18-year-old Daya Brown Secures $1.5M Scholarships, Admitted to 50 US Universities

In a remarkable achievement, 18-year-old Daya Brown from Atlanta has earned admission into more than 50 top universities in the United States, accompanied by a staggering $1.5 million in scholarship awards. The Westlake High School graduate shared her journey of meticulous planning and dedication to secure multiple options for her higher education.

Daya Brown emphasized that her goal was not merely to accumulate acceptances but to alleviate the financial burden on her parents by minimizing the need for student loans. "It really wasn’t about the number of schools I applied to; it was really about making sure that I had options for my parents to really sit back and relax. Student loans are something that I do not want. So this is kind of a gift, both to myself and to them," she explained.

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Starting her application process during quarantine in her sophomore year, Brown carefully curated a list of schools aligning with her interests in mass communications or film. She strategically engaged in extracurricular activities to showcase her multifaceted personality, aiming to demonstrate that academic excellence and a vibrant personality can coexist.

Reflecting on her journey, Daya Brown acknowledged the challenges but highlighted the passion that made the effort worthwhile. She expressed joy in waking up every day to pursue her passion and emphasized the importance of balancing academic rigor with personal fulfillment.

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Out of the plethora of choices, including renowned institutions like Duke, Spelman, FAMU, and Hampton, Daya Brown has chosen to pursue visual media studies with a minor in journalism at Duke University. Her commitment to overcoming obstacles and actively seeking financial aid underscores the dedication that led to her extraordinary success.

"No, it wasn’t easy. Yes, you have to stay up many nights to get the work done if you want the GPA, but at the same time, it wouldn’t feel like such a burden if it’s your passion. I wake up every day, happy about what I do," she shared.

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Daya Brown's achievement serves as an inspiration, showcasing the possibilities that dedication, strategic planning, and a passion for learning can unlock for aspiring scholars.