L.S. Waldrop/T. Evans Wyckoff Scholar
Radford, Virginia

“As a senior in high school, I chose between attending Harvard or U.Va. on the Jefferson Scholarship. Initially I viewed this purely as a financial decision. However, upon closer inspection, I realized that the Jefferson Scholars Foundation offers much more than just a free world-class education. It and the University provide tremendous opportunities for personal growth and meaningful relationships, and ultimately, I believe these factors are more rewarding than a stipend check distributed at the beginning of each semester.

“Academically, I wanted to pursue my interests in finance and history and was very attracted to the McIntire School of Commerce, the top undergraduate business school in the nation. As an Echols Scholar, I could pursue my commerce and history majors while also taking electives that interested me. I was encouraged by the breadth and depth of activities that attracted Jefferson Scholars. Based on their achievements, I knew I could pursue my extracurricular interests, which ranged from writing for the student newspaper to participating in a student-run investment fund and volunteer efforts to joining debate societies. With the scholarship covering all college expenses, I could self-finance study abroad and work experiences during the summer. Thus, the Jefferson Scholarship indirectly helped me to study in Australia and Oxford, England and taught me that often the best learning experiences take place not in the classroom, but through cultural immersion and interaction. The scholarship’s summer enrichment program in Tuscany was equally valuable as a bonding and learning experience with fellow Jefferson Scholars.

“Although the University and Foundation’s programs are very compelling, I am most impressed and influenced by the people here. I am continually amazed by the abilities and interests of my Jefferson Scholar classmates, and I am very fortunate to count several of them as my closest friends. Likewise, the University alumni and friends I met during the selection process were very passionate, and I continue to benefit from their engagement with the University and encouragement of my endeavors. The strong sense of community and alumni network are definite advantages that I will benefit from and contribute to long after I leave Charlottesville. Overall, the Jefferson Scholarship has proven to be much more than just a full scholarship, as it has also provided me with the ability to develop valuable relationships and benefit from a wealth of opportunities.”