Growing up in Bellevue, Washington, Sue Chung always knew that college was in her future. Encouraged by her parents, who immigrated from South Korea, Sue understood the power of education and the opportunities it could unlock. To her parents, “Going to college was the first step to a better future,” Sue shared. “My parents always wanted me to attend a prestigious school because they believed in me and that it would guarantee greater opportunity, stability, and success.”

Her first introduction to QuestBridge came through her mother’s friend. “She told my family about the program and how her son matched with Pomona College,” Sue recalled. This pivotal moment came full circle when her older brother also applied to the QuestBridge National College Match and was admitted with a full four-year scholarship to Wesleyan University. Inspired by his success, Sue followed in his footsteps.

As she prepared for her senior year, the challenges posed by attending high school at home during the COVID-19 pandemic made the college application process even more daunting. “It was easy to get overwhelmed by the National College Match,” Sue shared. “I felt alone and burnt out while learning to research colleges, write tons of supplements, and get frustrated over financial aid documentation.” Despite these obstacles, Sue found support. 

Sue relied on QuestBridge resources and attended National College Match workshops. She also joined an online community group for Finalists, discovering that others in the community felt the same way. “Since college admission season can be filled with anxiety, insecurity, and doubt, it was nice to know there was a supportive place where I could ask questions and find answers if there was something I could not find on my own.”

Sue’s journey with QuestBridge culminated in her ranking Vanderbilt University as her top choice in the National College Match. Although she wasn’t matched initially, she wasn’t discouraged. “It was important to me to remind myself that only I could determine and validate my self-worth and hard work, not my match results or the college I would attend,” she said. However, she knew that applying through Early Decision 2 would give her the best chance at her dream school. Her perseverance paid off after she was accepted to Vanderbilt. “It was a surreal experience to feel that all the hard work I put in and the sacrifices my family made were awarded, and I would be attending my dream school at an affordable price,” Sue said, recalling the joy of that moment.

At Vanderbilt, Sue has thrived both academically and socially. Driven by a passion for education and advocacy, Sue majored in Human & Organizational Development and Educational Studies, both of which equipped her to create spaces for underrepresented populations.

Sue’s involvement with the QuestBridge Scholars Network (QSN) at Vanderbilt was especially transformative. Initially, she was hesitant to engage because she didn’t know many fellow Scholars. But she took a chance and applied for an executive board position and was chosen as Public Relations chair. Sue went on to serve as the Vanderbilt QSN Chapter President, focusing on expanding the chapter’s impact. “We have been able to collaborate with Vanderbilt’s administration and other student organizations to provide our Scholars with more resources and opportunities for success,” she explained. 

Her commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive community has been unwavering. “Being a part of Vanderbilt’s QSN Chapter is about being a leader, representative, advocate, and friend for underrepresented and marginalized students.”

Looking back, Sue celebrates her journey from being a 13-year-old sister celebrating her brother’s Match decision at Wesleyan to being the president of Vanderbilt’s QSN Chapter: “I am still learning new things about myself every day. I am truly grateful for the experiences, opportunities, and people I’ve been exposed to.”