Seventeen-year-old Nigerian-American, Ashley Adirika, has achieved a rare and remarkable feat by gaining acceptance into all eight Ivy League schools along with seven other prestigious universities in the US. This accomplishment is particularly noteworthy given the traditionally low acceptance rates of these institutions, often below 10 percent.
The daughter of a Nigerian immigrant mother who arrived in the US three decades ago, Ashley graduated from Miami Beach Senior High School. During her time there, she distinguished herself as a student leader, a debater, and the founder of an organization dedicated to empowering marginalized young women.
In the late fall of the previous year, Ashley applied to all eight Ivy League schools and seven additional universities. On the eagerly anticipated Ivy Day, she received acceptance letters from each one.
Reflecting on her achievement, Ashley shared, “I just decided to shoot my shot at all of them and see if it would land. And I had no idea that I would get accepted into all of them.”
Opting to further her education at Harvard University, Ashley has chosen to major in government. Her aspirations include exploring how policy initiatives can contribute to addressing economic disparities in communities.
Ashley’s journey serves as an inspiration, showcasing the impact of hard work, determination, and self-belief. As a brilliant student and role model for young women of color, she exemplifies the potential for amazing outcomes through dedication.
The accolades and well-wishes pouring in on social media are a testament to the admiration and support Ashley has garnered. We join the chorus of congratulations, celebrating Ashley and the extraordinary path she is set to embark upon!
High school senior Kamryn Stargell, hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, has accomplished an extraordinary feat by securing admission to 29 prestigious universities across the United States and being awarded a total of $2.2 million in scholarships. Her dream of becoming a medical doctor is now well within reach.
Attending North Atlanta High School, Kamryn, with the guidance of her mother, embarked on the college and scholarship application process early. Despite initial anxiety, she expressed excitement about the results of her hard work, stating to Fox 5 Atlanta, “After all of the hard work we put into applying to them, it was really a breath of fresh air knowing I got into college if I just got into one of them.”
The overwhelming number of acceptance letters and scholarship offers from renowned institutions such as Tulane University, Howard University, Spelman College, and Emory University left Kamryn grateful for the opportunity to pursue her education without the burden of financial concerns. “Definitely, just knowing that I won’t have to graduate with thousands and thousands of dollars in debt and being able to move on to my next step in my career without that financial burden is really just an overpowering feeling,” she remarked.
Kamryn’s mother, Kristie Stargell, described her daughter as an exceptional student excelling in academics and extracurricular activities. Although initially aiming for $1 million in scholarships, Kristie expressed astonishment at Kamryn surpassing this goal, stating, “I mean, honestly, I had a goal of 1 million dollars. But when did it keep going? Wow! We are truly blessed, and this is more than I could ever have imagined.” Click here to read more about Kamryn Stargell.