Shadow Ridge High School senior Sabrina Mason has achieved something truly remarkable: she has earned a full-ride scholarship to Dartmouth College, one of the prestigious Ivy League universities. The moment she received the news is one she will never forget. After opening her admission decision, she was met with confetti across her screen and a bold “Congratulations.” 

“I was completely and utterly shocked but also relieved,” Mason said. “I just sat there for a moment before I even said anything. Knowing I don’t have to worry about the financial side or wait months for other decisions was such a huge relief.”

For Mason, the scholarship brought not only excitement but also relief. It means she no longer has to stress about the rest of the college application process, wait for more decisions, or worry about how college will be paid for. The financial part had been a huge

concern, so knowing she is fully supported is a major comfort.

Mason believes that what helped her stand out in the application process was staying true to her interests. While many students applying to top schools want to study STEM, law, or politics, Mason followed her love for the social sciences and humanities. She plans to major in anthropology and minor in German at Dartmouth. Her essays strengthened her application as well. She wrote about her dedication to learning German through Duolingo, her personal genealogy interests, the way her bedroom reflects who she is, and a summer program she attended at the Mob Museum.

Although Columbia had been her very top choice at one point, Dartmouth was still one of her dream schools, and she is incredibly excited to attend. The journey to get there, however, was not easy. The hardest part was the finalist period, when she had only 11 days to write more than 20 essays for 12 different schools. Instead of giving up or cutting down her list, she stayed disciplined, created a schedule, and used every extra moment she had to work even during car rides or breaks between school activities.

Mason says limiting social media time is important, even though it can be difficult. Cutting back helped her stay focused and gave her

more time for school, clubs, and hobbies. She also recommends using small bits of free time to review class material or get slightly ahead, even if it is just watching a short video or reading a few pages.

Through hard work, time management, and staying true to herself, Mason has earned an amazing opportunity. Shadow Ridge is extremely proud of her accomplishment and excited to see what she will do next.