Meet Chicago Scholar Lucy Sanchez

“My parents – never for one second – didn’t believe I was going to college. Having never gone themselves, they didn’t understand how to help or all of the aspects of the application process. Chicago Scholars helped me create a well-crafted application and helped me find the college that best fit me. That college was Illinois Wesleyan University.”  – Lucy Sanchez ’17

While Lucy Sanchez was a junior at Chicago’s John F. Kennedy High School, her counselor recommended her for the Chicago Scholars Foundation, a nonprofit that helps high-performing, first-generation Chicago students navigate the college admission process. Chicago Scholars sponsors workshops on applications and financial aid, one-on-one mentoring, and networking. Dozens of colleges and universities recruit at the annual Chicago Scholars Onsite admission forum, where an Illinois Wesleyan admissions counselor requested a meeting with Sanchez.

“She helped me through every step of the process,” said Sanchez. “She made herself available to my family and me for questions, urged me to visit campus during Multicultural Weekend and ¡Tu Universidad! And she helped me apply early.”

At Illinois Wesleyan, Sanchez has thrived as an art and business administration double major. She is president of Kappa Pi honorary art fraternity and a student programmer for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and she previously served as an officer in the Spanish and Latino Student Association (SALSA).

“Illinois Wesleyan offers opportunities to become who you want to be, and to fight for what you believe in. There are some great people here who constantly support students in their fights against injustices, not only on this campus but in the world.”