Three women from Northern Ireland express their immense joy after receiving offers to study at Yale University.
Ava Canney, hailing from Londonderry, Patti Mullin from Belfast, and Éle Donegan from Bangor, have all received acceptances to the prestigious Ivy League institution, Yale University.
Distinguished alumni of Yale University include notable figures such as Cole Porter, Jodi Foster, and Bill Clinton.
Éle, Patti, and Ava will commence their university journey in a few weeks, joining the ranks of the illustrious individuals who have walked the halls of Yale.
Patti Mullin, a former student of Aquinas Grammar and a standout rower from the Belfast Boat Club, shared that numerous prestigious universities in the United States were vying to recruit her.
Patti has chosen to pursue science subjects during her studies at Yale. She embarked on her rowing journey at the young age of 12 and has since become one of the top under 23 single scullers in Ireland.
During an interview with BBC Radio Ulster on Thursday, Patti revealed that she had received offers from esteemed universities like Princeton and Harvard.
However, after careful consideration, she ultimately decided to choose Yale as her preferred institution.
Patti explained, “As a rower, I was recruited by the Yale rowing coach. However, joining the team isn’t the sole reason for my decision. To gain admission to the university, one must also excel academically and possess other qualities that make them a true ‘Yalie’.”
Patti highlighted, “Once you reach an international level in rowing, you become a target for recruitment by numerous universities in America and around the globe.”
Ava Canney, an accomplished scientist, designed and constructed a spectrophotometer, an instrument used to analyze synthetic dyes in confectionery and beverages.
Hailing from St Mary’s College in Derry, Ava intends to pursue chemical engineering at Yale University.
In an interview with BBC Radio Foyle, Ava expressed her disbelief, stating, “It feels incredibly surreal that in just two weeks’ time, I’ll be embarking on what will likely be the next six years of my life.” She described the opportunity as a once-in-a-lifetime experience and expressed her anticipation for the journey ahead.
Ms. Canney also highlighted the demanding application process that prospective students must endure to secure their place.
Ava acknowledged the rigorous nature of the admission process, noting that this year had one of the lowest acceptance rates in years, with approximately 4% acceptance from a pool of over 50,000 applicants.
She described the lengthy application process, which involved writing multiple essays to share personal experiences and narrative. Ava expressed her excitement and pride in successfully reaching her goal, considering it an exhilarating journey.
Source : bbc.com
