“My parents paid for my twin sister’s college and refused to pay for mine. My father said she was worth the investment and I wasn’t.”
For the first time, Professor Bell looked angry.
“He used those words?”
I nodded.
He opened a drawer and pulled out a thick folder.
“Have you heard of the Hawthorne Fellowship?”
“Yes,” I said. “It’s impossible.”
“That is not an academic assessment.”
“They choose twenty students nationwide.”
“Yes.”
“I don’t have that kind of résumé.”
“You have the record.”
“I work too much to apply.”
“That is exactly why you should.”
He pushed the folder toward me.
“Hawthorne supports students who show exceptional academic promise under serious constraints. Full tuition. Living stipend. Mentorship. Research placement. Partner-university opportunities. I want you to apply.”
I want you to apply.
No one had said anything about my future with that kind of certainty.
