Irving ISD is proud to celebrate Singley Academy senior Marsiha Khan, who has matched with Princeton University through the prestigious QuestBridge National College Match program.
When Marsiha learned that she had matched with Princeton, the moment felt surreal.
“As soon as I read the match announcement, I shut my Chromebook and ran straight to my counselor,” says Khan. “It felt like I was running on air. I couldn’t stop shaking, and I couldn’t believe the shift in my life’s direction.”
The QuestBridge program connects high school seniors from across the country with full four-year scholarships valued at more than $325,000. The generous financial aid package covers the full cost of attendance including tuition, housing, food and other experiences.
Khan chose to rank Princeton after being captivated by the campus and its history.
“I can’t fully explain it,” she shares. “I just felt like I could flourish there.”
Throughout her academic journey, Khan credits her parents as her greatest source of inspiration.
“To them, it didn’t matter if I got into a school like Princeton, or stayed nearby; they were still happy with me and proud of me regardless,” she says. “It always felt good to know that even if things didn’t work out, in someone’s eyes, I was never viewed lowly or as anything less.”
Khan hopes her experience encourages other students to take chances on themselves.
“It can never hurt to give it a shot,” she says. “I used to be the person who thought that I shouldn’t even try because what’s the point if I’m going to fail anyway. I want students to know they should never be the ones holding themselves back.”
In addition to her QuestBridge achievement, Khan was previously named a National Merit Semifinalist, placing her among fewer than one percent of high school seniors nationwide to earn the distinction.
Irving ISD congratulates Khan on her remarkable accomplishments and wishes her continued success as she prepares for this exciting next chapter at Princeton University.
