Gathering data, seeking answers: Aero Brunell is on her way to becoming a researcher

Aero Brunell wants to be a researcher in astronomy and chemistry, and she’s always known she wanted to go to a leading research-focused school. “I’m going to be the one with the telescope, or in the lab, gathering the data myself,” she said. She’s been interested in both subjects from a young age, and knew that a career in either one likely required a college degree.

The question was how to get that degree. While college was always on the table for Aero, she knew that financing higher education would be up to her. She lives with her mom, Cheryl, and younger sister, Haven, in Newport. Their family income is modest. Cheryl went to college herself, but so much has changed in the application and financial aid process since then that Aero and her mom weren’t certain where to start.

A boost from VSAC

When Aero was in 7th grade, she started working with VSAC’s GEAR UP college and career readiness program. At first, conversations were broad, talking about her future and what it could look like. When Aero started at North Country Union High School, she started meeting with Jimmy Clark, a VSAC GEAR UP outreach counselor. The meetings became more serious and frequent, focused on what she’d like to study, what colleges she’d need to apply to, and what kind of resume she might need to get into a selective school.

Aero took the advice seriously, applying herself in her academics, especially her STEM and art classes, and in track and field, where she competes in discus, javelin, and shotput. She participates in the school musical and works part-time at a local business. She also added leadership positions as the Select Choir representative and Arts & Communications Academy representative, where she serves as the student liaison to the teachers and administration in both departments. This year, she is serving as president of the National Honor Society and will be the student graduation speaker in June.

An unconventional mutual-selection process

When it came time to apply to schools her senior year, she focused on an opportunity through Quest Bridge, a non-profit organization that helps high-achieving students from modest income families match to colleges. It’s a mutual selection process that Aero jokingly likens to a dating app. If you’re selected as a finalist - as Aero was - you’re able to apply to colleges through Quest Bridge, ranking your top fifteen choices. Colleges also rank applicants and if, through the mutual selection process, a student and college match, the student is provided with a full ride, including tuition, room and board, fees, and books.

While Aero didn’t match in Quest Bridge’s early decision process, she did match in their regular decision process to the University of Southern California (USC). While she didn’t quite receive a full ride financial aid package, she did get a full tuition scholarship to the university.

In total, through Quest Bridge’s two application cycles and her common application submissions, Aero applied to 56 colleges. She got into half. She knew she wanted to go to a highly selective school, and that the admission spots at those schools are incredibly competitive. The ability to cast a wide net with no application fee helped her see the full potential of what was available to her.

Figuring out the financial piece

At the same time she was pursuing the Quest Bridge application process, Aero was working with Jimmy at VSAC on her FAFSA and all the other financial aid paperwork.

“Jimmy helped me figure it out step-by-step,” Aero shared. “Mostly that meant me calming down enough to be able to go through each long and confusing piece without getting overwhelmed. It was so great to have someone who knew what was going on.”

With help from VSAC, Aero received her Vermont Grant and a Samara Scholarship. She’s waiting to hear about a few additional scholarships she applied for from the VSAC Scholarship Booklet.

Jimmy describes Aero as one of the hardest working students he’s had the joy of counseling. “Her drive and ability to follow through on things that she says she will do are incredibly inspiring,” he noted.

When her financial aid offer came in from USC over break, Aero met up with Jimmy to make sure it covered everything she needed. While she still has some costs to cover, she’s figuring it out. In addition to the VSAC scholarships she’s waiting to hear about, she’s also applied for local scholarships for Northeast Kingdom and Orleans County students.

Looking to her future

In her graduation speech, Aero will offer remarks about the importance of community. It’s a theme that is aligned with her own personal ethos, and one that resonates with her peers, who experienced pivotal middle school years during COVID, and temporary event tent classrooms for most of last school year while the school was being renovated due to elevated levels of PCBs.

Aero has enjoyed high school and plans to continue being involved with her community in college. As for her future, Aero is excited about the strong academics, engaging student life, and extensive alumni network offered at USC—as well as the warm climate!