Northern Grad Off To Attend HARVARD (Vance County, NC)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
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<p>" ... The Warren County native, who has attended Vance County Schools since eighth grade, is the first NVHS alum to attend an Ivy League school as an undergrad in recent memory, according to veteran NVHS English teacher Dwight Pearce...</p>

<p>The Harvard application process includes an interview with a Harvard alumnus. Because there are no known alumni in Vance, Bullock had to go to a Durham coffee shop to interview. He said the interview process wasn't difficult and he left the coffee shop with confidence.</p>

<p>Bullock got an acceptance notice in late March and an actual letter soon afterwards.</p>

<p>“I read the letter five or six times to make sure I was reading it right,” Bullock said. He showed it to his mother, then read it three or four times the next day before showing it to Pearce....</p>

<p>An announcement was made over the intercom system at NVHS when Bullock received his acceptance. Pearce said many faculty members shed joyful tears when the news broke.</p>

<p>“I've been shaking a lot of hands and getting a lot of hugs from people I don't know,” said Bullock, who said some of his peers seem more excited about the news than he is. Griffin said Bullock has remained humble despite the prestige and attention..."</p>

<p><a href="http://www.hendersondispatch.com/articles/2006/05/27/news/news03.txt%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.hendersondispatch.com/articles/2006/05/27/news/news03.txt&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>The kid wants to write for the Crimson. Help him out in September!</p>

<p>"... Bullock said his current plan is to major in philosophy, write for the student newspaper and get into other literary activities."</p>

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<p>My mom was the first person to even apply to any Ivy League school from her high school, but she got into Harvard. (Yes, I know, I'm a legacy, crucify me.)</p>

<p>I go to a high school where it's not as big a deal- about five get in every year- but I still found random people I didn't know congratulating me when I got in. In a weird way, it's how you learn who your friends are- they're the ones who don't care where you go.</p>

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<p>The Crimson open houses are pretty well publicized.</p>

5

<p>Just remember, this is a small-town kid - without the urban sophistication that you and Sunglasses came equipped with. Be supportive!</p>

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<p>Since when has Columbus had "urban sophistication"????</p>

<p>And I think students, even students from rural North Carolina, know how to read posters.</p>

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<p>How soon they forget, just<em>forget</em>me!</p>

<p>Columbus has nine (count 'em, 9) Starbucks.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.google.com/maps?hl=en&lr=&q=starbucks&near=Columbus,+OH&sa=X&oi=local&ct=title%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.google.com/maps?hl=en&lr=&q=starbucks&near=Columbus,+OH&sa=X&oi=local&ct=title&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>All Henderson, NC has is a Daylite Donuts!</p>

<p><a href="http://yp.yahoo.com/py/ypMap.py?Pyt=Typ&tuid=19603084&ck=2239332822&tab=B2C&ycat=8228500&city=Dortches&state=NC&uzip=27804&country=us&msa=6895&cs=4&ed=Wxa0261o2TxheWxd7XaCmWb1F8dR1tjH2dDcz8j0EU9S&stat=:pos:12:regular:regT:20:fbT:0%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://yp.yahoo.com/py/ypMap.py?Pyt=Typ&tuid=19603084&ck=2239332822&tab=B2C&ycat=8228500&city=Dortches&state=NC&uzip=27804&country=us&msa=6895&cs=4&ed=Wxa0261o2TxheWxd7XaCmWb1F8dR1tjH2dDcz8j0EU9S&stat=:pos:12:regular:regT:20:fbT:0&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>Columbus has more than 9 (at least 32 <a href="http://www.starbucks.com/retail/locator/PrxResults.aspx?a=1&LOC=39.9716774569782%3a-83.0228754748509&CT=39.9716774569782%3a-83.02287547485097.12505633765476%3a5.34379225324107&countryID=244&FC=RETAIL&dataSource=MapPoint.NA&Radius=10&GAD2=&GAD3=43215+(postal+code)%2c+Ohio%2c+United+States&IC=39.9716774569782%3a-83.0228754748509%3a32%3a43215+(postal+code)%2c+Ohio%2c+United+States%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.starbucks.com/retail/locator/PrxResults.aspx?a=1&LOC=39.9716774569782%3a-83.0228754748509&CT=39.9716774569782%3a-83.02287547485097.12505633765476%3a5.34379225324107&countryID=244&FC=RETAIL&dataSource=MapPoint.NA&Radius=10&GAD2=&GAD3=43215+(postal+code)%2c+Ohio%2c+United+States&IC=39.9716774569782%3a-83.0228754748509%3a32%3a43215+(postal+code)%2c+Ohio%2c+United+States&lt;/a> ). And I think Xavier can get his Frappachinos without too much of a drive ( <a href="http://www.starbucks.com/retail/locator/PrxResults.aspx?a=1&LOC=35.4059179779727%3a-82.3670885220705&CT=35.4059179779727%3a-82.367088522070523.156433097378%3a17.3673248230335&countryID=244&FC=RETAIL&dataSource=MapPoint.NA&Radius=10&GAD2=&GAD3=28792+(postal+code)%2c+North+Carolina%2c+United+States&IC=35.4059179779727%3a-82.3670885220705%3a32%3a28792+(postal+code)%2c+North+Carolina%2c+United+States%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.starbucks.com/retail/locator/PrxResults.aspx?a=1&LOC=35.4059179779727%3a-82.3670885220705&CT=35.4059179779727%3a-82.367088522070523.156433097378%3a17.3673248230335&countryID=244&FC=RETAIL&dataSource=MapPoint.NA&Radius=10&GAD2=&GAD3=28792+(postal+code)%2c+North+Carolina%2c+United+States&IC=35.4059179779727%3a-82.3670885220705%3a32%3a28792+(postal+code)%2c+North+Carolina%2c+United+States&lt;/a> ).</p>

<p>But I can tell you that it takes more than knowing how to order a "tall latte with soy milk" to impress the New York elites.</p>

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<p>Well I'd say you've proved my point about the relative urbanity of Columbus, OH vs Henderson, NC.</p>

<p>That little headstart .... that little extra bit of patina .... understanding the moral superiority of soy milk to cow's milk ... may make a lasting impression on the lordly overseers of the Crimson compers!</p>

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<p>Oh, Crimson comping...</p>

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<p>Well Im sure the fact that she didnt live in an area with "urban sophistication" helped her.</p>

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<p>He's a "he".</p>

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<p>point being?</p>

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<p>Here's another nice story about Mr. Bullock. Bob, if you're looking for a point, I think it's a good example of the impact of the HFAI, as well as a story that makes one feel good. But don't read it if you don't want to. ;)</p>

<p><a href="http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/446187.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/446187.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>
[quote]
Xavier Bullock has never been north of Richmond, Va. He's never visited Charlotte. The newly graduated 17-year-old from Northern Vance High School has lived his entire life within a 10-mile radius of where he was born.</p>

<p>It's an area hard against the Virginia border where poverty and educational disadvantage are difficult to outrun. Vance County ranks 10th in the state for poverty, 94th for average SAT score. Fewer than 70 percent of adults have a high school diploma.</p>

<p>But when this summer ends, Xavier and his parents will drive down the nearby ramp onto Interstate 85 and head north nearly 700 miles to Cambridge, Mass.</p>

<p>Xavier Bullock is going to Harvard.</p>

<hr>

<p>In Vance County, Xavier has been front-page news in the Henderson Daily Dispatch. He is the first Vance student in memory to be admitted to any Ivy League college, let alone one of the most selective, with a full, four-year scholarship worth $160,000. Harvard officials can't recall another student from Vance, either.</p>

<hr>

<p>For a while, he said, his mother tried to persuade him to go to UNC-Chapel Hill. He was also accepted by N.C. State, East Carolina University, UNC-Greensboro and N.C. Central University, where a full scholarship was on the table.</p>

<p>But Harvard's offer to cover the annual $40,000 bill ended the debate. The college provides full scholarships to any student whose family earns less than $60,000 a year. Xavier's father, Alexander, who works as a construction manager, earns about $50,000. Xavier's mother, Carol, has remained home with the youngest of his two brothers but is taking classes in early childhood education at Vance-Granville Community College.

[/quote]
</p>

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<p>Stories like this, and others similar, will hopefully persuade students from modest circumstances that they CAN aspire to Harvard, and that finances need not stand in the way.</p>

<p>The great difficulty in attracting such applicants has always been getting them to apply in the first place. </p>

<p>There is an enduring perception to be overcome that the "Ivy League" is only for rich kids from private schools. Despite the reality that such has not been the case for many years, word has been slow to filter out to the heartland.</p>

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<p>
[quote]
There is an enduring perception to be overcome that the "Ivy League" is only for rich kids from private schools. Despite the reality that such has not been the case for many years, word has been slow to filter out to the heartland.

[/quote]

That's certainly true in our part of Ohio, and articles such as the ones Byerly has posted are valuable in getting the word out. Many public school GC's are, IMO, very well intentioned, but not very imaginative. If you apply, being accepted at Harvard is a long shot - but not as long a shot as if you don't apply.</p>

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<p>I dug this up from the CC archives, and I really must thank you for posting this. I come from a rarely known county in NC and like Xavier, even the most intelligent seniors in my school only aspire to apply to a place like UNC-Chapel Hill or Duke (only as a long shot). I love stories like this that give me some sort of hope. I've been really discouraged lately because no one in my junior class is placing any sort of interest in a college outside of NC, and I've even contemplated changing my decision about "reaching for higher goals" because it just doesn't seem possible. The worst part is, even if I DO apply to a school like Harvard, I'd be way too afraid to tell anyone about it for fear of embarrassment. "YOU applied to harvard? Uh, good luck. Those kids are geniuses." I know that's what they'd say. In fact, my best friend said something of the sort when I told her a few weeks ago.</p>

<p>So what is my point? I have none. Just wanted to wallow in this hopeful thought for a minute.</p>

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<p>Well Byerly, then do you agree that for middle class kids who're basically just academic applicants it's really useless to apply without stellar ECs and/or academics? Because they always urge everyone to apply, but I sometimes wonder if it's not just to make their stats better...</p>

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<p>holler! I went to governor's school with xavier. I'm glad that his story got into the news, although we've been at harvard for more than two years now!</p>

<p>although admissions is getting even more competitive now....which means that more people with this dream are even more likely to get rejected :(</p>

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<p>Spiffystars (post #17) has been accepted to Harvard class of 2012.</p>