October 15, 2024

Turning Up the Volume for Creatives: First-year music major Justin Burgess is the first Roadrunner to have been awarded the Gates Scholarship

by Liz Mendicino ’26

Justin Burgess ‘28 is Ramapo’s first recipient of the prestigious Gates Scholarship. Burgess is a music major with double concentration in music production and music industry whose passion lies in creating music. He is a passionate EOF and First Generation scholar, and was motivated to apply to the Gates Scholarship so that he would not have to worry about college debt or tuition.  

“I was required to write four essays each with a different topic. I also had to do an interview at a later part in the application process,” said Burgess. “With both of these in mind the topic I brought up the most was how ‘creatives are needed now more than ever’. As a music maker I claim myself as a creative and with that insight I talked about different topics around that. From how I felt that creatives weren’t being respected as people, to how AI is being used by big companies as a way to not pay artists. I even brought it up in my interview, it ended with the question of “what value do you bring?” My answer was that if I were to get the scholarship they would be bringing in another creative into the world during a time where creatives are needed most.” 

For first-generation students, access to education for applying to colleges is both critical and difficult to find. Burgess had multiple high school teachers to whom he attributed his application to Ramapo and the Gates Scholarship. “A major mentor for me during the application process was my high school English teacher Irma Noel,” said Burgess. “She helped me with revising and refining each essay. I still believe that those essays were what got me that scholarship and I can’t thank her enough for it.”

The Gates Scholarship is awarded annually to outstanding minority high school seniors from low-income households across the nation, facing a rigorous selection process. The scholarship will cover the cost of a student’s attendance that is not covered by Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or individual college grants and scholarships. With a 1% acceptance rate, it is one of the most competitive scholarships available.

Paying for college, especially for EOF scholars or those who are in financial need, can be an acute point of stress. Students who have this concern or are generally interested in applying to a Prestigious Scholarship or Fellowship, please contact Rebecca Root rroot@ramapo.edu. Ramapo has a support system for any student who wishes to find scholarships within their field of study, interest, or identity that can help them pay for college, or pursue opportunities such as studying abroad. Whether you are a first-year, transfer, or current student, it is never too late to visit the scholarship page to learn more.