By Taylah Eastwell
Mater Christi College’s Emma Gerber has been awarded a life-changing scholarship to Melbourne University.
Friday 13 wasn’t so unlucky for the year 12 college captain who received the exciting call letting her know she had been chosen for the Hansen Scholarship to the prestigious uni, worth a total of $108,000.
Speaking to the Star Mail, Ms Gerber described the scholarship as “a dream come true”.
“Attending Melbourne University has always been my dream, I remember in year 10 when I first read about it and since then it was always a goal I was working towards, but I never expected to actually get it. It was a shock and a dream come true,” she said.
The scholarship offers three years free accommodation at Little Hall, a $4,000 per year allowance and $4,000 for an internship or overseas exchange.
“It basically removes any financial burden of going to uni and prevents me having to commute into uni every single day which will allow me to dedicate more of my life to school,” she said.
Ms Gerber applied in March through a written application followed by a video-recorded assessment and a Zoom interview with a panel of five Melbourne University representatives.
The strict selection criteria required Ms Gerber to demonstrate a track record of academic excellence, demonstrated ability to achieve success in the face of adversity and overcome obstacles, the ability to apply skills and strengths towards activities that benefit others, the ability to work in a team as a leader and a likelihood of thriving at Melbourne University.
Ms Gerber’s experience as a leader and school captain helped her tick all the boxes.
“I’m involved in leadership as school captain and I try to get involved as much as I possibly can. It has been really amazing because my Co-Captain and I have put together a student voice forum to have more communication between students and representatives to make sure everyone’s voices are heard in the school,” she said.
She was also involved in music for a number of years, playing the cello.
Ms Gerber plans to go on to study a Bachelor of Science, although she is not yet 100% on which career avenue she wants to pursue.
“The best part is I get to make the connections at Melbourne University that will help me work out what it is that I want to do,” she said.
“It’s really just such a privilege,” she said.
