It’s one of our favorite times of the year: early admission season!
Our Class of 2025 STEP scholars have worked tirelessly—balancing AP and honors courses, leadership roles, volunteering, and the college application process—all while dreaming of this very moment.
Now, after months of writing essays, submitting applications, and waiting anxiously for decisions, those dreams are turning into reality.
Early admission decisions have started rolling in, and we are thrilled to celebrate some of our scholars' exciting news.
Monserrath A.
Tolleson Union High School → Barnard College
"When I opened my admission letter, I was ecstatic and overwhelmed with gratitude and joy. Seeing the blue balloons when I logged into the Barnard portal was surreal."
Monserrath didn’t always think she would be able to attend a school like Barnard. "Before STEP, I didn’t have anyone to go to when I needed help with college research or applications. Being a first-generation Mexican American, I will be the first to graduate high school and go to college. Because of this, I didn’t have anyone to guide me in the process or provide me with advice. STEP gave me the resources and support I needed to make it possible."
Daniel H.
Maryvale High School → Stanford University
"I felt absolutely honored and blessed to be matched with Stanford for QuestBridge. It was one of the happiest moments of my life."
Daniel reflects on how STEP played a critical role in helping him prepare his application. "STEP helped me learn about the QuestBridge scholarship, and through their resources and workshops, I was able to better prepare myself for the essays and written responses. If it wasn’t for STEP’s guidance throughout high school, I may have never made it to the best applicant possible to be accepted into Stanford."
Julianna R.
Trevor G. Browne High School → Washington University in St. Louis
"When I read the news that I had been accepted to WashU, I was overwhelmed with disbelief and excitement. The idea of becoming a part of WashU’s vibrant academic community was a dream come true."
STEP helped Julianna see that her dream of attending an out-of-state university was within reach. "Before STEP, I knew little about the college application process, but they guided me every step of the way. Through their workshops, they provided invaluable support in making this dream a reality. From financial aid workshops to information on fly-in programs, the Alaska expedition, and the ropes course, each experience helped me gain the confidence and knowledge to pursue higher education."
Allison N.
Bioscience High School → Boston University
"When I saw the word ‘Congratulations!’ I felt a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I was overjoyed knowing I could finally get one step closer to my goals and dreams. As a first-generation college student, I am beyond happy for this opportunity to learn, grow, and gain new experiences."
Allison credits STEP for helping her navigate the application process with confidence. "I will forever be grateful for STEP. Without their support, I wouldn’t have discovered the path to succeeding in high school or making my college application journey a lot easier. STEP guided me through the different steps to reach my goals while opening doors to opportunities I once thought were beyond my reach."
Desiree M.
University High School (Tucson) → Washington University in St. Louis
"After opening my acceptance letter, I was filled with relief and excitement. I read the words ‘We’re thrilled to welcome you’ and knew this was just the beginning."
Desiree credits STEP for playing a "major role" in her admissions journey. "From encouraging us to take the hardest classes to checking and double-checking our college essays, the advisors were amazingly supportive and went beyond their way to help. STEP helped me learn about different educational opportunities that I had never heard of. They were there through the whole process, and I’m forever grateful."
A Bright Future Ahead
These are just a few of the incredible early acceptances for the STEP Class of 2025. Each scholar’s story is a testament to hard work, resilience, and the power of opportunity. We are beyond proud of our students for reaching this milestone, and we know this is only the beginning of the bright futures ahead.
To all STEP scholars still waiting for decisions—keep believing in yourselves. Your hard work will pay off, and your moment is coming soon!
Want to support more students on their journey to higher education? Learn more how you can get involved.