The most pleasant surprise

When Ivy Luo began applying to undergraduate science programs in 2021, she felt overwhelmed by the array of post-secondary options. “I had no idea where I wanted to go. I knew I wanted to study science but there were so many universities to consider.”

Ivy was guided by her older sister, Sophie, who attended Western and had wonderful insight to share about her experience at Western’s Ivey Business School. Sophie was pivotal in helping Ivy narrow down her choices. “She really encouraged me to consider Western, and I’m so glad,” says Ivy. “Coming to Western has honestly been one of the best decisions I've made.”

Now in her third year of Western’s Medical Sciences Program, Ivy is thriving as she specializes in physiology and pharmacology. “My dual focus has been an amazing way to learn what happens in the human body, and how to treat disorders. I enjoy the professors, and I love the courses and being able to connect with peers that have similar interests as me.”

Finances can be a struggle

Ivy’s parents, who do not live in London, supported both their daughters in choosing Western, however the financial realities of helping pay for tuition and housing has been a challenge. To offset some of her living costs, Ivy began working as a residence don where she was responsible for the needs of students including promoting heathy behaviours and being a role model ensuring students were responsible and respectful students in the university environment. Both daughters worked hard to minimize the financial burden on their family, so it came as a wonderful surprise when in October 2023, Ivy was notified she had been awarded the Marjorie Fraser Scholarship. It was a welcome relief for the whole family. 

This particular donor-funded award did not require an application but did require an 85 per cent average. Ivy was automatically included based on her academic standing.

“I was actually pretty surprised,” says the grateful student. “It was definitely a relief and it’s helped my parents focus on my sister's tuition.”

Now, as Ivy works through her third year, she is beginning to look ahead to what’s next for her education at Western. “I'm really interested in pharmacology and drug development, especially for neurological diseases. So far, my only research experience is from my mandatory courses, so I will be applying to an Undergraduate Summer Research Internship (USRI) position and am hoping to work with a professor to study pharmaceutical developments.” 

Thanks to the generosity of Western’s donor community, Ivy’s future is brimming with promise.  “Donating to scholarships and internships are such a great way for donors to help students excel, and I’m super grateful for that support,” she says. “I love this school with my whole heart, and I'm so glad that I ended up here!”