"Unleashing Potential: Whitney Njogu's Journey to Princeton University and the Future of Computer Science"
Whitney:My academic journey had been far from linear. I was a student who had to constantly read to achieve good grades. It is a trait that inclined me more into the sciences and the tech world and my coding exploits helped me to become more knowledgeable about the computer science field. A subject like mathematics came easily to me and I loved the computations and calculations. Even in high school, I knew my career would involve some aspects of mathematics. I attended a few coding boot-camps and the more I learnt the deeper my newfound love for Computer Science grew.
How did you feel when you received admissions offers from prestigious universities like Princeton, Duke, Williams, and Columbia?
Whitney:I had received likely letters from both Duke and Columbia and even to date I cannot believe it. I was extremely excited and never expected such outcomes. It still feels so surreal to me that I got accepted to these schools and I thank God because I knew it was not by my own capability. I remember getting my likely letter, I just woke up randomly at 3 a.m because I could not sleep and instinctively just checked my email and then there it was. I screamed so loudly I woke up the whole house. It was a very exciting moment for my family and I.
What factors influenced your decision to choose Princeton University over the other options?
Whitney:I chose Princeton because of its undergraduate focus and liberal education. I wanted as much fluidity as possible in my academic career and I knew Princeton would give me that flexibility to explore not only engineering but also the artsy side of academics. I also love that Princeton is so dedicated to the undergraduates with the smaller population and provides access to many resources within the school. I know that at Princeton, there is accessibility to many facilities and the suburban location suits my introverted personality much better.
Can you share your thoughts and emotions upon receiving a full scholarship from Princeton? How do you believe this scholarship will impact your academic journey?
I believe that as a student the main focus should be on building the best version of yourself and for that, I hope to be able to purely focus on what I am required to do rather than finances which is a major burden on many students. Considering Princeton’s academic rigour, I am sure that I will thrive and blossom into a powerhouse in the STEM field here.
How did the AFEX College Application Program support you during the application process? In what ways did their guidance and resources contribute to your success?
Whitney:AFEX helped me significantly with finding my voice as a writer and guiding me on my thought process in many of the essays I wrote. Coming to AFEX, I was a very flamboyant writer. I used the most complex vocabulary in my sentences until my writing was convoluted. Under the tutelage of my mentors, I was able to understand the importance of simplicity in my essays and how to convey my message without complicating my language. They made me better for my future ahead. I can confidently say that AFEX helped me to produce stellar essays that I am proud of to date with access to resources such as essay writing materials and lessons that guided me step by step in writing my essays. AFEX also helped me with my SATs, prepping me with lessons and materials that gave me the concepts necessary to ace the SAT. I came to AFEX on the brink of giving up on this process with a 1320 on my SAT but I left with a 1500. This was only possible through AFEX’s rigorous practice and revision that helped me achieve my desired score.
What specific experiences or achievements do you believe made your application stand out to these top-tier universities?
Whitney:I believe that it was my essays and extracurricular activities that made me stand out. I had done a few internships for engineering and founded a community service foundation that targeted marginalised women in the community and I made sure to tie my essays with these passion projects to show that these were real experiences and pivotal ones in shaping me to the person I am today. I also made sure to show my versatility through my activities with a mix of both STEM and humanities oriented activities to show that I am a multifaceted student. I made sure to communicate my suitability to each institution with unique perks about each school to prove to these schools that I will be a valuable addition to them. I think a combination of all these made my application as a whole stand out.
How do you envision your studies at Princeton University and your pursuit of computer science shaping your future career goals?
Whitney:I’m trying to live in the present as much as I can. I cannot speak for my future self but I can only hope that at Princeton I can be the best version of myself and truly find a community of like minded people with my shared passions. I am prepared for the rigour and dedication that comes with attending this institution and I anticipate dedicating my all to achieving my goals and dreams. I understand that it may not be the most seamless of journeys but I hope to get the most out of Princeton and truly find myself. As a computer science major, I hope to find my niche in a profession known for being ‘too concentrated’ . I hope to diversify into AI or even machine learning and make the most of my education to freelance as a software developer in the future. But who knows? The world is my oyster, so I'm keeping an open mind with regards to my future exploits
What advice would you give to aspiring students who are passionate about computer science or aiming for admissions into renowned universities?
Whitney:I’d say to not trust in your capabilities. The college application process needs one to be shameless with asking for help. It needs people who are not afraid of correction, those who dare to be criticised and reproached. It needs someone who takes correction positively so I advise one to be as fluid as possible. Sometimes we may not know and it's okay, ask for help if you need it, do not suffer in silence maybe because you may assume you are right. Get a third eye to read your essays, ask your peers for help, do your due research and put yourself out there and I guarantee you you will get the school of your dreams. I also believe that practice makes perfect, constantly practise essay writing work and rework those essays, ask someone else to read for you, don't fear rejection and most importantly remain true to yourself. Let your personality shine through your essays
Can you reflect on the role education and support have played in your personal growth and development?
Whitney:Education has been my everything for a significant part of my life. The tumultuous experience has made me resilient, more aware of the world and as a whole, a better human being. Certain experiences during my academic journey have proved invaluable to my growth; failures and success, sadness and happiness all these experiences tell a story that the world will soon know one day. It has given me my confidence, my ambition particularly as a girl, and most importantly, it has ironically taught me to decenter academics from my life. To not live only for academic validation but for the love of knowledge and curiosity. I am a more wholesome individual because of the education I have been accorded and I hope to continue to grow at Princeton.
If you are a student aspiring to achieve remarkable success and pursue
your dreams in higher education, AFEX is here to support you every step
of the way. Our College Application Program offers personalized
guidance, mentorship, and resources to help you craft outstanding
applications to renowned universities. Don't miss out on the opportunity
to unlock your potential and open doors to prestigious institutions
like Princeton University. Visit our website at www.afexhub/kenya.com
to learn more and register for our program. Contact AFEX today at (+254)704904500 or info.kenya@afexhub.com and embark on your own journey to
academic excellence.
Comments
Post a Comment