Santa Maria High School senior Abraham Carrillo-Galindo has been awarded a full scholarship to Brown University after being selected as one of 2,000 students nationwide to be matched with a QuestBridge partner school.
QuestBridge is a national organisation that matches high-achieving, low-income students with 50 partner colleges that offer full scholarships.
“I am extremely grateful to have learned about this opportunity and to have been matched with one of the top Ivy League universities,” said Carrillo-Galindo.
The private Ivy League research university is located in Providence, Rhode Island.
Brown University has an acceptance rate of 6% and an annual cost of attendance of over $65,000 per year.
Carrillo-Galindo has maintained a 4.4+ GPA while being involved in a number of organisations on campus, including the Early Academic Outreach Program, Future Business Leaders of America, SMHS Marching Band and Upward Bound.
He is the first in his family to attend college and plans to major in International Relations and Global Affairs at Brown.
Carrillo-Galindo goes above and beyond, according to Cecilia Grimaldo, senior counsellor at Santa Maria High School.
“His academic performance and involvement on and off campus are exceptional. Unlike other students who focus on one area, he does it all while maintaining exceptional grades and excelling in his leadership roles,” Grimaldo said.
Nancy Pacheco, SMHS EAOP advisor, called Carrillo-Galindo a “change-maker”.
“I can’t wait to hear about the great things he will accomplish at Brown University, and I know his parents are very proud of him,” she said.
The Early Academic Outreach Program at Santa Maria High and other district campuses focuses on creating a community of young scholars and providing counseling and educational opportunities to prepare students for college.
