In early September, UCA senior Elaine Jackson received a shocking email. It came from Drake University, one of Iowa’s top-ranked colleges. Drake was offering Elaine a $116,000 scholarship over the course of four years.
“I was so shocked. It was really big because I didn’t even apply,” she said.
Elaine had only sent her transcript to Drake on the advice of a scholarship advisor at Niche.com, a website that connects students to colleges that might be a good fit for them. Elaine has since applied to Drake, and is hoping to add an acceptance letter from the school to the many she’s already received.
As of this writing, Elaine has also been offered $64,000 from Bethel University, $50,000 from Eastern Nazarene College, $88,000 from Illinois College, $64,000 from Spring Arbor University, and $5,800 from Emporia State University. She’s also been accepted to Aurora University, and hopes to hear more good news from other colleges as the fall continues.
“It will be a hard decision to make because I want to go to school close to home, but when I’m offered all of these amazing opportunities, I’m like, ‘Wow, what do I do?’” Elaine said.
She recently discovered that she wants to pursue a career in the medical field.
Since her freshman year, Elaine has worked at a summer day camp offered by the American Association of Single Parents. “I see all the kids that are learning and are strong, but some of them also have sicknesses,” she said.
One day this summer, her boss offered her the opportunity to come to a health-focused local shelter. “It was really life-changing for me.” Elaine said.
Currently, the senior is hoping to become a pediatric surgeon or a cardiologist. Until then, she’s staying busy in the halls of UCA.
Vice President of Student Government, Elaine is also a captain on the Mock Trial team, the president of the Yearbook Committee, a member of the Creative Writing Club, and she helps prepare and serve food during UCA’s lunch period.
Reflecting on her years at UCA, she said, “I knew when I was younger, I could do so much more than what I was doing. I felt like I wanted to, but I didn’t have the opportunity to. When I got to UCA, I had free will and opportunities to voice my opinion and explore new things. That really got me out of my shell and made me want to lead others the right way.”
Regardless of where she goes to college, Elaine has committed herself to helping her parents when they need it, even if it's support from afar.