Here’s a story to fill you with the warm and fuzzies. Micheal Brown, a high school student from Houston's third ward, was offered acceptance to 20 of the best colleges in the country. If that weren’t impressive enough, Brown, age 17, was offered a full ride to every single one, plus another $260,000 in scholarship offers.
As the Mirabeau B. Lamar High School senior told CNN, “It's something I'm proud of because I see my hard work paying off, determination paying off, sacrifices paying off.” Brown's academic resumé is studded with extensive involvement on the school's debate team, mock trial and student government. Brown has also volunteered on the campaign trail, having been inspired by Barack Obama’s presidential win. The A-student has only received one B in his entire academic career.
Of the 20 schools to which he was accepted, Brown's favorites include Harvard, Princeton, Northwestern, Yale, University of Pennsylvania, Stanford, Georgetown, and Vanderbilt. He plans on majoring in political science, but the academic hustler may take up a second degree in economics. If you need a good happy cry today, check out Brown as he receives his acceptance to Stanford among his friends.
Brown's mom is probably the proudest parent on the planet right now, but she's not taking any of the credit for her son's accomplishments. "After sixth grade, Mike was in control of his education," she said. "He was focused, he knew what he wanted and he made his own decisions."
Brown is aware higher education is often out of reach for people of color and people from under-privileged backgrounds, saying, "For me, it's important to highlight that I'm not the only student of color who is achieving." Brown has worked with organizations including Emerge Fellowship, Breakthrough Collective, and Questbridge, which narrow the gap between higher education and low-income students, and he's using this moment to inspire others to do the same.
"I want people to be informed and get access to these same programs," he said. Whichever university is lucky enough to enroll Micheal Brown, they'll have to wait until May 1, when he makes his decision.
