When Kana Hutchens first saw the University of Chicago's Collegiate Scholars Program (CSP) mentioned in her high school newsletter, she knew immediately she had to apply. For the high schooler attending Walter Payton College Prep, the opportunity promised the kind of challenge she craved.
"For any Chicagoan, UChicago is like our pride and joy," Hutchens said. "I knew I had to try out this program."
Hutchens arrived at CSP with diverse passions. She is an accomplished filmmaker and founded the Connecting the Dots Project, a nonprofit dedicated to environmental advocacy.
CSP helped Hutchens further explore her interests and equipped her with practical tools to navigate the college application process. Financial literacy training ensured the family understood how to navigate college costs and scholarship opportunities. In addition, writing workshops during the summer before senior year allowed Hutchens to complete her college essays early, reducing stress and allowing her to stay on top of her applications. "It really helped me cut my time from working on essays during my senior school year," she said. Hutchens also appreciated how CSP’s summer courses and college prep resources moved beyond typical classroom environments, helping her capitalize on her diverse interests in her college applications and, ultimately, to secure a full-ride scholarship at Stanford University this fall.
"Compared to high school, these CSP summer courses were more hands-on. There was more interaction with peers and teachers. The courses expanded on what I learned elsewhere,” Hutchens said. The collaborative classroom dynamic also proved essential when she struggled initially with AP Biology. Through her connection with College and Career Readiness tutor Alexandra Ware, Hutchens learned to approach challenges differently and see how her studies informed her career decisions.
"She pushed me in a way without me completely relying on her," Hutchens said. "That really helped me see the beauty of AP Bio and see how I can apply it to things I already know. My connection with Alexandra also really helped me see what I want to do in my future with science."
Summer courses with UChicago faculty also provided individualized support. As she developed relationships with professors, she benefited from advising, letters of recommendation, and ongoing guidance throughout her college application journey.
The program's emphasis on building connections even inspired her film work. During UChicago's South Side Science Festival, Hutchens encountered a graduate student studying monarch butterflies—exactly the subject of a documentary she was producing. The chance meeting led to an interview that enhanced her project.
As she prepares for Stanford, Hutchens views the university as a chance to continue the exploratory mindset CSP fostered. Her advice to future participants reflects the key lesson she learned at CSP: embrace every opportunity.
"Do not hesitate to talk to someone," she said. "You should go for it. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out—but you don't want to regret what you didn't do. Talk to professors that you see. Make new friends. Try not to stay within your clique and take advantage of all the opportunities that CSP provides."