Where Did Alexandra Botez Go to College? The Chess Streamer's Education

Ever wonder how top streamers managed their education before hitting it big online? Alexandra Botez, the chess prodigy turned Twitch sensation, has an academic background that might surprise you.

Before becoming one of the most recognizable faces in chess streaming, Alexandra navigated the same college decisions that millions of students face every year. Her path through higher education offers interesting lessons about balancing passion projects with academic commitments.

Key takeaways

• Alexandra Botez attended the University of Texas at Dallas, a school known for its nationally competitive chess program
• She studied international relations while competing at a high level in collegiate chess
• The university offered her a full chess scholarship, demonstrating how specialized talents can offset college costs

Why Alexandra Botez chose the University of Texas at Dallas

Alexandra Botez enrolled at the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) in 2012. This wasn't a random choice. UTD has one of the strongest college chess programs in the United States. They win national championships regularly.

The school actively recruits talented chess players and offers scholarships to support them. For Alexandra, who had already earned her Woman FIDE Master title by age 15, this made UTD an obvious fit. She could get a degree while continuing to play competitive chess.

TuitionHero Tip

Many colleges offer scholarships for talents beyond sports. If you're good at chess, debate, esports, or other skills, research which schools have programs that might offer you money.

What did Alexandra Botez study?

While competing for UTD's chess team, Alexandra pursued a degree in international relations. This field focuses on how countries interact with each other, global politics, and diplomacy.

The choice makes sense for someone who had traveled around the world for chess tournaments since childhood. Her studies gave her a better understanding of different cultures and world politics. These skills later helped her connect with fans from all over the globe.

She graduated in 2017 after five years at the university. During that time, she juggled classes, intense chess competition, and building her online presence.

How chess scholarships actually work

Chess scholarships might sound weird, but they work just like athletic scholarships. Universities with competitive chess programs offer money to recruit talented players who can represent the school in tournaments. Here's what you need to know about chess scholarships.

What they can cover:

• Full or partial tuition
• Room and board (housing and meals)
• Textbooks and fees
• Travel expenses for tournaments

What schools typically look for:

• Your chess rating (usually USCF or FIDE rating)
• Tournament performance and results
• Willingness to compete for the school team
• Academic performance (yes, grades still matter)

The University of Texas at Dallas has invested heavily in chess since the 1980s. Their program has won multiple national collegiate championships. The school recognized that chess could bring prestige and attract exceptional students.

For Alexandra, receiving chess support meant she could focus on both her studies and competitive play without racking up massive student debt.

TuitionHero Tip

If you're a serious chess player, look into schools like Texas Tech, Saint Louis University, Webster University, and UT Dallas. These schools have established chess programs with real scholarship money available.

Balancing college and content creation

Alexandra started her YouTube channel in 2016 while still attending UTD. This was years before the explosion of chess content that happened during the 2020 pandemic.

Creating content while managing classes and competing in chess tournaments required serious time management. She had to balance:

• Class assignments and exams
• Chess practice and tournaments
• Video editing and upload schedules
• Having a social life and staying healthy

Her early content focused on chess education. She taught openings and tactics to intermediate players. This fit naturally with her academic life since she was already thinking about chess positions every day.

The foundation she built during college paid off big time. By the time she graduated, she had a small but growing audience. That audience would eventually explode into millions of followers across Twitch and YouTube.

TuitionHero Tip

Before committing to any college, calculate how much debt you'll have and compare it against realistic starting salaries in your field. Even if you love a school, graduating with tons of debt can limit your career choices for years.

From college chess player to streaming icon

After graduating in 2017, Alexandra's career took off. She moved to Vancouver and eventually teamed up with her sister Andrea to create BotezLive, their joint Twitch channel.

The channel grew steadily until 2020, when pandemic lockdowns led to a massive surge in online chess interest. The Netflix series "The Queen's Gambit" also sparked renewed fascination with the game.

Alexandra's combination of chess expertise, engaging personality, and content creation skills positioned her perfectly for this moment. Her college education in international relations helped her handle interviews, sponsorships, and collaborations with confidence.

Today, she's one of the most prominent chess streamers in the world. But her UT Dallas experience remains a huge part of her story.

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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Did Alexandra Botez get a full scholarship to college?

While exact details of her scholarship haven't been publicly shared, Alexandra received significant financial support from UT Dallas for chess. The school's chess program typically offers substantial scholarships to top players, often covering most or all tuition and fees.

What year did Alexandra Botez graduate college?

Alexandra graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas in 2017 with a degree in international relations. She started in 2012 and completed her degree over five years.

Did Alexandra Botez compete in chess tournaments during college?

Yes, she competed extensively for the UT Dallas chess team. The university's program participates in national collegiate championships and other high-level competitions. Competing was part of her scholarship requirements and helped her maintain her competitive edge.

Can you get a chess scholarship at other universities?

Yes. Besides UT Dallas, schools like Texas Tech University, Saint Louis University, Webster University, and Lindenwood University offer chess scholarships. The amounts vary, but top players can receive full rides at programs competing for national titles.

Is a college degree necessary to become a successful streamer?

No, many successful streamers don't have degrees. However, a degree can provide a backup plan, develop professional skills, and offer networking opportunities. The right choice depends on your financial situation, other opportunities, and career goals. Alexandra's path worked because her scholarship minimized debt and the program supported her chess development.

Final thoughts

Alexandra Botez went to the University of Texas at Dallas on a chess scholarship. This helped her avoid debt and really sharpen her skills in a tough program. Her journey shows how much higher education can boost creative careers.

Picking a college is a big decision, especially for creative students, and thinking about costs upfront is smart. Scholarships can seriously help make college an exciting start to your career, instead of a financial headache.

Chess players, esports competitors, debaters, and content creators can find funding for their education. The goal is to find schools that value their skills without incurring limiting debt.

Source

• Alexandra Botez - Wikipedia
• Alexandra Botez | Chess Celebrities
• Alexandra Botez | Poker Players | PokerNews