The college application process can spur fear in many high schoolers, but the power of betting on yourself will always take you far. It’s that mentality that has led Georgia high school senior Makenzie Thompson to academic excellence, according to CNN.

The 18-year-old, who is described as a “star student throughout high school,” applied to 51 universities and has since received 49 acceptance letters along with over $1 million in scholarship offers. The leap of faith came after Thompson attended college fairs and received fee waivers, the outlet reports. As of now, she only has one pending letter.

“It was a very, very good experience, just to see your hard work paying off and getting to see them just pile up in a folder,” she said, according to CNN. “My family is ecstatic. Getting 49 acceptances and over 1.3 million, they’re like ‘wow, you’re going places.'”

Makenzie Thompson's Selected School

According to CNN, “Anne Hampson Boatwright, media relations manager at Fulton County Schools, confirmed that Thompson received 49 college acceptances and $1.3 million in scholarship offers.”

Choosing from 49 schools could seem grueling. However, the decision came quite organically for Thompson. According to her, visiting Tuskegee University’s campus in Alabama made her feel at home.

Additionally, the Historically Black College and University (HBCU), which she’ll be attending next year is known for being the place for Black veterinarians — the student’s aspiring career. She will be coming into her freshman year majoring in animal science.

Thomspon’s love for animals first began with her household being full of dogs, guinea pigs, fish, and more.

Young Black Excellence

On top of excelling academically during her time at Westlake High School in Atlanta, the teenager is the senior class president, the vice president of community service organization, Beta Club, a varsity baseball manager, a member of the national honor society plus the honor society of dance and arts.

The talent of Black girls is limitless!