From Mathematics Graduates to Ivy League Doctoral Candidates: The Inspiring Journey of Mónica Colón Vargas and Geraldo Enrique Soto Rosa

Mathematical Achievements and Love Story of Monica Colon Vargas and Geraldo Enrique Soto Rosa

In a world where numbers and equations are often seen as cold and abstract, Monica Colon Vargas and Geraldo Enrique Soto Rosa have found much more in math. These two individuals recently graduated with a master’s degree, with an impressive average of 4.00 points, from the Department of Mathematical Sciences at the Mayaguez Campus (RUM). In a beautiful twist of fate, they also joined their lives in marriage during the same emotional weekend. Furthermore, they have been admitted to pursue a doctorate at Brown University, a prestigious Ivy League institution.

A Journey that Began in the Classroom

Although both Monica and Geraldo are from Mocanos, it was in the classrooms of the Colegio de Mayaguez where their paths crossed. They were studying for their baccalaureate degree in the Department of Mathematical Sciences. Since then, their relationship has blossomed into a constant source of mutual support and motivation. “It is a very big achievement. We have been studying together since our undergraduate years. He helped me in some classes and I helped him in others. We initially planned to go straight for a Ph.D. after high school, but we decided to pursue a master’s degree to explore different areas of focus. It turned out to be the best decision, especially considering the challenges posed by COVID-19 for online doctoral studies. Completing our master’s degrees has been incredibly enriching and beneficial for both of us, both academically and professionally. And now, we are getting married and embarking on our doctorate journey!” said Monica, who graduated from the Statistics Program with a Master’s in Mathematical Sciences.

Geraldo added, “I feel incredibly happy to share all these achievements with her, starting from high school, our internships, and the conferences we attended abroad. We were together in almost all of our master’s classes, supporting each other and actively participating in department activities. Everyone already knew us.” Geraldo graduated from the Pure Mathematics Program with a Master’s in Mathematical Sciences.

A Significant Step Towards a Bright Future

For Geraldo, obtaining a university education represents a significant milestone. He is the pioneer in his family when it comes to pursuing studies beyond high school. “It is a very important achievement because I come from a family where I am practically the first to pursue studies beyond the fourth year. I was the first to obtain a bachelor’s degree and now I have a master’s degree,” he shared.

A Journey Fueled by Passion and Determination

Monica and Geraldo began their academic journey at UPRM in 2015, unknowingly starting their first year of high school in Mathematics together. In 2020, while in a romantic relationship, they both achieved their goal of graduating with high honors.

Brown University was their first choice for a doctorate. However, they were aware of the competitive nature of Ivy League institutions and the difficulty of gaining admission. Nevertheless, they decided to apply to twenty universities. “We applied to 27 universities with the mindset of ‘wherever accepts us, that’s where we’ll go.’ But Brown was our inspiration and our dream. Honestly, we thought we wouldn’t get in. However, Brown was the first university to admit both of us. You can imagine the joy we felt when we received the news: first Geraldo, and then me, two days later. We cried tears of joy,” Monica narrated.

Geraldo added, “I couldn’t believe it. I really didn’t think it would happen. Brown University was always a goal that seemed out of reach. I encouraged Monica to stay positive and give it a try. The worst that could happen was being told ‘no.’ We weren’t afraid to apply. We gathered all the necessary information, submitted our applications, and were pleasantly surprised when Brown was the first university to respond to us. We were also admitted to fifteen other institutions.”

Pursuing Dreams and Sharing Knowledge

Monica will be pursuing a doctorate in Biostatistics, while Geraldo will be focusing on Applied Mathematics. Both share a common desire to become teachers and pass on their knowledge to future generations. They have already gained teaching experience as instructors at UPRM, where they taught basic Mathematics courses. “We had the opportunity to teach Precalculus I and II courses. I also taught Calculus 1 and 2, while Monica taught Statistics. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience and received positive feedback from our students. Our focus was always on connecting with them,” Geraldo shared.

A Solid Foundation for Success

Monica and Geraldo attribute their success, in part, to the solid education they received at the Mayaguez Campus. Their high school experience and undergraduate education in Mathematics played a crucial role in shaping their passion for the field. “I am a proud Mayaguez Campus student through and through. I love and adore the College, and I have never regretted studying here. I had the opportunity to participate in internships, research projects, and publications. Geraldo had a similar experience. Undergraduate education opened up countless doors and possibilities within the field of mathematics. We were presented with so many options that we didn’t know what to choose, which is why we decided to pursue master’s degrees. I developed a stronger interest in Statistics, while Geraldo found his passion in Pure Mathematics. However, during his master’s degree, he realized his interest lay in Applications, leading him to pursue a doctorate in Applied Mathematics. As for me, with a background in Statistics, I have always been interested in Biology. I was able to carry out numerous projects and research in Biology, applying Statistics. That’s why I decided to pursue a Ph.D. in Biostatistics,” Monica explained.

Geraldo added, “I believe our undergraduate education served as the foundation for everything. When I first started studying Mathematics, I didn’t fully grasp its scope. I entered the field because I simply enjoyed it and wanted to teach someday. However, as I progressed through the courses and explored the program, my understanding expanded.”

A Love Story United by Mathematics

The newlyweds tied the knot on Saturday, June 10 in Moca. Despite living just ten minutes away from each other, their first meeting took place at the University, as they had graduated from different schools. “Geraldo noticed me while we were taking an Economics class, but I don’t remember much about him at that time. We started talking in the Fundamentals of Mathematics course, MATE 3020. That was in 2016, and that’s where we first met. We were friends, nothing more from my perspective. I didn’t see it as anything romantic. However, Geraldo tells me that he was trying to catch my attention. Then, in 2017, Hurricane Maria struck, and he came to my house to bring me gallons of water. That’s when we started getting to know each other better. The hurricane brought us together,” Monica recounted.

Geraldo shared his side of the story, “I always messaged her, and we talked, but it never went beyond that. One day after the hurricane, since our houses were relatively close, I went to her house, and we ended up talking for a long time. I had a contact who could provide water more quickly and conveniently, so I started bringing her bottles of water. Eventually, people began to notice that I was frequently visiting her. Then, one day, I gave her a little kiss on the forehead, and that’s when she realized my intentions.”

A Future Filled with Excitement and Challenges

On July 25, Monica and Geraldo will embark on a new chapter of their lives as they travel to Rhode Island, where Brown University is located. Founded in 1764, Brown University is the seventh oldest institution in the United States. “We have so many things happening simultaneously: graduations, starting our doctorate, getting married, traveling, moving. It’s challenging, but incredibly exciting at the same time,” Geraldo concluded.

Monica Colon Vargas and Geraldo Enrique Soto Rosa, two individuals who recently graduated with a master’s degree in Mathematical Sciences, have not only excelled academically but also found love with each other. They met while studying for their baccalaureate degree in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at the Colegio de Mayaguez. Their relationship blossomed into a source of support and motivation as they pursued their academic goals together. They achieved an impressive average of 4.00 points and have been admitted to pursue a doctorate at Brown University, a prestigious Ivy League institution.

Both Monica and Geraldo see their academic journey as a significant step towards a bright future. Geraldo, who is the first in his family to pursue studies beyond high school, considers it a major achievement. They started their academic journey at UPRM in 2015 and graduated with high honors in 2020. Brown University was their dream choice for a doctorate, but they were aware of the competitiveness of Ivy League institutions. However, they decided to apply to twenty universities and were ecstatic when Brown University was the first to admit both of them.

Monica plans to pursue a doctorate in Biostatistics, while Geraldo will focus on Applied Mathematics. They both share a passion for teaching and have gained experience as instructors at UPRM. They taught basic Mathematics courses and received positive feedback from their students. They aspire to become teachers and pass on their knowledge to future generations. They credit their success to the solid education they received at the Mayaguez Campus, which played a crucial role in shaping their passion for Mathematics. Their undergraduate education provided them with numerous opportunities and opened doors within the field. Monica developed an interest in Statistics and Biology, while Geraldo found his passion in Pure Mathematics and later realized his interest lies in Applications.

How did the support and motivation they found in each other during their undergraduate studies lead to an impressive academic achievement and admission to a prestigious Ivy League institution for both Monica and Geraldo

During their undergraduate studies, Monica and Geraldo found support and motivation in each other, which played a vital role in their impressive academic achievements and admission to a prestigious Ivy League institution.

1. Shared Goals and Ambitions: Monica and Geraldo likely shared similar academic goals and aspirations. They may have both aspired to attend an Ivy League institution and recognized the importance of performing well academically. By having shared goals, they were able to provide support and encouragement to each other, pushing one another to excel.

2. Accountability and Competition: Monica and Geraldo’s friendship likely created a sense of accountability. They likely held each other responsible for meeting their academic commitments and staying on track with their studies. Additionally, healthy competition could have fostered a drive to outperform one another, pushing both individuals to work even harder.

3. Study Groups and Collaboration: As they bonded during their undergraduate studies, Monica and Geraldo likely formed study groups and actively collaborated on coursework and assignments. By studying together, they were able to share their knowledge and experiences, leading to a deeper understanding of the subject matter and improved academic performance.

4. Emotional Support: College can be a challenging and stressful time for many students. Through their friendship, Monica and Geraldo provided emotional support to each other, creating a sense of belonging and reducing stress levels. This emotional support likely positively impacted their mental well-being, allowing them to focus on their studies and achieve academic success.

5. Networking Opportunities: Monica and Geraldo may have introduced each other to various networking opportunities, such as internships, research positions, or extracurricular activities. By expanding their network, they opened doors to new experiences, mentors, and resources, further enhancing their academic achievements and chances of admission to prestigious institutions.

Overall, the support and motivation Monica and Geraldo found in each other during their undergraduate studies created a symbiotic relationship where they pushed each other to achieve their academic goals. Through accountability, collaboration, emotional support, and networking opportunities, they were able to reach an impressive level of academic achievement that ultimately led to admission to a prestigious Ivy League institution.