Nu OriginsNew Orleans high school student Antoinette Love received 115 college acceptance letters across the nation and received more than $3.7 million in scholarships.
“I just kept applying,” Love told CNN. “I wanted to see how many I could get into.”
Love, a senior at the International High School of New Orleans, and a 3.7 GPA. She will spend the next few weeks visiting the various schools that accepted her. Louisiana State University, Valparaiso University, University of North Texas, Fisk University, Randolph University, Brandeis University and Mississippi State University are her top considerations. Love will make a final decision by May 1.
“At first I didn’t think I was going to get this many, but then they just kept coming and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh,'” Love said.
Love has an affection for art, reading and is involved in many activities at her school where she is a senior. Love belongs to the anime club, video game club, national honor society, the English honor society and Rho Kappa social studies honor society. She also works a part-time job after school selling ties, cuff links and socks at the Riverwalk.
Love said her desire was to ultimately be a teacher.
“I like influencing others to be good and be their best,” Love said.
Love is the oldest of five children and had a rough start to life. She was born six weeks prematurely to Anthony and Yolanda Love and weighed 4.4 pounds. A dog also attacked Love when she was a toddler, almost ripping off the two-year old’s face. One of Love’s siblings has cystic fibrosis. Despite their circumstances, Yolanda said that this moment was a proud one for not only their family but New Orleans.
“We have so much going on in our lives to where this is that one moment where it’s something good and something positive, not only for our family but for the city, too, to show what kind of kids New Orleans has,” Yolanda told NOLA.com.
