This fall, Fatima packed up her life in Texas and moved away to study mechatronics engineering, a blend of mechanical and electrical engineering and computer science. This move was more than a change in scenery.
“It was a big step for me and also for my family,” Fatima says. “I’m the youngest in my family, and also the first to go to college. It was exciting for all of us.”
A Big Step for the Whole Family
When Fatima first heard about College Possible Texas during her AP English class, she wasn’t sure what to expect. But the more she listened, the more the idea took hold: a coach who could walk alongside her through every twist and turn of the admissions process, much like an older sibling would.
That kind of guidance was exactly what Fatima needed. She had been relying on YouTube videos and late-night research to make sense of applications. But the questions kept piling up.
“There were a lot of small details that can get confusing if you don’t have someone to guide you through,” she recalls.
Finding Her Person
“That’s when I met my coach,” Fatima says. “And he was incredibly helpful every step of the way.”
Suddenly, Fatima was coming back again and again with financial aid questions, essay drafts, and a steady stream of curiosity about what other opportunities were out there.
That open door made all the difference. As Fatima puts it, College Possible is about far more than just getting an acceptance letter.
“You build a real relationship with your coach,” she says. “It’s about feeling comfortable, like you’re in a secure zone, a safe zone. It’s about how you feel through this entire journey, not just the destination.”
When It Got Hard
Despite the support, the road wasn’t entirely smooth. The hardest moment arrived near the end of senior year. Around her, classmates celebrated financial aid offers and committed to schools, while Fatima’s path forward remained frustratingly blank.
“It felt like I wasn’t going to be able to go to college because I didn’t have a scholarship offer or a financial aid package that covered my tuition yet,” she says. “I was really thinking it wasn’t going to happen. I was ready to give up at the end.”
But she kept going anyway. Working closely with her coach, Fatima applied for every opportunity she could find. Soon, the picture completely changed, culminating in a wave of scholarship offers.
“I’m so grateful,” Fatima says. “It went from a stressful situation to a wonderful one. But it was hard watching everyone else commit while I was waiting. I learned that the key is not comparing yourself to other people, because we all have different challenges and different paths.”
Nervous and Excited
When asked to describe her future in one word, Fatima couldn’t choose.
“It’s scary, but I’m also happy,” she says. “I know it’s going to be challenging. I know it won’t be easy. But at the same time, I’m happy that I can experience this—something my parents and my family couldn’t.”
For the students following in her footsteps, Fatima’s advice is simple: don’t wait.
“Plan ahead,” she advises. “Put effort into your classes. A lot of high school seniors procrastinate once they get close to graduation, but you should keep doing your best.”
As she settles into mechatronics engineering and explores her new surroundings, Fatima leaves behind a universal reminder for any student doubting their path:
“Don’t give up on your dreams, and keep trying every day.”
