Scholarships

Samyam Khatiwada is heading to the University of Pennsylvania this fall, with not one, but two major scholarships helping him get there.

He was recently named a 2025 Cooke College Scholar, one of only 60 students selected from a competitive pool across all 50 states, D.C., and five U.S. territories. The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation scholarship provides up to $55,000 per year, along with extra advising and support through college.

"So after I graduate, next fall, I will be attending the University of Pennsylvania on originally, originally a full ride scholarship, plus merit-based aid, but now I was awarded the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship as well," Samyam shared. "So that will be supplemented into my financial aid packet."

Getting into an Ivy League university and earning one of the nation's most competitive scholarships isn't easy, but Samyam’s story shows how staying focused over four years can lead to life-changing opportunities.

Finding His Path

He didn’t always have Penn at the top of his list.

“I honestly wasn't sure where I wanted to go until the start of my senior year,” he said. He had originally planned to attend UT Austin, but realized he wanted to aim higher. “This will define the rest of my career, my professional career.”

He applied early decision to Penn and got in. He’ll major in business at the world-renowned Wharton School, ranked #1 for undergraduate business programs in 2024. He also plans to double major in political science and minor in management, with a possible second minor in ethics or artificial intelligence.

Campus Leadership

On top of his academic success, Samyam made the most of every opportunity at ILTexas Aggieland.

“When I started freshman year, there weren't that many opportunities,” he said.

So, he helped create them, a perfect example of how ILTexas’s leadership education empowers students to take initiative. He served as class president all four years and is currently Student Council president. He founded the World Cultures Club, led the Chess Club, and played varsity soccer after starting on JV.

Through Marine Corps JROTC, he earned the role of platoon commander in the program’s first year.

And in Model UN, Samyam competed across Texas, attended an international conference in Canada, and most recently traveled to another major conference in New York.

"I think Model UN has had a great impact on me," he said. "Our sponsor has been influential in what I want to do in the future as well, with political science."

Proud Moments

When asked what accomplishment he’s most proud of, Samyam didn’t hesitate.“Getting into my dream school,” he said. But just as important to him is the legacy he’s leaving at Aggieland, paving the way for students after him.

Mentors Who Made a Difference

Behind every success story are mentors who made a difference. Samyam credits Mr. Caryl, his math teacher, with supporting him through AP Calculus AB and BC. “Having Mr. Carl there last year and this year with Calculus BC has been a great experience.” Mr. Caryl also wrote recommendation letters that helped him get into top programs and colleges.

He also credits Ms. Avila and ASP for giving him a space to grow and dream big. "ASP is such an amazing facet of ILTexas," he said.

Extended Learning Opportunities

Before wrapping up, Samyam wanted to highlight something he feels many people don't realize: ILTexas offers life-changing experiences outside of the classroom, too.

He attended a month-long Chinese Summer Language Program in Taiwan, at no cost, thanks to ILTexas’s commitment to global learning. "It was free, completely free, for the 60 students who went last year," he said. He learned Mandarin, made new friends, and experienced another culture, a rare opportunity for any high schooler, and one that reflects ILTexas’s mission to provide students with real-world, international opportunities beyond the classroom through Extended Leadership Opportunities.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

He also traveled to Washington, D.C. through the ILTexas Distinguished Student Ambassadors Program, another experience that goes far beyond the typical high school field trip. During the visit, he and his peers had the chance to step inside the Pentagon, meet ambassadors and intelligence officials, and learn directly from people shaping global policy and national security.

“These weren’t just tours. They were hands-on, high-level experiences,” he said. “I don't think any other high school, and maybe even the country, has these opportunities.”

Samyam says ILTexas taught him one of the most important lessons: leadership.

"That's the main reason I want to go into business," he said. "I want to create my own business, and I want to use the leadership that I learned at ILTexas in my business in the future."

We couldn’t be prouder of Samyam, and we can’t wait to see what he accomplishes next!

Congratulations, Samyam! You’re soaring high and making the ILTexas family proud.