Nicole Zuno Secures Gates Scholarship, Achieves Dream of Harvard Admission
Born to immigrant parents facing financial uncertainties, Nicole's journey to Harvard seemed improbable. However, her dedication and academic prowess earned her acceptance to multiple universities, and the Gates Foundation scholarship further solidified her dream of attending college.
AKACHI NOEL 
Nicole Zuno, an exceptional young lady from Moreno Valley, is poised to make history as the first graduate in her family after winning the prestigious Gates scholarship to study at Harvard University. Nicole, a recent graduate from Valley View High School, was not only accepted to Harvard but received offers from 16 other renowned universities, including Dartmouth, Cornell, Princeton, and Brown.
Born to immigrant parents facing financial uncertainties, Nicole's journey to Harvard seemed improbable. However, her dedication and academic prowess earned her acceptance to multiple universities, and the Gates Foundation scholarship further solidified her dream of attending college.
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Nicole expressed her elation, especially about the Gates Foundation scholarship, revealing that she had never considered college due to financial constraints. "I am a first-generation college student, so for me, it was like this big deal," she shared. Nicole emphasized her excitement about attending Harvard, making her the first in her family to attend such a prestigious university.
Nicole's achievement extends beyond Harvard; she is one of only 300 students nationwide to receive full funding from The Gates Scholarship, courtesy of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This highly selective scholarship supports outstanding minority high school seniors from low-income households.
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Nicole intends to pursue studies in human development, inspired by her younger sister's disability. She aspires to become a researcher, focusing on genetic disorders and contributing to the understanding of various diseases.
For those facing financial struggles, Nicole offered encouraging advice: "If you are out there and you want to apply for school or maybe you think you can't afford to go to college, definitely go for it. I think there's a lot of opportunities financially to go to college."
