Iveta Bakalova 

Wisdom Over Knowledge

"The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit."

-Nelson Henderson

When Iveta Bakalova arrived in Chicago at eight years old from Bulgaria with her mother and sister – her vocabulary was limited to yes, no, cat, and dog. This wasn't going to do. "I quickly realized that hand signals and drawing pictures to demonstrate my points weren't effective methods of communicating with my teachers and peers," she recalls. "I saw confused looks in the lunch line when many of my new classmates were asking me questions. Then I knew that the world wasn't going to mold for my needs. I had to step up and train myself not only to speak fluent English, but to become skilled at reading and writing as well."

The transition to American life came with a host of communication, social and cultural adjustments.  But Iveta worked hard, made her education a top priority, and excelled in her studies, leading to four great years at Walter Payton College Prep. "I still believe that it is the best and most beautiful school in the nation," she says. "My high school [experience] was rigorous with all Honors and AP courses, but it kept me challenged and focused on my dream to attend to Georgetown University."

Iveta joined Chicago Scholars in her junior year of high school, thanks largely to the encouragement of Derrick Clifton, Chicago Scholar Class of 2011. "The first year with Chicago Scholars, I went through the college application and financial aid workshops that tremendously helped me figure out the different processes and made the procedure of applying to colleges and deciding my major less difficult," she says. Ultimately, however, it was Chicago Scholar’s support, during and beyond the college admissions process, that helped her safeguard her college success at the university of her dreams - Georgetown.  

Having learned early on the importance of being diligent, Iveta found upon arriving at Georgetown that a freshman course load, heavy on requirements and light on her own interests, was more overwhelming than rewarding. "I took many courses that were required and took fewer courses that fit with my interest, which was a huge mistake," she reflects. "And when I found myself struggling, I made another crucial mistake of not asking for help until I turned to Chicago Scholars who helped me sort out a path to move forward."   Along with pursuing academics that more directly appealed to her own sensibilities, she found that delving into the greater college world helped her turn things around. "I believe in order to find one's niche in college, it is valuable to join a club or extracurricular activity that embodies the qualities of a community," she says. "My extracurricular activities are like a second classroom and I learn a lot from them."

As she would later tell Linda Jamrozy of Chicago Scholars, there was more to college life than studying hard. "When living at home, my main responsibility was my studies along with a few chores, but in an out-of-state college, the atmosphere is very different. I had to become very independent at a very quick rate."  Iveta describes her experience in the competitive environment of Georgetown as being a small fish in a big pond: "great intellectuals are constantly challenging me," she explains. "This is a blessing for personal growth, but a challenge when it comes to competing for good grades and trying to meet high expectations from professors.

I’m grateful for Derrick’s (Clifton) encouragement to apply to Chicago Scholars.  It came at a time in my life when I knew I could achieve college access but did not have the support and resources necessary to make my dreams happen.  Chicago Scholars was and continues to be there for me.  I’m looking forward to receiving my degree in Environmental Studies from Georgetown University in 2012.  Thank you, Chicago Scholars.”