Jillian Alsip ‘29 was sitting in a physical therapy office when a notification popped up on her phone – a message that made everything fall into place for her.
“I was there getting treatment, and my physical therapist is a St. Ambrose alum,” Alsip recalled. “I got the email right there saying that I was awarded the Presidential Scholarship. It was really cool – like I was looking at what my future could be.
“She did the PT program at SAU, and I thought, ‘now that’s going to be me.’ I texted my mom right away and said, ‘I think this is where I’m meant to be.’”
As an exercise science major with direct-admit to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program here at St. Ambrose, the moment felt especially meaningful. Sitting across from someone who had once walked the path she hopes to follow, made her decision easy.
It all began with an invitation to St. Ambrose University’s Scholars Day. SAU had already been at the top of her college list for a while, thanks to its small campus, tight-knit community, and the direct-admit Doctor of Physical Therapy program. But Scholars Day offered something she hadn’t anticipated – a chance to immerse herself in the community and compete for a scholarship that could shape her future.
“I didn’t really know about Scholars Day when I first got the invite,” Alsip said. “I was mostly looking at outside scholarships, so it was nice to be able to get something directly from the school I was already so interested in.”
Students with an unweighted GPA of 3.25 or higher are invited to Scholars Day to be recognized for their achievements in academics, leadership, and service. They interview with faculty and staff for a variety of scholarships, including awards worth up to full tuition.
Going in, Alsip was nervous, but her perspective quickly shifted. “It exceeded my expectations. The interviews weren’t scary like I thought they’d be. Everyone was so nice: the faculty, the staff, even the other students. It made everyone feel more comfortable.”
Alsip had visited campus before, but Scholars Day felt different. “That visit really made it clear this is where I wanted to go,” she reflected. “Everyone was so open and willing to answer any question. I felt like I already went to school here.”
What stood out most was the sense of community – students bonding over shared nerves, staff members calming interview jitters, and the realization that there truly is a place for everyone at St. Ambrose.
