"This is a major investment in students that have been under-served and gives them a chance to advance within society and to develop leadership skills," Shalon said.
The director of Quest, Dana A. Cavrieli noted the high level of talent the underprivileged participants bring to the program.
"These students are the best of the best without even realizing it," Cavrieli said.
Brian S. Anderson '00 participated in the Stanford program as a junior in high school. The program gave the pre-med senior an opportunity to first develop his interest in medicine.
"It gave me a chance to explore and meet certain people I would never have had a chance to meet before," Anderson said.
Anderson said the Stanford program staff was influential in his choice of colleges.
"Michael McCullough became a mentor for me," Anderson said. "He gave me guidance and advised me to come to Harvard. He talked to me about leaving home and exploring the world myself."