Graduation Year: 2027

“College will play a huge role in achieving my definition of success. Not only will I be able to obtain a degree and proceed to become a surgeon after medical school, but I will also be able to achieve my parents’ version of success. As a first-generation college applicant from my family, I want to give it my all and make sure I am doing all that I can to make my family proud.”

—Lisa Patel, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ‘27