Sophia Mekbeb

Stamps 1693 Scholar Standard File

Hometown

Scotch Plains, NJ (Union County Academy for Performing Arts)

Academic Interests

Government, International Relations, Public Policy

Why W&M

When I first began my college search, I was convinced I’d be able to keep my heart out of it. For the first 90% of the process, I was successful in remaining objective — or about as close to “objective” as a high school student could reasonably be. I created extensive spreadsheets, drafted pro-con lists, and prioritized academically selective schools with strong undergraduate research programs, especially those that offered early, hands-on faculty collaboration.

So when I learned I was a finalist for the 1693 scholarship at William & Mary, I was excited by the prospect of attending a school that seemed to check my boxes on paper, but I’d be lying if I said I also wasn’t a bit hesitant. I hadn’t seriously imagined myself in Virginia before, let alone in a place as quaint as Williamsburg. Not to mention that after receiving acceptances to 15 other institutions, I thought I’d need to firmly retain my “objective” mindset, as if I could determine the trajectory of my next four years by spreadsheet alone.

Then, I stepped onto campus. That’s when my mission of remaining “objective” began to fall apart — in the best way possible.

I remember walking through the Sunken Gardens and feeling something shift. It wasn’t just the landscape that won me over (though the canopy of trees and colonial architecture were undeniably picturesque). It was the people (corny, but true)! Every student I met radiated not only a passion for what they studied, but a genuine interest in sharing it. I came away from literally every interaction with a sense of welcoming and warmth that I had yet to experience at other extremely competitive institutions — institutions that had once been at the top of my list, but now paled in comparison to how I now felt about William & Mary.

That weekend made one thing clear: I would thrive best in a community where brilliance wasn’t a competition, but a shared pursuit. That’s what I found at William & Mary. For the first time, I saw reflected in my peers the exact kind of scholar and person I wanted to become—curious, qualified, collaborative, and above all, kind.

High School Activities

New Jersey 22nd Legislative District, Intern to Assemblywoman Linda S. Carter
Scotch Plains Town Hall, Township Municipal Intern
Scotch Plains “City Lifestyle” Magazine, Editorial Intern & Student Feature Writer
International Thespian Society, President
UCVTS Newspaper Club/Literary Magazine, Editor-In-Chief
Montclair State Model United Nation Summit, Best Delegate
ATNY, Student Director to Off-Broadway Production
Paper Mill Playhouse Conservatory, Featured Soloist
iTheatrics Broadway Pilot Workshops, Lead Actor
Scotch Plains-Fanwood Recreation, Youth Theatre Assistant Director
NextGen Text Bank, Volunteer
UCVTS Speech & Debate, Secretary
UCVTS Music Club, Social Media Chair

Awards / Distinctions

College Board's National African American Recognition Award
2024 AP Scholar Award
2023 & 2025 National History Day State Qualifier/Regional Winner
2024 & 2025 Speech & Theatre Association of New Jersey Governor’s Award Finalist
The Blank Theatre’s Young Playwrights Festival National Semifinalist
Marc Wesley Hardy Human Rights Award
Union County Historical Society Student History Award
AATSP National Spanish Examination Gold Certification
International Thespian Society Honorarium Scholarship
Academy for Performing Arts Theatre Academic Award
Academy for Performing Arts English Academic Award
Academy for Performing Arts History Special Recognition Award
Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica
National Honor Society