05/08/2026
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Getting into the Massachusetts Institute of Technology was not something alum Diana R. initially expected, and it wasn’t a school her 9th grade self would have imagined committing to. However, after visiting the campus this past month, she immediately felt at home and knew it was where she wanted to spend the next 4️⃣ years.
Diana is currently a student attending Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School, where she has explored a wide range of interests throughout her high school journey. While she began high school set on becoming a doctor 👩🏾⚕️, she discovered passions in media, engineering, and marketing 💻 along the way.
Choosing to explore beyond medicine led to some of her most memorable experiences, including participating in NBCUniversal’s Media Fellows Program with Minds Matter SoCal, visiting Deloitte offices with KIPP Forward, and volunteering in a lab at USC’s Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Her journey reflects the importance of staying open to new opportunities. She encourages younger students not to be afraid to stray from their original plans, emphasizing that no path is linear. By stepping outside of her comfort zone, she has been able to discover more about who she is.
As part of her college application journey, she applied Early Action and was actively involved in KIPP Forward’s ED/EA cohort, where she worked on her applications and essays well before the school year began. Starting early allowed her to stay ahead of deadlines and avoid the stress that often comes with balancing senior year responsibilities, including academics, extracurriculars, college applications, and financial aid. She hopes her experience serves as a reminder to younger students that beginning the process early can make a meaningful difference!
KIPP Forward wishes her the best at MIT!
