How I got a Full Ride to College

I am currently a sophomore chemical engineering major at Howard University. I am also on the swim team. I also pay about $200 dollars in fees every semester (that's it). I received a full ride at Howard through hard work, dedication and strategy.

I started swimming on a club team when I was nine. Which is kind of late considering many people started at five. I was raised by a single mom. She's extremely smart and resourceful. That's where I got my drive from. By the time I was in middle school I was excelling at math and science. Around that time is when you start to learn about college and all the different specialties. I decided on engineering by the time I reached high school. Somewhere in there, I chose chemical engineering.

By my senior year I was actively talking to eleven universities, nine of which I was being recruited for. Both Division I and Division III. I applied to all eleven. Accepted into ten of those schools. I received four academic scholarships.

Howard University was the only school that offered me a FULL TUITION academic scholarship. Considering just the academic scholarship alone, they were offering me more than any other school. I visited the school and met the coach and the team. They were all very kind and welcoming. One day in April, after practice, we got on the phone with the coach and the phone call didn’t even last 15 minutes. We all knew what I wanted. So I received an athletic scholarship covering housing, meal plan, and books.

Read through my blog for more advice and tips. Feel free to comment and ask questions.