Texan golf standout with Nigerian roots

college acceptance samantha smith
  • Name: Samantha Smith
  • Schools accepted to: Princeton, Penn, Northwestern, Washington University in Saint Louis, Georgetown, Bucknell, University of Richmond, University of Pittsburgh, UT Austin, Baylor
  • Hometown: Bellaire, Texas by way of Lagos, Nigeria

Background: "I grew up in Lagos and moved to Texas when I was in kindergarten. I wrote one of my college essays about my experiences in Lagos and coming to America. I wrote about going onto the bus and having a guy with an AK-47 on there with us. And I remember when I came to the U.S. and saw a grocery store for the first time. I completely freaked out."

How I did it: "I think what set me apart is that I play varsity golf. I've played for 12 years. My dad got me into it when we came here. He liked the values of golf. He wanted us to learn how to win and lose.

I also crochet. I sew infinity scarves and sell them on Etsy. I just started selling them and I've sold about 70. I've been making them since fifth grade."

Test scores and grades: "I have all As. By the end of this year I'll have 14 AP credits. I don't get much sleep but I like what I'm doing so it's okay.

I didn't have the best test scores. I got a 2120 on my SAT.

I applied to 11 colleges. I got into 10. I didn't get into Harvard."

Did you get accepted into a top college but can't afford to go? Tell us about it and you could be included in an upcoming CNNMoney story.

First published April 17, 2015: 5:52 PM ET

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