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Gateway High School Student Awarded a Record $389,000 College Scholarship
Gateway High School senior Simpson Lin has always wanted to attend Duke University. The dream started with photos of his mother and grandmother visiting the campus for a tour and grew stronger as he learned more about the university and what it offered. He’s now headed to Duke in the fall thanks to the largest known scholarship ever in the School District of Lee County.
“When I saw the acceptance and thus the full ride that came with it, every cell in my body was filled with adrenaline,” Simpson said. “It was a surreal moment and while I processed everything I just stood there holding my phone and staring blankly at it continuously reading the sentence that announced my acceptance. I was completely overwhelmed and if my friend hadn't been there to share the excitement, I probably would've passed out.”
Simpson is the recipient of a Questbridge Scholarship worth an estimated $389,000. The financial aid package covers the full cost of attendance, including tuition, housing and food, books and supplies, and travel expenses. The QuestBridge National College Match Program connects high-achieving high school seniors from low-income backgrounds with full four-year scholarships to 52 of the nation’s top colleges.
"We are delighted to welcome a record-breaking number of QuestBridge Scholars,” said Ana Rowena Mallari, Co-Founder and CEO of QuestBridge. “These Scholars will contribute a rich diversity of perspectives and experiences to our college partners, enhancing the vibrancy of their campus communities."
Simpson is considering a Biology and Medical Sociology Major, with a Minor in Psychology. His goal is a career that connects the medical and psychology fields to benefit society. Simpson is even thinking of creating a small business or start up on the side. He will be the first in his family to go to college.
“Never once had my parents doubted their choice of sending me to school and they were even willing to go into debt for me to receive the chance of a world class education” Simpson said. “Being offered this full ride is life changing, and I would even say it’s generational. It allows me to be a pivotal point of change for my entire family lineage and no words can describe how thankful I am to God and Duke for this opportunity. They have given me a chance to change the course of fate for my family and our future generations and for that I’m forever grateful.”
To prepare for Duke, Simpson earned his Cambridge/AICE Diploma in just his first two years of high school. Then he dual-enrolled at Florida Gulf Coast University as part of Gateway High School’s Collegiate Academy. He says it started as a challenge to see how much he could achieve and then turned into a commitment.
“The Medical Academy at Gateway has been an indispensable part of my academic identity,” Simpson added. “It was the course that gave me a career direction, and the course that I have stuck with even after the switch from Cambridge to FGCU. No matter what year or what part of my High School career we look at, the Medical Academy has always been there to support me.”