Minh-Thu Ho’ 13 first came to Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» in 2005 as a high school student participant of Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Academy (SCA). The experience, according to Ho, guided her to a major in the sciences, brought her back to Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»as an undergrad, and changed her life for the better.
“SCA opened my eyes to women’s empowerment,” she says. “It pushed me to consider and pursue a career in engineering.”
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Academy is the free college-preparatory program offered by Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» for female high school students who are the first in their families to attend college. Knowing Ho’s aptitude for math, SCA mentors suggested she enroll in a “3-2 program,” giving her the chance to attend a liberal arts college for three years before going on to Columbia University to study civil engineering for two more years. Ho agreed, and chose Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»as the first leg of her journey.
During the course of her studies, Ho chose to study abroad in Scotland her sophomore year and take part in the University of Edinburgh’s civil engineering course. Her academic work at Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»and abroad helped her determine the 3-2 engineering program was the right fit.
“It turned out I loved Scotland, studying abroad, and the course,” Ho says. “When I came back, I decided to pursue the 3-2 program.”
As a result, Ho graduated this spring with two bachelor’s degrees: one from Columbia University and one from Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³». This fall, she is pursuing a master’s degree in civil engineering at the University of California, Irvine, where she also received a research fellowship covering her tuition and living expenses.
Ho is quick to credit Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Academy for her academic success.
“SCA shaped my college choices in a wonderful way,” she says. “I am very thankful for the opportunity to participate in SCA and to have attended Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³». My life has been an amazing journey!”