3 MSA students accepted into top universities

Three students in the Mathematics and Science Academy high school program at UTRGV have been accepted into Ivy League and private universities.

The Mathematics and Science Academy (MSA) is a program that strives to enhance high school students’ talents in mathematics and science and exceed their limits.

“We are very fortunate to have the academy at UTRGV,” said Wilma Smetter, principal of the Mathematics and Science Academy. “We have graduated over 500 kids in our program. They all have gone to continue with their degrees. … We have students who have gone to be lawyers and doctors and just successful people in their communities.”

With the support of university staff and UTRGV President Guy Bailey, three students at MSA received full-ride scholarships for the four years of their academic life.

Juan Manuel Treviño, 17, is a senior and said  his experience with MSA has been amazing as he was able to challenge himself and always received the resources he needed.

Juan Manuel was accepted into Columbia University in New York, where he plans to study computer engineering next spring. His goal for the future is to lead a research team within a company. Columbia is among the eight Ivy League schools.

“I was actually in physics class and I opened up the form that said where I was going to go next year,” he said. “I was really excited. I stepped out of the classroom and called my mom. … It was, honestly, a really nice moment.”

Romeo Garcia Jr., 18, also a senior, was admitted into Stanford University in California. Romeo described the MSA program as a life-changing experience, and he is thankful for the people he has met in the institution.

Romeo plans to attend Stanford next fall semester and will study biomechanical engineering. Even though he is aware of the importance of education, He advises high school students to focus on self-growth.

“I just want to let [high school students] know that it is not impossible,” Romeo said. “It doesn’t really matter what college you get into. You need to define yourself. The school doesn’t define you. You don’t want to strive to get into college, you want to strive to become the best person you can be.”

Senior Ian Guajardo, 17, was accepted into the University of Notre Dame in Indiana.

The acceptance rate at Notre Dame is low. According to the university’s admissions page, 3,515 students were accepted out of 22,199 applications received for 2019.

Ian plans to attend Notre Dame next spring to study mechanical engineering, but he is also considering studying aerospace engineering.

“I was super excited,” he said about getting the letter of acceptance. “I opened it and I freaked out. It’s awesome. Notre Dame is a really good university. … It’s super exciting.”