Including living expenses, the College Board estimated that students will pay $25,890 a year for in-state students at a four-year public college, $41,950 for out-of-state students at a four-year public college and $52,500 for a private non-profit four-year college. However, students can receive scholarships that can significantly reduce these costs. One senior at the school, Qiaojing Huang, won the Amazon scholarship this year.
“It was special this year because Amazon invited us to a conference at the second headquarters here in Arlington [for the people] from the DMV area,” Huang said. “All they said was that it was a conference for STEM students. Then, after the opening speech, we had an envelope of our so-called schedule that had the certificate! It was such a surprise!”
To be eligible for the scholarship, you must be a current senior pursuing a degree in computer science or engineering in college. Huang knows she wants to study computer science or engineering because she loves the problem-solving aspect and similar courses. She applied as a computer science major but is not 100% sure which major she will have. You also must have taken related courses with a 2.3 GPA or above, be work-eligible in the United States (U.S.) for at least two years, and demonstrate financial need. According to her, the actual process was simple.
“I had to fill out an online application form, which required information about my academic background, intended college major, and proof of financial need, as usual,” Huang said. “There were a few short responses that I had to answer regarding future goals and my past experiences.”
Huang has now received this competitive scholarship after the application process, but it was not always so easy for her.
“Given my conditions over the past two years, I was out of class so much due to illnesses and injuries,” Huang said. “It’s unbelievable how many muscle injuries and infections I’ve had, in addition to being diagnosed with conditions like migraine and ADHD. The time spent seeking medical care and recovering has really impacted my academic performance. My family’s unique situation [with not speaking English] also has further complicated matters, delaying my access to the support in school when I needed it. “
She moved with her family to the U.S. in 2016, during 5th grade, from Fujian, China.
“It was a challenging time, particularly for my family and me, as none of us spoke English,” Huang said. “I was in ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) or HILT (High-Intensity Language Training) for a while, starting with very basic learning in 5th grade, transitioning to more structured classes at [a higher level] in middle school. Then, I finally attended regular English literature classes after summer school in 7th grade.”
However, she is even a full International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma candidate. Her extended essay (EE) was related to computer science and could have influenced the Amazon scholarship.
“My computer science EE focused on the topic of Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) in facial classification, where I explored how different configurations of LDA’s hyperparameters affect its accuracy in distinguishing human faces from non-face images,” Huang said. “This involved analysis using machine learning optimization algorithms like GridSearchCV and Bayesian Optimization to find the optimal settings and comparison between these algorithms.”
The scholarship offers up to $40,000, which is $10,000 per year for college. The amount is determined by financial circumstances. Importantly, it also includes a summer internship at Amazon.
“For juniors looking for scholarships, I would say it’s helpful to start your search early to maximize your options,” Huang said. “Focus on what makes you unique when crafting your applications—this can really help you stand out. Also, keep an eye on the emails our school counselor sends out, which has plenty of helpful information and opportunities.”
She has enjoyed her time at the school and the opportunities it has brought her. Her favorite classes have been chemistry, economics, physics and physical education (PE).
“I would say it’s the everyday school life that first comes to mind [as my favorite moments],” Huang said. “It’s the simple joys, nothing huge or unique. My favorite moments are found in times spent chilling and playing around during PE and in after-school clubs, studying with friends in the counseling hall, or engaging in class discussions on topics I like.”
