A Francis Lewis High School student has a big decision ahead, after she was accepted into five Ivy League Universities. NY1's Clodagh McGowan reports.
After four years of AP classes and hours of SAT prep, the hard work isn't over yet for Gisella Carpio. She has a big decision on her hands. The 17 year-old has to choose which Ivy League School she'll spend the next four years of her life. Her options: Princeton, Columbia, Brown, Cornell or the University of Pennsylvania.
"As I kept getting decisions, I wasn't really expecting more acceptances,” said Carpio, a Corona resident. “But when I did it was a really emotional moment for my family and I."
Carpio is a first-generation American, the daughter of immigrants from Ecuador.
She says visiting the universities with her family, now as an accepted student, fulfills their version of the American Dream.
"They never imagined for one of their children to be in these circumstances. Even though you can dream of accomplishing so many great things, I think they definitely didn't expect this to happen but they're very glad that it did and very excited for me," she said.
The Francis Lewis High School senior is at the head of her class with a 102 percent average.
"To be honest, I'm humbled by the acceptances but not surprised. Because I know day in and day out she's given it 110 percent," said Ricardo Verastegui, a guidance counselor at the school.
While Carpio has not picked a school yet, she plans on studying political science, with aspirations of becoming a lawyer then a judge.
"I've always been passionate about public service and serving the public," said Carpio.
But more than anything, she hopes to inspire other students to dream big.
"It doesn't matter where you come from, it doesn't matter what your circumstances are. Any dream is possible, if you put the work in and you persevere," said Carpio.