At Scholarship Junkies, we don't want to just share our scholarship secrets with you. We want to share examples of our scholarship secrets paying off too. Through our Scholarship Junkies profiles, you'll be inspired by stories of Scholarship Junkies pursuing their dreams, and you'll hear diverse perspectives on how to approach the scholarship application process successfully.

What are Scholarship Junkies?

Individuals that set out to achieve goals that are extraordinary but also necessary.

I remember when I first discovered such a thing as the Gates Millennium Scholars Program. It was probably during eight-grade year. I made a mental note to not forget it. I revisited that idea during my junior year in high school. I knew that if I wanted to earn this scholarship, I would need to face the 22-page, 9-essay, 2-recommendation long process. I began thinking about my responses during the summer prior to senior year. I also utilized Google Calendar to create a schedule for myself to have internal deadlines leading up to the external deadline.

When it came down to choosing where I would spend the next four years of my academic life, I took everything into consideration with the exception of cost and my heart was set on Columbia University. The multidisciplinary engineering curriculum, diverse campus population, and vibrant city of New York all matched what I sought after in an undergraduate experience where I anticipated great growth in my knowledge, leadership, and service. I also noticed a growth in my faith in God, remembering how five years ago my current reality could have easily been a dream of little expectancy.

Today, I am a sophomore studying Applied Mathematics. Earning the Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship presented opportunities for me to learn more about computer science at Google offices in Mountain View and NYC. Despite my socioeconomic circumstances, I was blessed with a wonderful mother, siblings, and mentors from school and external programs who have believed in my potential. I never feel comfortable with my accomplishments until I have done my best to help others achieve their own goals.

To me, being selected for a scholarship is more than just the money, but about the network of amazing people who share your passions.

So, who can be a part of the Scholarship Junkies cohort?

You! Do not be afraid of your potential to really help others to see the importance of investing in you. Use what makes you different as one of your strongest assets.

Victoria Nneji is a current second-year student at Columbia University, studying applied physics and applied mathematics. Victoria is also the Co-Founder & CEO of The Digital STEM, a nonprofit helping to close the digital gap for underprivileged youth, raising graduation rates, and increasing diversity in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce.