How Ethan Got Into Caltech,
Columbia and MIT
Where it started
Ethan came to AcceptU in ninth grade as a very strong student at a competitive public high school in Massachusetts. He was already taking advanced coursework, had ambitious goals, and was aiming early for schools like MIT and Caltech. He had clear strengths and a lot of momentum, but his family was looking for reassurance that all the pieces were coming together in a way that selective colleges are looking for.
- Start Point: Grade 9
- Home State: Massachusetts
- School Type: Public
- Academic Focus: Biomedical Engineering, Biological Engineering
- Acceptance: California Institute of Technology, Columbia University, MIT, Purdue University, UC Los Angeles, UC San Diego and more
- Enrolled: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
How we helped
At the start, Ethan had both strong ability and wide-ranging interests. Our role was to help him refine what was already there and build around the areas that mattered most.
Over time, his academic center became clearer in biology and biomedical engineering. Once that focus sharpened, his choices became more deliberate. His coursework, research, and independent projects started to reinforce each other rather than exist as separate parts of his profile.
That same refinement showed up outside the classroom as well. We helped him think carefully about which leadership roles, projects, and outside opportunities were worth exploring in more depth, so his extracurricular profile reflected more depth and purpose over time. At the same time, his interests in language, media, and policy remained part of the picture and gave his STEM profile more dimension.
Throughout the process, we worked closely with Ethan and his family at key decision points, helping him stay focused, evaluate options thoughtfully, and approach application season with confidence.
By the end, his profile felt highly accomplished, cohesive, and clearly reflective of his strengths and interests.
