Fellow Friday: Elizabeth Daugherty

Fellow Friday: Elizabeth V. Daugherty (附小白), JIF '13

Hometown: Peculiar, Missouri

High School: Raymore Peculiar High School

College: Johns Hopkins University

Major: Molecular and Cellular Biology, English

Why did you decide to become a Fellow?

I know what it is to play the game of college admissions, how to navigate the murkiness of the FAFSA and CSS, how to write an essay designed to engage a specific type of college, and ultimately how to decide where to spend the next four years. I applied to a wide range of colleges for very specific reasons because I did a lot of research over the course of my junior and senior high years and I wanted to help other young women across the Midwest do the same thing! I love college admission statistics and the anticipation and excitement that comes along with it and I hoped to be able to advise others so that when the first day of their freshman year came around, they would come to feel just as I do about Hopkins: that it is the happiest place on earth and that I could not have made a better decision!

What is your favorite memory from your summer experience?

So many experiences from which to choose, but I distinctly remember sitting in my orgo and biochem class one day, casually exchanging with other students lists of colleges that we were interested in applying to when I happened to mention Vanderbilt. The guy sitting next to me suddenly spoke up, saying "Oh Vanderbilt's a really good school- my dad's a Vice Chancellor there" in as off-hand a manner as if he were describing his favorite flavor of ice cream. I was completely shocked and honestly do not think that I concentrated on much else during that lecture. After being let out for the day, I raced to the library, pulled out my laptop, and began looking up as much information on my newfound connection to Vanderbilt. Looking back, I realized that it was not simply the lofty position that so impressed me, but rather the fact that such connections could be so commonly and casually found at college. To this day, I still maintain contact with that guy from my orgo class and this year congratulated him on being admitted to the Class of 2019! Before embarking on my adventure at Brown, I never would have dreamt that such a friendship could even be had, but thanks to JIF, opportunities such as these became a mere conversation away.

Why does the Joyce Ivy Foundation rock?

Joyce Ivy Foundation is such an invaluable and unique organization because it addresses an issue that, although not necessarily well known, is absolutely widespread. One of the greatest misconceptions about college admissions, especially top tier ones, is that they are academically, financially, and altogether realistically inaccessible. To that end, JIF affords Midwestern girls the chance to explore majors that they would not have otherwise had the chance to experience, introduces them to beautiful college campuses that most people only get to explore on a computer screen, and also offers tried-and-true advice on real-life topics ranging from internship interviews to compiling that perfect college shortlist. Moreover, JIF does not charge students (or their parents) exorbitant fees, like countless college "advising" companies. This is such an exceptional organization whose past impact will only be rivaled by its assuredly significant future impact. Thanks, JIF, for all of your hard work!

Why is life outside the Midwest amazing? 

CITY-LIFE IS INCREDIBLE (this being stated with the assumption that most Midwesterners live in suburban or rural areas, as I do). There are so many different cultures, activities, and food to experience that one really does not get to experience because of the inland location of the Midwest. Sure, there are downsides such as drinking so much boba that you worry about the tapioca pearls' rumored cancer-causing effects, not knowing if you'll be able to visit all of the incredible places that your city is known for, or having to fall asleep to the sound of street music drifting through your open window, but these are easily tolerated!:) Transportation is also a serious advantage of urban living; being able to hop onto free public transportation to just about anywhere really beats having to navigate enormous parking lots and worrying about someone side-swiping your vehicle! For those who have a fondness for shopping, a facet of city-life that will undoubtedly captivate you is the presence of local designers and the various boutiques that sponsor them. Even though the Midwest has its advantages, everyone should absolutely experience city-life at least once.

People at school who are not from the Midwest always ask me...

Having predominantly lived in the Midwest as opposed to anywhere else in the Midwest, I did not realize that in addition to some stores and restaurants being unique to us, there are some habits, foods, and living styles that can almost exclusively be found in (or at least are characteristic of) the Midwest. 

#1 Non-Midwesterners consider our region to be “The Great Plains” and rarely ever use the word “Midwest”

#2 The staple party-food puppy chow is unheard of and if you mention that you like puppy chow, people will think that you like to eat dog food (true story)

#3 Sonic Drive-In, famous for their extra-long chili cheese coneys, limeades, and skating carhops do not exist outside of the Midwest.

#4 Yes, we have a lot of cows, and yes, some really are pastured right next to schools and businesses.

How did JIF affect where you are today?

Being a part of JIF has made me realize that there are so many connections to make, so many adventures (both good and bad, but instructive all the same!) to be experienced, so many people to be impacted, and so many lives to be changed. Moreover, we all want to positively affect the world, but like cogs in a machine, we are gifted in infinitely many ways, with collaborative efforts oftentimes being the key to a problem that cannot be solved on an individualistic scale.

Do you have a question for Elizabeth?  Email her at elizabeth.v.daugherty@gmail.com