Finding Her Fit

Erin Monroe ’22
University of Georgia

Erin chose UGA because it offered the research, internship, and study-away opportunities she wanted, plus a strong veterinary program. As the recipient of the Foundation Fellowship through the Morehead Honors College, Erin receives a full tuition waiver, a living stipend, and funding for study abroad, conferences, and internships. She’s traveled to Vietnam, Iceland, England, Australia, New Zealand, and Brazil through the program, and will spend her senior spring in Greece.

Erin says she “fell in love” with the fellowship during interview weekend and accepted the offer immediately. She credits St. Mary’s for preparing her to be a competitive candidate. Through St. Mary’s Honors Independent Research Study, Erin spent the summer before senior year at the Amphibian Conservation Lab at the Memphis Zoo.

“That experience really helped me stand out. It also helped introduce me to the world of scientific research so that, once I entered college, I felt much more comfortable reaching out to professors about opportunities in their labs,” she said.

Kate Wolfkill ’25
Boston College

Kate chose Boston College because the location, school spirit, and accessible academic resources felt like the right fit. Conversations with current students sealed the decision. She is a member of the Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program, which covers tuition and study abroad.

Kate credits St. Mary’s College Counseling office as her anchor through the search process. Ms. Brooks led strategy sessions, arranged alumnae connections, and “kiboshed any imposter syndrome” before scholarship interviews.

“St. Mary’s gave me the foundation of confidence I needed for this opportunity,” Kate said.

From learning to advocate for herself to exploring a wide range of coursework and extracurricular activities, Kate felt secure in who she was throughout the application and interview process. She added, “I was able to bring my full and unabashed self to my college applications and scholarship interviews, which helped me stand out and secure my place.”

Leah Balkaran ’23
Washington and Lee University

For Leah, financial aid was one of the most important factors in her college decision, though it was not the only one. She knew she wanted a smaller campus with a close-knit, welcoming community where she would feel comfortable and supported.

“In addition to submitting the Common Application, I applied to Washington and Lee University through the QuestBridge Match program,” she said. QuestBridge supports high-achieving, low-income, and/or first-generation students by offering full-tuition and housing scholarships for all four years to partner colleges.

“The process was highly competitive and at times overwhelming, but with constant encouragement from the College Counseling team and my family, I successfully navigated each step.”

Sofia Arbelaez ’23
Yale University

Sofia credits St. Mary’s classes and hands-on research for setting the foundation for her success at Yale. Teachers like Ms. Rose Dunlap and Dr. Anna Bess Sorin encouraged her toward lab work, and programs like the St. Jude High School Research Immersion Program taught her to design experiments and present findings.

She chose Yale University for its student culture, academic rigor, and research opportunities. As a Yale Engineering & Science (YES) Scholar and Hahn Scholar, she receives research funding and access to a cohort of STEM students and faculty.

Since her freshman year, she’s worked in the Bindra Lab at the Yale Medical School.

“I’ve presented my research at symposia and seminars and am now directing an independently- led project investigating DNA damage repair,” she said. This work helped her land a summer internship at the Mayo Clinic.

Averie Howell ’24
University of Alabama

After 15 years at St. Mary’s, Averie wanted to get out of her comfort zone. She was looking for a school where she could meet new people every semester and find research labs, clubs, and professors across countless disciplines. Plus, a little school spirit didn’t hurt!

“I was hesitant about a state school at first, but I quickly realized how much a larger university can offer,” she said. “With so much funding and so many professors, there are ample opportunities to be involved in anything I can imagine.”

A National Merit scholarship, based on her junior test scores, gave Averie an option she couldn’t turn down. Plus, she was invited to join the McCollough Pre-medical Scholars Program.

“Being accepted into a small pre-medical scholars program made me feel more confident in my decision to go to a large school, knowing that I would still have a small, close-knit group of individuals who shared the same goals as me,” she said.

Naomi Betapudi ’25
Southern Methodist University

Naomi says the relationships with her St. Mary’s teachers gave her the confidence to explore engineering and find a college that would be equally supportive. In physics, Ms. Margo Huber sparked her curiosity and offered steady reassurance; Ms. Rose Dunlap connected her with a University of Memphis lab working on lunar spacecraft systems, a hands-on experience that cemented Naomi’s interest in engineering.

A virtual-reality Honors Independent Research Study project at Rhodes College sharpened her coding and research skills, while teachers like Ms. Caroline Goodman and Mrs. Shari Ray strengthened the writing and presentation skills that made her applications stand out. Guidance from Ms. Brooks, especially interview prep, helped her navigate choices with confidence.

Naomi chose Southern Methodist University for its Dallas location, internship opportunities, and the smaller classroom feel she wanted. As a President’s Scholars Program recipient, she earned a full ride (tuition, room and board, plus funding for two study-abroad trips) and has connected with a close cohort of peers.

Mila Szatkowski ’24
University of Southern California

At the University of Southern California, Mila is pursuing a World Bachelor in Business, focusing her studies on business strategy and management, enriched by a global perspective on collaboration and cross-border partnerships.

Through this program, Mila gets the opportunity to study in Los Angeles, Hong Kong, and Milan, and earn degrees from each of the universities in those countries. With every new city, Mila is immersing herself in diverse cultures, engaging with new opportunities, and gaining invaluable perspectives on how business operates across borders.

“It is worth putting myself way outside of my comfort zone because I know that I’m going to grow so much as a person through this experience,” Mila said. “I decided to pursue a global program because I’m a naturally very curious person.”

Anna Douglas Piper ’23
University of Virginia

For Anna Douglas, financial aid was a priority. She earned a spot in the University of Virginia’s Echols Scholars Program. While the program is not funded, it gave her the opportunity to bypass general education requirements and access a much smaller, more selective environment of program and alumni connections.

“I also received a financial aid package that was majority need-based and included subsidized and unsubsidized loans, federal grants, and work-study,” she said. “I was in the Jefferson Scholarship selection process for a few months, and although I did not receive the scholarship, making it to a certain round also came with a small amount of merit-based funding. All aid went towards tuition and fees, like housing and meals.”

Erica Ormseth ’24
Northeastern University

During her first year at Northeastern University, Erica studied in Greece at the American College of Thessaloniki, where she fully immersed herself in a foreign culture. By attending a Greek university, eating Greek food, and becoming a part of a different community, Erica embraced the challenge of adapting to a new culture with curiosity and confidence.

Through this immersive experience abroad, Erica developed a deeper global awareness and independence.

“I was most surprised by how normal it felt to live in another country,” Erica said. “I thought living in a Greek society would feel super foreign or out of place, but it ended up feeling like home after a little while.”

Mary Claire Carney ’22
University of South Carolina

As an International Business student at the University of South Carolina, Mary Claire has sought out every opportunity to engage with other cultures. Most recently, she spent a year as an exchange student at the University of Chile, embracing a new way of life while sharpening her Spanish through full immersion in a Spanish-speaking environment.

The experience broadened her worldview, challenged her assumptions, and strengthened her skills necessary to be a global citizen.

“Being abroad has completely changed my outlook on life. I have really learned to appreciate different life perspectives,” she said. “It is essential to interact with as many different people as possible to really gain a global mindset and be empathetic to global situations.”

Lauren Watson ’25
Illinois Wesleyan University

Lauren chose Illinois Wesleyan University because she wanted to be in the North without being too far from home, and she needed a scholarship package equal to or less than St. Mary’s cost. She received a talent scholarship for Theatre Arts, a housing scholarship, and education benefits as a military dependent.

At St. Mary’s, Lauren valued the check-in meetings with her college counselor, which gave her a place to ask questions along the way. “I always had a meeting on my calendar where I could ask for help or understand more,” she said.

St. Mary’s helped her build the communication and problem-solving skills she needs in college. “I wouldn’t be the student I am without SMS,” she said.

Mary Porter Feild ’25
University of St. Andrews

Mary Porter is at the University of St. Andrews studying neuroscience while exploring life abroad. Through this experience, she hopes to gain invaluable knowledge not only about her academic interests but also about how another culture lives and thrives.

The college counseling team at St. Mary’s played a key role in guiding Mary Porter to discover her interest in studying in another country, helping her step toward a transformative global experience.

“The college counseling team was incredibly helpful during this experience,” Mary Porter said. “They were reliable and encouraging throughout the entire process, and I am grateful to have had their counsel.”

Afifa Shah ’25
University of Toronto

In her first year at the University of Toronto, Afifa is studying industrial relations, human resources, and education in an international location. Afifa knew she wanted to experience another country throughout her college career to widen her perspective and capitalize on new experiences.

Now living in a vibrant, diverse city, she is eager to take advantage of the cultural, academic, and professional opportunities that surround her, each offering a new way to expand her perspective and deepen her understanding of the world.

“As a dual-citizen interested in international work, I expanded my horizons during my college search to find a place that would align with my goals,” Afifa said. “I was drawn to the University of Toronto due to its unique, diverse community and academic standing.”

Addie Heehs '22
University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Addie said that when applying to colleges, her top priorities were distance from home, affordability, and finding the right campus culture. Ultimately, Heehs chose the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

“I knew I didn’t want to graduate with a large amount of debt, so I was looking for ways to earn scholarships and reduce costs,” Heehs said. “My search led me to discover the Haslam Leadership Scholars Program. Given its competitive nature, it felt like an incredible opportunity, one I never expected to receive, but it was absolutely worth applying for.”

The Haslam Leadership Scholars Program offers a fully funded academic experience, including study abroad and an internship, along with a close-knit cohort of about 15 students.

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