Federico Rojas is one the advisors at USP. He was kind enough to answer some questions for us. Federico spoke about his passion for sport and how it drives him to do better every day and to work harder. He explained his proudest experience with USP which was with a student who had to face many obstacles to get to where he is now. Federico urges his clients to live in the present just like how he does. He really is a great asset to the team and we cannot wait to see what accomplishments he has in the future. Keep reading to learn more about Federico Rojas.

USP: Tell us about your background. Where are you from?
Federico: I was born in Puerto Cabello in Venezuela and moved to Valencia when I was 14 years old.

USP: Where did you go to college?
Federico: I went to the University Arturo Michelena in Valencia to study journalism. After that, I went to the Johan Cruyff Institute in Barcelona where I studied sports management.

USP: Who have been your strongest influences in life?
Federico:  There was no single person who has served as a main influencer for me. While my dad did push me to try my hardest, I believe that my biggest motivator is my intrinsic passion for sport. My passion for sports has always led me to try to do better and to work harder. 

USP: What led you to this career? How did you end up at USP?
Federico: I like the competitiveness that comes with sports. I was looking for this competitiveness in my career choices. I am the manager of three professional sports and it is great because all the teams are from my hometown. Then, I met Carlos about 10 years ago and he introduced me to Thomas. Once I became acquainted with the USP team, I realized that USP could be the next step for me. I love the way that USP pushes their advisors and their kids to achieve the best results and experiences. 

USP: How long have you been at USP and what has been your proudest experience since working with us?
Federico: My proudest experience was with Jose Ignacio Jimenez. It was an unbelievable experience. It was late 2020 and he had graduated in June of the same year. His situation with his visa got complicated and he was not sure if he would be able to come to the US for college. It was December and finally, the embassy said he could come in January. He had to rush to the embassy and then to the US. It was a long trip which included a 12 hour car ride, a bus, and then a flight. He first went to Mercer and then to University of Miami. He even received a 100% scholarship. His motivation to go to college in the US and all the challenges he had to surpass to get there is an incredible feat. 

USP: What is the main mistake you see in the recruiting process?
Federico: The main mistake I see is people’s belief that getting help in the college admissions process is so expensive. There are different types of plans and programs to use even within USP. If I would have known about USP while applying to college, it would have made a huge difference in my experience. 

USP: What is your most important advice for a student and for the parents?
Federico: My most important advice is to enjoy the whole process. Most of the students and their parents are stressed and constantly thinking about the next step. I advise them to just relax and live in the present.