College can be hard, and a support system is essential for success. Luckily for Jack and Jacklyn Ly, support is never far with a sibling on campus.
The siblings were raised in Camilla, Georgia, a town with a population of approximately 5,000, and a high school population of 200. Raised by their single mother, Thuy, Jack and Jacklyn describe themselves and their mother as having an extremely close-knit relationship.
“It’s really always been us three,” said Jack. “I wouldn’t trade that for anything.”
Receiving Tech Promise
Beyond the emotional support of a sibling on campus, they are fortunate in another way: they’re both recipients of the G. Wayne Clough Tech Promise Scholarship, Georgia Tech’s need-based scholarship program.
For Jack, the eldest sibling and second-year mechanical engineering major, the scholarship came as a relief. Throughout his life, Jack knew he would ultimately find his way to higher education.
He excelled in high school and was named valedictorian at graduation. However, if he didn’t get a scholarship opportunity, Jack would have stayed local for college.
“The dream was always a big college away from home,” said Jack. “But I was also prepared to go to community college and work through it if I didn’t get some kind of scholarship to Tech — I just couldn’t pay for it otherwise. I had some savings from working throughout high school that would have covered the first year or so, but then what?”
Jacklyn also secured valedictorian status in her class. When it came to college, she hadn’t thought about how she would pay for it. However, both she and Jack were determined to make it happen.
“Not everyone gets to go to college, but I always knew I had the support and ability to do so. It’s not lost on me that I am lucky to have grown up around that,” Jacklyn said. “Even if I wasn’t sure how we would pay for it, Jack was very convincing that it would work out.”
Jack added that despite his outward reassurance for Jacklyn, he was worried on her behalf. Though he would have stayed in Camilla for college to save money, he wanted Jacklyn to experience what he had found at Tech — community, strong academics, and a thriving social scene.
“I wasn’t sure if she would get the scholarship too,” he recalled. “But I was ready to pay for it, to use my savings, ask family members, take on loans — to do whatever we needed to do, and get back on our feet later to make sure she could come here.”
But Jacklyn ultimately received the scholarship, too. Though the siblings were both relieved, no one was more elated than their mother.
“She was ecstatic. Of course, she was the one who was thinking about the financial burden the most in the background, even more than me,” said Jack. “So, knowing she didn’t have to worry about either of us really helped her out.”
Adjusting to Tech
Now at Tech, both siblings are finding their footing outside of their hometown. Jacklyn was initially scared to make the adjustment to Atlanta but has found comfort in the buzz of the big city.
“Tech was kind of low on my list because I like a small-town feel,” she said. “But now I’m here and I realized I really love Atlanta — there’s so many people here, and I’m a people person. There’s always someone new to talk to.”
Jack worked at Cleaver-Brooks over the summer as a mechanical engineering intern and has been enjoying his time at Tech so far. His dreams of college began as an avenue to continue the pursuit of knowledge, and it’s paying off so far.
“This was always the goal,” he said. “I love learning — about how things work, about life, people, and myself.”
He hopes to pursue an engineering role that allows him to travel and work with people. Jacklyn is still finding where her interests lie but currently plans to pursue accounting.
Contribute Today to Transform Tomorrow
Jack and Jacklyn’s experiences are made possible by contributions to Transforming Tomorrow: The Campaign for Georgia Tech. Thanks to the support of alumni and friends, this comprehensive campaign is bringing unparalleled advancements to the Institute and building a foundation to support our students, advance our research and innovation, enhance our campus and our community, and expand our impact at home and around the world. To learn more and support the campaign, visit https://transformingtomorrow.gatech.edu/
