Jaclyn Capita ’18

Jaclyn Capita ’18
Major: History and English
Hometown: Rochester, NY
Scholarships: Paul Singer Class of 1966 Scholarship Fund, Schiff Family Endowed Scholarship

To My Donors,

I don’t think I will ever be able to adequately express my and my family’s gratitude. I would not be here without your generosity. I am the first person in my family to attend college, and I never thought I would have the opportunity to attend a top tier institution like the University of Rochester. It is generous donors like you who make attaining an education possible. You have given me an opportunity that no one else has been able to. I am forever grateful for your support, thank you.

Sincerely,
Jaclyn Capita

“Throughout all four years of high school I was fortunate enough to participate in the University of Rochester’s Pre-College Programs. I got exposure to our amazing facilities, resources, student body, and campus life. I applied early decision to the University—truly the best decision of my life.

This year, I am a freshman mentor for the Rising Leader class, stage manager for Off Broadway On Campus, and the recruitment and training leader for the Meridian Society. Within the past year, I studied abroad twice, in Greece and in the United Kingdom. I am also an intern for the University’s Pre-College Programs. Lastly, I am in the middle of a research project for my honors history thesis, which focuses on the Victorian dinner party.

Next year will be my official Take Five year where I will examine neo-French philosophy. Once my Take Five is complete I am hoping to participate in a Fulbright Fellowship (I will apply in 2018). After that, I hope to get into a PhD program to focus on Victorian studies. I hope to one day be a professor at a top tier institution.

The faculty has been the best part of my University experience. If I had to pick, Professor Rajan, Professor Hahn, Professor Merideth, and Professor Gresens are responsible for helping me reach my goals and be successful.

Attending the University has changed my life. When I came to college I thought I had it all planned out, I thought I knew what I wanted to do and what kind of people I wanted to be friends with. Nothing turned out the way I planned, but for the better. I am ultimately much happier, I feel engaged, curious, and challenged both in and outside the classroom. I am pursuing my passions and surrounded by people I love dearly.

I will forever be grateful for the experiences that I have had here. I wish I could adequately express in words how grateful my family and I are for scholarship support. Nearly 27 years ago my parents made the biggest decision of their lives, to immigrate to America. They wanted me to have every opportunity in the world, every opportunity that they knew they could not give me back home.”

Support a deserving scholar
To learn how you can help students like Jaclyn realize their academic dreams and potential, contact Stephen A. Dare, Senior Associate Vice President for University Advancement for Academic Relations, at (585) 275-7530.

The Paul Singer Class of 1966 Scholarship was established in 2001 through a gift from Paul Singer ’66. It provides support for undergraduate scholarships at the University of Rochester.

The Schiff Family Endowed Scholarship was established with bequest gifts from Hans Schiff ’43 and his wife, Merle. The fund provides scholarship support for students in the School of Arts & Sciences.

—Story compiled by Kristine Thompson, with quotes and content directly from Jaclyn Capita, April 2018