MJ’s Ivy League Dreams

Hello! My name’s Marie but you can call me MJ.

I am so excited and fortunate enough to have been accepted into the Watsonville Ivy League Project (WILP) this year! This is such a great opportunity for me to reach my goals and go to an Ivy League school. This prestigious program helps high achieving students explore and visit Ivy League Universities so that I can apply to some of them in my senior year. While we’re visiting the Ivy League Institutions, WILP students will get to know the campuses and academic programs provided by the schools along with meeting with the Deans, learning about the admission processes, and gaining a better understanding of their campus culture. This year's group of students has already started meeting monthly on the weekends to build friendships, community, and workshop ideas for fundraisers. As time goes on, we’ll continue to grow a network of WILP alumni who give back to the Watsonville community. It’s so exciting to be in a group of such amazing, smart, and like-minded people who have similar goals as mine. We strive for excellence as high achievers and hope to make our dreams come true.

However, to participate in WILP and visit these prestigious Universities on the East Coast, I need your help to raise $3,700.

I know it’s a lot but with your help, we can make it happen.

ABOUT WILP APPLICATION PROCESS

I was one of 15 students from two high schools who were selected for this year's 2024-2025 program. Only students with at least a 3.75 GPA were recruited to apply from the 10th and 11th grade levels from Watsonville High School and Pajaro Valley High School, both of which are under resourced schools. It was a rigorous and nerve-racking process applying for this program and being admitted into WILP, which was similar to applying for college. I filled out an application, wrote personal essays, solicited a teacher recommendation, and was interviewed by a selection committee. It was difficult but worth the reward.

ABOUT WILPS SUCCESS

There have been well over 100 students who have participated in WILP in the past and 16 of them are attending or have attended Ivy League universities which is a 13.8% admit rate. In comparison, the general admit rate for any of the Ivy League schools averages about 8.6 % with ranges between 6 and 15 percent. So, being in WILP has helped past students get into a prestigious university.

ACADEMIC AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

I was led to this program by my will and need for more than just academic excellence. I have a 3.79 unweighted GPA and a 3.87 weighted GPA and have continuously displayed a knack for learning. I have been on the honor roll for the past three years of high school for having a GPA above 3.5 and 4.0. I take pride in my extracurriculars such as music. I have been playing piano for more than 8 years and guitar for about 4 years. I've had a teacher for most of the 8 years I’ve played piano but for guitar, I am self taught. I’m incredibly good at teaching myself how to play instruments and I hope to learn to play more in the future. Playing instruments has taught me to be patient and understanding.

I am also in the Video Academy class at my school where we learn the aspects of cinematography and create films with our peers. We’re given opportunities to submit our work to the Watsonville Film Festival or join the Watsonville Film Festival committee for more experience and a better understanding of the film world.

With my academic background and extracurricular activities, I’ve developed the dedication and motivation to do better and do well which will benefit my application process to Ivy League universities.

I still need your help though. Here I have the cost breakdown for how your donation will be used:

Airfare- $600

Ground Transportation- $1,400

Lodging for 7 days- $1,300

Food for 7 days- $400

Even though I've done everything I can so far in academics and extracurricular activities, participating in WILP will be the next step in helping me prepare for applying to prestigious universities. I would greatly appreciate your contribution whether it’s $1 or $5 or $20 or $50. Any amount will benefit me while in this worthwhile program. If you can’t donate, I understand completely but please spread the word and encourage others to donate.

Thank you so much,

Marie “MJ” Sanchez-Stone