challenges

Crowell's path to success was not easy. Being a military child, she had to move often.

“My father is a soldier in the United States Army, so we have to move often. My first challenge was having to start high school in a new state where I didn't know anyone,” she explained.

Shortly after settling in Georgia, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, further adding to the challenges.

During this time, Crowell faced several personal difficulties.

“My grandmother also died suddenly around this time. My mother had to start dialysis when I was in 10th grade and it was scary because she was often sick and had to be hospitalized several times. She eventually received his kidney transplant after starting my senior year. This was probably the biggest challenge I faced. Finally, my father had to be deployed shortly after my mother recovered. also a difficult time.

Crowell credits her faith and her family for helping her through these difficult times.

“It was through my faith in God and the support of my family and community that I was able to overcome these obstacles and not let them overwhelm me. I stayed focused on what I had to do. I remained surrounded by people who wanted to support me whenever I needed it.

Cope with rejections and stay motivated

Despite her accomplishments, Crowell was rejected by a few universities, including the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Tulane University, and Colorado College. “I’m not going to lie, the first two rejections really hurt,” she said. But her parents helped her stay positive. “My parents reminded me how we prepared ourselves for rejection. Even though I have been successful in most areas, there will be times when I am not the right person for people, or in this case, for an institution. When this happens, it doesn't mean there's anything wrong with me. It just means it wasn't meant for me at that time. may show up another time, and it may not, but I have to move forward,” Crowell added.

Family support and influence

Crowell's family played an important role in his academic journey. “My parents are the foundation of my success, which is why I highly value education. They always instilled in me the importance of education. It was the way for me to live my dreams and achieve my goal,” she said. . Her parents took her on college tours early and enrolled her in programs to support her interests.

“They always made sure I believed in myself and my ability to do anything. None of this would be possible without them,” she said.

Strategic application process

Madison's candidacy strategy was well planned. As her family moved often due to her father's job, she targeted schools in areas where they might move.

“I looked at schools that would be near the areas my parents would need to move to. I also looked at colleges with the best programs to support my major,” she explained.

She used fee waivers during campus visits and focused on good academic performance to get most of her scholarships.

“I created templates to use when communicating with schools. I also requested letters of recommendation from my professors the summer before college applications opened. It was a huge undertaking, but l “Organization was the key to my success,” Crowell emphasized.

Tips for applying for a scholarship

Crowell began preparing for scholarships early, writing essays during his junior year. “We took some of the most popular essay prompts and I started writing the essays. When it was time to apply, the hard part was already over,” she said.

Her early preparation paid off, as she won her first scholarship in seventh grade.

Managing her time was a challenge due to her active involvement in school and community activities.

“The biggest challenge at first was time management because I was very active in school and in my community. Once I got into the rhythm, it became easier. My mother and I had a system, and I spent at least an hour every weekday and about four hours on the weekend on my to-do list for scholarships and applications,” Crowell said.

Choosing High Point University

Among the 231 universities that accepted it, HPU stood out.

“Holistic commitment to my future was at the center of everything I experienced with HPU. Their physical therapy program and facilities are incredible, and the opportunities for me are endless,” she said.

Published on: Monday, June 17, 2024, 09:50 IST