High school student Victoria Mathieu, known as Tori, cast a wide net this year by applying to 17 colleges. Her ultimate goal was to attend an Ivy League school in her home state, the University of Pennsylvania. With a weighted GPA of 4.36, a robust list of extracurricular activities, a summer legal internship, and advocacy work, she hoped to catch the eye of the prestigious university. Realistic about the slim chances of being accepted into an Ivy League institution, Tori was both surprised and shocked when Penn offered her admission, along with 14 other schools, including four other Ivy League universities. Expressing her gratitude, she described the moment as a blessing beyond belief.
In a viral TikTok video capturing her acceptance reactions, Victoria, accompanied by her parents, received acceptance letters from multiple Ivy League schools, making history as the first Bensalem High School student to be accepted into five. The video, posted on “Ivy Day,” showcased her elation as each acceptance letter was revealed. Despite being waitlisted by two Ivy League schools, the overall experience left her feeling incredulous and overjoyed.
Victoria’s accomplishment was recognized by her guidance counselor as exceptional, with her acceptance into five Ivy League schools setting a new school record. Described as a standout student with a fiery spirit and unparalleled work ethic, Victoria’s achievements, including founding a local honors legal society chapter and interning with Legal Aid, have set her apart. This remarkable achievement has impressed her community and educators alike, with her counselor hailing her as a rare find and a true unicorn among students.
Victoria Mathieu is a remarkable individual who wears many hats in her community. She serves as a student representative on the Bensalem School Board, leads the Step Dance Team she founded, and captains the Reading Olympics team at her high school. Additionally, she is a Pennsylvania global ambassador for the ReSoap Foundation, a youth-led nonprofit dedicated to combating hygiene poverty and climate change. Victoria is also a member of the DECA chapter at her high school, which focuses on preparing students for careers in business.
In her spare time, Victoria founded Still I Shine, a virtual community support group for Black high school-age girls who are grappling with “colorism” — discrimination against individuals with darker skin tones within the same ethnic or racial groups. Her dedication and leadership have not gone unnoticed, with her supporter, Harrison, believing that Victoria is destined to change the world.
Victoria’s academic achievements are equally impressive. She is the first student from Bensalem High School to receive acceptance letters from five different Ivy League schools. Despite her exceptional accomplishments, Victoria remains humble and driven, always pushing herself to excel academically.
Victoria’s parents, Pierre and Tina, both immigrants who value education as a pathway to success, have instilled in her the importance of a good education. They are immensely proud of her accomplishments but recognize that there is still hard work ahead. Victoria has chosen to attend Yale University, with aspirations of pursuing a legal career.
Reflecting on her journey, Victoria is grateful for the opportunities that her hard work has brought her and is determined to empower others through her success. She hopes to inspire other girls, especially Black girls, to believe in themselves and their potential for success.
As she embarks on this new chapter at Yale University, Victoria remains focused on paving the way for others and being a source of encouragement and inspiration. Her dedication to academic excellence and community service has already made a significant impact, and there is no doubt that she will continue to achieve great things in the future.
