Two Vanguard Academy seniors are among the 5,613 scholars nationwide to be selected as a
QuestBridge National College Match Finalists and Scholar.
Rembrandt Secondary seniors, Carlos Mendoza and Danyela Mendoza earned a full four-year
scholarship valued at more than $200,000. The generous financial aid package covers the full cost of attendance including tuition, room and board, books, supplies and travel expenses.
Carlos, who ranked 10 schools—Stanford, Rice, Columbia, Duke, Princeton, Brown, Yale, UPenn, Vanderbilt, and Norte Dame—plans to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering and continue his education with a master’s in accounting.
“The application gives you the opportunity to express yourself and tell your story, incorporating your
culture, family, and community,” Carlos said. “It is exciting to be a Stanford QuestBridge scholar and I feel like so many doors will open for me as a result.”
Danyela, also a Stanford QuestBridge Scholar, agrees with her brother, Carlos.
“QuestBridge allowed me to tell my story and showcase who I am,” she said. “As a first-generation
low-income student, this scholarship ensured that my background and socioeconomic status was understood by admission officers.”
Danyela feels that going into a prestigious university like Stanford was a “far fetch dream.”
QuestBridge National College Match Finalists and Scholar.
Rembrandt Secondary seniors, Carlos Mendoza and Danyela Mendoza earned a full four-year
scholarship valued at more than $200,000. The generous financial aid package covers the full cost of attendance including tuition, room and board, books, supplies and travel expenses.
Carlos, who ranked 10 schools—Stanford, Rice, Columbia, Duke, Princeton, Brown, Yale, UPenn, Vanderbilt, and Norte Dame—plans to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering and continue his education with a master’s in accounting.
“The application gives you the opportunity to express yourself and tell your story, incorporating your
culture, family, and community,” Carlos said. “It is exciting to be a Stanford QuestBridge scholar and I feel like so many doors will open for me as a result.”
Danyela, also a Stanford QuestBridge Scholar, agrees with her brother, Carlos.
“QuestBridge allowed me to tell my story and showcase who I am,” she said. “As a first-generation
low-income student, this scholarship ensured that my background and socioeconomic status was understood by admission officers.”
Danyela feels that going into a prestigious university like Stanford was a “far fetch dream.”
“I was worried that I would not be able to afford a four-year degree and that our income would become a barrier in pursuing my educational goals. This is not the case now—I told my story, I work hard, and it was all worth it.”
Danyela plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Bioengineering followed by a master’s in Engineering.
Both Carlos and Danyela graduated in December from South Texas College with an associate's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.
Danyela plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Bioengineering followed by a master’s in Engineering.
Both Carlos and Danyela graduated in December from South Texas College with an associate's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.