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The University of Louisville was NEVER my first choice for undergrad. It was a feeling of restlessness in my small town, but it was more my insecurities about not measuring up academically to my peers. Ever since I was a little girl, I would always say I was leaving Kentucky for undergrad. Regardless of the circumstances or whether I received financial aid, I would attend a high-ranking school where opportunities were abundant and the curriculum was challenging in a way that forced me to become more innovative. I dreamed of attending Howard, UChicago, Northwestern, or WashU so much that I physically could not think of any other future for myself. Then, my senior year came.
I had applied to UofL primarily to appease my mom and to give her the comfort that if push came to shove, there was a chance that her daughter would not be leaving the state for four years. Well, low and behold, that shove came hard when UofL awarded me the life-changing Porter Scholarship. My award came before I received any other college acceptances, so I was holding out hope while my mom was beating into my head how stupid it was to pass up this massive amount of money. Then, decision letters for the other schools I applied to finally came, all with little to no financial aid. I confronted my biggest fear, that no matter how hard I had worked, my circumstances, which are the fault of no one, would require me to defer my dream and choose rationality over hope.
Upon attending UofL, my mom, and my grandparents had me promise that I would make the absolute most out of my four years despite compromising. So I attempted to do the absolute most by any means necessary because even though I didn’t choose this school, this school and the Porter scholarship chose me, and I have to respect that. I joined various clubs, made a few friends, and focused on my academics, but for the first year and a half, everything just felt underwhelming. If I were on another campus, I would be doing more and challenging myself more.
When writing my “why” essay to all the schools I applied to, I detailed this dream of an academic utopia where discussions on issues more extensive than the perceived curriculum were abundant, and students attended school to learn, not just get a degree. I perceived that this conception of college was lost at UofL. Then, two of my academic role models, Logan and Paighton, told me I should apply to this fantastic political science scholarship program. I didn’t have a single clue about what this program was or what it entailed. Therefore, when I began the application process, I knew I had to research as much as possible. From the first Google search, I knew the McConnell Scholar Program provided the college experience I was hungry for.
Going into my interviews, I was shaking in my boots because I was so worried that I wouldn’t be perceived as an intellectual equal to my future peers. From the application period to my decision letter, I was constantly holding my breath, and it wasn’t until my acceptance that I could exhale. Since then, UofL went from not being among my top five choices for undergraduates to becoming my only choice. This shift in my experience is primarily due to the friends and staff that I have met within the Center. The McConnell Center is notorious for its unparalleled programming and opportunities. Let it not go unrecognized that the programming has challenged my perceptions and continued to extend the bounds of my education. But I believe the people within the Center make the culture I have come to love.
Coming in as a mid-year addition to my class cohort, I was terrified that I wouldn’t be accepted. Still, after meeting everyone in my class and experiencing D.C. together, I realized there was no other group I wanted to share this program with. The same sentiment extends to the upper and underclassmen with whom I have had the pleasure of becoming friends. Every one of these people is beyond sensational in academics and character and exemplifies what it means to be a true scholar. From Karmyn’s unwavering friendship and Riley’s unquantifiably large heart to all of the senior class’s brilliant wisdom, every scholar has positively influenced the trajectory of my college life.
Moreover, I can’t even express how appreciative I am of all the Center staff and the amazing work they do day in and day out. Dr. Greg, Ms. Sherry, Jessica, and Meghan are the heart of the Center, and without them, the program would be a hollow shell of the life-changing opportunity it is now.