A Florida teen has been accepted to all eight Ivy League colleges and seven other American universities in the country.
After receiving openings at Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Pennsylvania, Princeton and Yale, Ashley Adirika has decided on Harvard University and plans to major in government this upcoming fall.
Adrikia, 17, recalls the day all of her family members surrounded her as she opened up all eight acceptance letters from–Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Penn, Princeton, and Yale.
“I just decided to shoot my shot at all of them and see if it would land. And I had no idea that I would get accepted into all of them,” Adrikia said. “On Ivy Day, I remember crying a lot and just being extremely surprised.”
The Miami Beach Senior High School graduate is a part of a unique group of Ivy League applicants that are accepted. In the last four years, less than 12% of applicants have been accepted into the Ivy League schools of their choice. In 2022, Yale has taken 4.5%, Columbia 3.7%, and Harvard 3.2%, which includes Adrikia.
View this post on Instagram
Adrikia, a first-generation Nigerian-American, shared the news of her acceptance on her Instagram account and earned over $4 million worth of scholarship offers.
“Never stop dreaming. I’m beyond blessed and grateful to have been accepted to some of the most prestigious universities in the world with over $4 million worth of scholarship offers,” Adrikia said. “I’m also extremely appreciative of every individual who has poured into me throughout my journey: family, educators, friends, mentors, coaches —- you all have had a profound impact on me. To every underrepresented person fighting to thrive in spaces that weren’t designed for us—- keep applying pressure, keep shaking the room, keep making your own table.”
View this post on Instagram
The 17-year-old was also accepted to seven other top-rated schools, including Stanford, Vanderbilt, and Emory. However, she ultimately chose Harvard University, despite Yale being her top choice. Adrikia said she chose Harvard because it offers a better program that will allow her to study policies on alleviating income disparities.
“Before the college application process, Yale was actually my top choice. But when I did further research for what I want to do specifically,” Adrikia said. “which is explorations in policy and social policy and things of that nature, Harvard just had a better program.”
View this post on Instagram
Adrikia gave a speech at her high school graduation before the students received their diplomas. Wearing a sash with the words “Black Girl Magic,” she highlighted the importance of preparation, punctuality, and finding light even in dark times.
She prepares to report to her new home in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in August, as she plans to major in government this fall.
