Daya Brown is a brilliant young lady who has achieved an incredible feat: she has been accepted by 54 colleges and universities in the United States and has received over $1.3 million in scholarship offers. She is a senior at Westlake High School in Atlanta, Georgia, where she has excelled academically and creatively.
Brown started her college application process in 2020, when she was a sophomore, by researching schools that offered majors in mass communications or film, which are her passions. She also created her own production company, Elom & Co. Productions, which focuses on emerging creators. She said she wanted to showcase her personality and talents beyond her grades and test scores.
“I think a lot of people think that if you’re smart, you can’t be cool,” she said. “So I found a way to showcase brilliance [and] still have fun while you’re doing it.”
Brown applied to about 70 schools and received positive responses from 54 of them, including prestigious institutions like Duke University, Harvard University, Yale University, Stanford University and Columbia University. She also received over $1.3 million in cumulative scholarships, which means she can attend college without worrying about student loans.
“It really wasn’t about the number of schools I applied to, it was really about making sure that I had options for my parents to really sit back and relax,” she said. “Student loans are something that I do not want. So this is kind of a gift, both to myself and to them.”
Brown said she chose to attend Duke University in Durham, N.C., where she will major in visual and media studies this fall. She said she felt at home when she visited the campus and was welcomed by many Black students who shared her dreams and aspirations.
“When we stepped foot on Duke’s campus, I honestly had the feeling at that very moment… a sense of home,” she said. “I was welcomed by so many amazing Black students who look just like me, who have the same dreams and aspirations as me as well.”
Brown said she could not have achieved her goals without the support of her family and mentors. She thanked her father, who is a pastor and an educator, her mother, who is creative, her grandmother, who makes her gowns, and her brother, who makes her laugh.
“At the end of the day, I believe my village really showed up,” she said.
Brown is an inspiration to many young people who aspire to pursue higher education and follow their passions. She has proven that with hard work, dedication and creativity, anything is possible.
Here are some key statistics about Daya Brown’s story that illustrate her remarkable achievement:
- She applied to 70 colleges and universities
- She was accepted by 54 colleges and universities
- She received over $1.3 million in scholarship offers
- She chose Duke University, which has an acceptance rate of 7.7%
- She will major in visual and media studies, which is ranked among the top 10 programs in the country
We want to celebrate Daya today for being a remarkable young lady. You are truly a Rising African and an able role model for the new African. Rising Africa is a dynamic platform that highlights the remarkable achievements of Africans worldwide and provides up-to-date information on scholarships and sponsorships available to African youth. Our vision is to inspire and empower the next generation of African leaders by showcasing the diverse accomplishments and talents of Africans across different fields, including technology, business, arts and culture, and social activism.
Through our Success Stories portal, we celebrate Rising Africans of all ages and sectors who have risen above challenges and made impactful innovations. Our Wonder Kids section features young achievers aged 1-12, while the Super Teens category highlights those aged 13-19, and Young Achievers profiles those aged 20-30. We also have dedicated portals for Women in Africa and persons living with disabilities.
In addition to celebrating African achievement, our Opportunities portal connects African youth to the latest sponsorship, scholarship, awards, and other life-changing opportunities. By providing access to these opportunities, we aim to empower African youth to pursue their dreams and make a positive impact in their communities.
At Rising Africa, we believe in the limitless potential of Africans to create a prosperous future for the continent. Join us in celebrating African excellence and building a brighter future for Africa.
Sources:
She was accepted by 54 colleges and got $1.3 million in scholarship offers – The Washington Post
Daya Brown: 18-year-old student gets offer from 54 colleges, $1.3m in scholarships – Samaa English
Daya Brown balances her studies with business – YEN News
High School Teen Accepted to Over 50 US Colleges – Goalcast
