The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has an acceptance rate of 4.1%. The Questbridge scholarship has over 16,000 annual applicants. Only about 6,000 of those become finalists for the scholarship. Only a little over 1,000 scholarship applicants match with their school.

Yet one senior at Central Hardin has defied all the odds against him and was accepted into MIT as well as matching a school for the Questbridge Scholarship. This senior’s name is Cameron Miller and this is his story on how he was accepted into MIT with an amazing scholarship opportunity.

Miller is currently studying at The Gatton Academy at Western Kentucky University, described on WKU’s website as follows:, “Those who attend finish their junior and senior years of high school while they start college. Conducting research with professors, studying abroad, and attending college classes are just a few of the opportunities our students explore during their 2-year career at Gatton. While challenged academically, our students thrive in a supportive environment designed just for them and make lifelong friends.”

“Cameron has always had a knack for math, he is driven and has worked very hard to get where he is. We are all super proud of him for receiving the Questbridge Scholarship. He has really enjoyed being a part of the Academic team at CHHS,” Jimmy Miller, Cameron Miller’s dad and biggest fan, said.

Miller applied for the Questbridge Scholarship as a senior. This is a very competitive scholarship and relies highly on grades, GPA, and extracurricular activities. Questbridge also pays any college application fees needed.

“He told me in the fall that he was trying for a national scholarship and would be ranking schools and if he got the scholarship it would be a full ride to his top school, which for him was MIT,” April York, Cameron’s Academic team advisor, said.

Miller applied for this scholarship in March and continued to keep up his studies until Dec. 1 when he learned that he had been selected.

“I was as excited as anyone else might be. I was in my dorm and went to the commons we all share to tell everyone,” Miller said.

His acceptance to MIT is an exciting adventure he is soon to embark on.

“I have declared my majors as math and computer science,” Miller said.

Even with his academic stardom, Miller still seems to be down-to-earth. Miller said he kept a good well-rounded extracurricular base to show how he can be a leader but also follow behind a great plan and be a team player. Miller participated in the Academic Team, Volleyball Club, Math Club, undergraduate research, and tutoring. He also founded a club called Coding Plus Plus, a Project Based Learning (PBL) based club.

“Cameron learned a lot of math and science for fun. He taught himself BC Calculus and just uses all the information around him to teach himself new things.” York said. “He stayed very involved in the Academic team even after going to Gaton. He placed 11th in the state last year in math.”

Questbridge will cover almost all of Cameron’s tuition, travel, housing, and books. What is left over is a minimal cost that can be covered by other scholarships and grants. We congratulate Cameron and wish him the best of luck with this new chapter of life.