Launchpad to College

By Brielle Lowry (BSJ28)

The second I entered school, I knew I loved it.

I know that sounds absurd — how can a preschooler say they love school? But you’ll just have to trust me. After all, I know myself best.

As I moved through elementary and middle school, that love only grew. Every book I finished, every class I sat through (even the long, boring hours in history) couldn’t extinguish my drive.

That passion for school followed me around Oregon and into a small town. Unfortunately for me, resources were scarce, and the idea of college felt more like a dream than a plan.

I knew I wanted to go — not just because I felt like I had to, but because I needed to. No one in my family had gone before me, but I carried this stubborn belief that I could — and would. Every time someone doubted me, it only fueled me more. My pursuits led me to the top of my class — I graduated with an honors diploma and the title of valedictorian. But best of all, I was heading to the top journalism school in the country as part of the class of 2028: Northwestern University.

Fast forward to March, when I open an email from a program on campus called Northwestern's Bridge Program. I was invited to apply because of my first-generation, low-income background — exactly the kind of student the program was designed for. It offered a chance to adjust to campus life before the fall quarter started and earn two credits along the way. After applying, I heard back in May that I’d been accepted.

Before I knew it, I was flying into Midway Airport six weeks ahead of Wildcat Welcome.

When I arrived on campus, I was tired and lost. I had finally made it, but the weeks of anxiety leading up to this moment had only slightly gone away.  I still remember showing up at Kemper, the residence hall we stayed in, trying to smile through the nerves.

The program coordinators and student counselors had told us this experience would prepare us for college — and that the people we met might become our closest friends. I remember thinking that was a stretch. I was there to earn my credits, feel a little more confident and maybe explore Evanston and Chicago in my free time. But closest friends? I just hoped I’d get along with my roommate.

But as the program took off, I was quickly introduced to the pace and pressure of college academics — eight billion pages of readings, a bit of busy work, a considerable amount of stress and the speed of the quarter system.

Looking back, I know that if I’d been thrown into fall quarter without this experience, I would’ve struggled. Bridge gave me space to learn how to manage it all. I had access to resources and support that would’ve been harder to find once the full student body arrived.

But the most valuable resource I gained was something I didn’t expect and that I was told about on day one: my friends. I grew close with four other students in the program, and they became my support system during and after the program. That foundation of friendship and support I created during the program gave me the confidence to dive headfirst into what I think was the most demanding part of the program: the Medill journalism course.

While all classes were valuable in their own right, the Medill class was by far the most impactful.

I’m not being biased either! It pushed me harder than anything else that summer, but it was entirely worth it. In just five weeks, I became a better journalistic writer than I ever thought possible. I learned how to write news scripts, craft a lede, conduct interviews, stay current and, yes, survive AP style. I’ve grown a lot as a journalist since then, but so much of that growth started during those long days in Fisk Hall with the support of my friends.

By the end of the program, I felt ready to begin my first year. I had received more support in five weeks than I ever had in years of school back in Oregon and I had a solid group that stood with me. This is why I love Northwestern's Bridge Program so much — because it gave students like me the opportunity to succeed in spaces that don’t always feel like they’re made for us.

When applications opened to become a counselor for the next group, I applied right away. I wanted to help incoming students feel the same sense of belonging and confidence I had found. I was thrilled to be selected as a Medill counselor, and this summer I returned to campus — this time as a mentor.

In the midst of everything going on in the world, I would like to remind everyone that programs like Northwestern Bridge matter. Everyone deserves access to education, and just as importantly, everyone deserves the tools and support to succeed once they get there.

I am proud to be part of the legacy of this program, I am proud to be a student at Medill and I am proud to be a first generation college student.

I am proud to be me.

Get involved or learn more about Northwestern's Bridge Program here.