In December, Tasha sat at the end of her dining room table as family gathered around her. Some of her closest friends, her two brothers, and one of her teachers joined the moment by video call. After months of hard work and anxious waiting, everyone had come together for the same reason: to find out whether Tasha had been accepted as a QuestBridge Scholar.
She logged into the portal and clicked on the notification. Instantly, the screen burst into confetti. Written in big, bold letters were the words:
“Congratulations! You’ve been matched with Boston University!”
That moment marked the beginning of a new chapter. This fall, Tasha will leave Renton and head across the country to begin her studies at Boston University.
With an acceptance rate of less than ten percent, earning admission to Boston University alone is a significant accomplishment. Being matched through the QuestBridge Scholarship makes it even more remarkable. The highly competitive scholarship supports students from low-income backgrounds and covers tuition, room and board, school supplies, and moving expenses, representing a value of more than $300,000.
Tasha’s journey to this moment did not happen by chance. It is the result of hard work, sacrifice, and her commitment to seeking out the resources available to her, including College Possible Washington.
In the interview below, Tasha reflects on her path to college, the support that helped her navigate a competitive application process, and what this opportunity means for her future.
How did you first learn about College Possible Washington, and what motivated you to join the program?
There was a link for it [on a poster], and it said something about being a college prep program. I thought, “Oh, I should probably join this, because I don’t really know what I’m going to do for college.” So, I joined it because I needed help figuring out what I wanted to do and just needed some guidance.
Do you have an intended major, or are there academic areas you’re excited to explore?
I’m thinking about either architecture or health administration. I really like the aspect of architecture because it involves math and design, a little bit of customer service and consultation, and teamwork. I like health administration because I want to make a difference in health policy.
How does starting college without the stress of tuition affect your outlook, your confidence, or the way you imagine your college experience?
Not having to pay is so nice because I won’t have to worry about the stress of making ends meet … I feel like if I had to work, I wouldn’t be able to make friends or join clubs; I’d just be focused on trying to pay my tuition. So, I’m very grateful for this opportunity.
What does earning a college degree mean to you, and how do you think it will impact your future?
I’m still not sure what I want to do yet, but whatever happens, I just hope that I’ll have a job where I can live comfortably and help those around me. I don’t view money as my motivation, but more as a resource. By getting a college degree, I’ll be able to utilize that to help and support my family with whatever they want, because they’ve given up so much for me.
Why do you think programs like College Possible Washington are worth the community supporting and investing in?
I think everyone who succeeds in life, not even just financially, is someone who had a mentor in their past, and College Possible is a great opportunity to experience mentorship. Even separate from the college stuff, there’s a lot of opportunity to share your feelings and be your authentic self [with your advisor], and a lot of kids here need that.
Our team at College Possible Washington proudly celebrates Tasha’s remarkable achievement and looks forward to supporting her continued success as she begins this next chapter!
