Prep for Prep | Prep Alumni Stories

How did you learn about Prep for Prep?

From one of the teachers at my public school in fifth grade.

What is your fondest memory of your time in the Preparatory Component?

At the end of the 14 months, we went to a kind of sleep away camp for the weekend. It might have been the first trip I went on without my family and was definitely the first time I got to socialize so much.

For many, the Preparatory Component is the first time students are around peers who are equally smart and passionate learners. What was that experience like for you?

I struggled initially and felt like I wasn’t as strong as the others, but by the end I was proud to see that my grades improved. This has always stuck with me since, that being gifted isn’t enough. If you want to succeed, you also have to work hard.

Who had the greatest impact on your Prep for Prep journey?

My fifth grade teacher, who knew I would be a good fit and made sure to call my mother when I “forgot” to give her the letter I’d been sent home with.

What do you do professionally and how has your Prep experience influenced your approach to your work and your career?

I’m a lawyer living overseas and don’t think any of this would have been possible without all the doors Prep opened for me in high school, college, and beyond.

What is your biggest takeaway from your Prep for Prep experience?

The hardest I’ve ever had to work in my life was at 10 years old, making the jump from public school to the first weeks in the Preparatory Component. That experience so early in life has helped me persevere through everything else since.

What advice would you give to students who are considering applying for Prep for Prep? What would you tell the adults in their life?

For students, don’t stress out too much. Things in life work out one way or another and you will do many great things in life. For adults, please do what you can to help [your child] focus and make sure they have the structure they need to thrive.