‘There are people there to help you’

By Raquel Ruvalcaba, a senior at Marian High School in South Bend, Indiana

July 11, 2015
I hope to gain new information on how to be a better, smarter, and more efficient college student, as well as learn what I need to do in order to be a successful college student. I would also like to gain information on how to build a better sense of my personal identity so that as I transition from high school to college I do not lose myself and lose sight of who I really am. Understanding who I am will help me grow as an individual, by allowing me to broaden my horizons to other people and new ideas, so that going off to college will not be such a tremendous culture shock. I will be prepared to live and function independently. I believe this experience will help me grow as a scholar by helping me prove to myself that all of my goals are attainable as long as I work hard and keep my eyes on the prize. The Balfour Pre-College Academy will teach me new and more efficient ways to use campus and program resources to find scholarships. Hopefully, I will not need to take out any loans, and I can be as prepared for college as possible.

July 19, 2015
While at the Balfour Pre-College Academy, I learned that I could function and live alone without having to totally depend on someone. I had always been told that college is big and scary, and for some it might actually appear this way because if you are like me, then you may have never been away from home. I was terrified at first because I had never been away from home but everyone was so nice, friendly, and funny. This entire experience at Balfour was amazing! I actually really enjoyed this experience. What I learned about higher education is that you have to work hard for what you want and that you cannot do it all alone, and you do not have to, because there are people there to help you, including the professors and administrators. I plan on using all of this information as I make my transition from high school to college.

‘I’ve learned so much about myself’

By Bryce Gentry is a senior at Junipero Serra High School in Carson, California.

July 8, 2015
Growing up, I was afraid of losing. I’m still afraid of losing. I hate wasting my time and being laughed at. I hate being beaten in NBA 2K15 by 50 points. This fear has held me back from so much in my life, including meeting new people, trying things new, and at one point, talking. I used to have a slight stutter in middle school that I’m just now getting over. Being afraid and putting down life is about as pointless as it is expected by adults from teenagers my life. It’s almost as if we as teenagers negatively warp perspectives like how regular horror films make the monster or villain look bad. I want more people, including myself, to look at opportunities like the Indiana trip like how the audience watches found footage films: through a new perspective. I want to look at the good side of the hero and the villain.

July 19, 2015
I’ve learned so much and met so many people from the Balfour Scholars program. I wish that most of the people I met lived in California so we could hang out. I’ve learned so much about myself, what I’m capable of and what I need to work on. One of my biggest problems I’ve had in my easy, suburban life has been my stuttering. It first became prevalent enough for people to laugh at in the 6th or 7th grade, I think. I’ve been called everything from Mush Mouth to Doodle Bob. People would purposely interrupt me when I spoke just so I could trip up on words because they knew I wouldn’t keep up with the pace of the conversation without being stuck on or skipping one word or two. In middle school, the classrooms felt like nightmares, which prevented me from talking out loud or leading conversations that I knew I had full knowledge of. Throughout the last couple of years, I’ve been blessed to overcome some of my insecurities with my speech and articulation. Meeting people at Balfour encouraged me to push myself to speak more during the many open conversations that took place and to ask questions if I wasn’t sure about things.

I’ve also learned that there are many people willing to participate in my success and that I should be open in taking them in. When my flight home from Indiana was cancelled, Dr. Christina Wright Fields, the director of the Balfour program, set up hotel accommodations for my friend and me and even bought us snacks for the stay overnight. I am extremely grateful and blessed that she went out of her way to ensure our wellbeing and to make our flight home possible.

'I felt like I was a college student'

By Mansi Pandya, a senior at Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis, IN.

July 10, 2015

I chose to be part of the Balfour Pre-College Academy to become more familiar with the idea of a college education. It takes more than one-day campus visits to understand college or to even get the college feel. Because the Balfour Program spans the course of one week, I hope to leave the program with more than just facts and figures. I want to experience a sense of community and see how it feels to be a part of a family of more than 40,000 individuals. I want to get to know the staff and faculty on a personal level to get a sense of whether they are student-focused. Throughout the week, I hope to get an inside look into the university and everything it has to offer. Despite its external beauty, I want to see if the same aesthetics are present within the university’s internal system. After my weeklong stay at a university, I believe I will be able to make more informed college decisions and support my choices with more than just statistics. In this sense, I feel as if I will be able to think critically during my senior year of high school and commit the next four years of my life to a university that is the right fit for me. As a scholar, the Balfour Academy will push me to become a competitive candidate for scholarships and admission to colleges. In the end, I hope that the extended campus visit not only makes me more knowledgeable, but also introduces me to the mindset of a successful college student.

July 19, 2015
After my experience at the Balfour College Program, I am excited to start college. Even though the program only lasted a week, I felt like I was a college student. My roommate was randomly assigned, I had to budget my meal plan, and I navigated through the campus to get to my classes on time. The counselors, students, and guest speakers were some of the most genuine individuals I have ever encountered. They allowed us to explore our curiosity without the fear of doing or saying something wrong. With this in mind, I learned a lot about myself and how I want my future to unfold. As a mostly reserved individual, this program inspired me to get out of my comfort zone. I am leaving the program with so many meaningful relationships and friendships that will last a lifetime. We were able to talk face-to-face with the director of admissions, scholarships, and financial aid. Career counselors were more than happy to provide resources for us to make informed career choices. We were forced to think critically, and open our minds to the diverse world around us and consider our global community. This program gave Indiana University a personality that I would never have been able to realize on my own. It is more than just a summer program; the Balfour Scholars Program is a support system of individuals who genuinely want students to succeed in their pursuit of happiness.

‘A life-changing experience’

By Aileen Castro, a senior at South Side High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

July 9, 2015

As the time approaches to attend the Balfour Pre-College Academy, I am very eager to learn many new things about college and furthering my education. I want to make this an unforgettable experience that will help me grow as a scholar, and mold me to be the person I hope to be in the future. I also hope to meet other students who strive for the best in their academic success, and have the same goals as me. Being a first-generation college student, I have many unanswered questions. My parents did not have an opportunity to go to college, so I cannot ask them for advice or the answers to my questions. With this program, I hope to acquire the information and support I need to lead me in the right direction. I believe this opportunity will help me grow as an individual by helping me get to know myself better, which will be beneficial as I choose a career. It will also help me grow as a scholar as I become more familiarized with college and the whole process. With this experience, I will be one step closer to making the best out of my future.

July 18, 2015
The Balfour Pre-College Academy was a life-changing experience that I will keep with me forever. Not only did it help me meet great new people, it also helped me learn more about college. Everything I learned this past week will help me through my college process and growth as a student, from learning how to fill out the FASFA, how to choose the right career and how to make connections. This pre-college academy has opened my eyes in indescribable ways. Every person I met inspired me to pursue my dream of going to college and never give up. Each story I heard I could relate to in some way, and it motivated me to keep on trying to reach my goals. This experience helped me feel more confident about the idea of going off to college. In just these few past days, I believe I have grown as a scholar. One thing I will not forget is the advice the professors and counselors gave us, and how they showed each scholar they wanted the best for us. Their help has made picking the right career choice easier. The Balfour Pre-College Academy is not just a program; it is a support group for many of us students. I would recommend this program to anyone.