New Orleans high school senior receives 83 college acceptance letters

NEW ORLEANS, LA (WVUE) - A New Orleans high school student sees no limit when it comes to furthering his education.

He's been accepted into not one, but 83 colleges. And his story is gaining national attention.

Opening a college acceptance letter can be one of the greatest feelings for a young adult. And one New Orleans senior has been feeling good lately.

"It was very weird at first but then I got used to it and I was like, 'Oh my God, yes. That's me,'" says Senior Darrin Francois.

One after the other, college acceptance letters started coming in for Darrin Francois, a Senior at the International High School of New Orleans.

Now, he's been accepted into 83 colleges.

On top of that, he was offered close to $3,000,000 in scholarship money.

His drive to apply started while he was working as an assistant in his counselor's office.

"She had two racks of apps that she gave me to apply to," says Francois. "I had applied to my own schools that I wanted to attend. By the time December came, I had half of what I have now."

The head of the International School says the 17-year-old's accomplishments have even taught him a lesson.

"Actually, he gave me advice and that advice was to do what was feasible in your arena and be consistent at what you do and be persistent about it," says CEO and Head of School Sean Wilson. "So, his notion of being physically responsible seem to be at the forefront of what he's doing. So, he's taught me."

The 83 college acceptance letters are especially rewarding for Francois since he's had to overcome obstacles throughout his life.

"Last year, I had suffered from alopecia when I lost all of my hair. And since the age of four, I've been suffering from epilepsy."

But he pushed through and stayed active in school.

"I'm a student ambassador. I'm the National Honor Society President."

"Seeing him grow from this little kid to this now burgeoning adult," says Wilson. "It's a proudful moment."

All in all, the successful Senior says he's grateful for the outpouring of support.

"Happy that people want me to attend their schools," says Francois. "It feels surreal."

Francois plans to major in Criminal Justice and will make his final decision on which college he'll attend by May 1st.

Administrators at the International High School say three other students were accepted into 20 or more colleges each.

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