Student profile

Accepted into Santa Clara University

GPA: 3.82

SAT/ACT: 34

Extracurricular activities: The student was heavily involved in her field of interest in CS as well as in her community. The student volunteered at the Chabot Space, the Science Center, Caring Hands, Teaching Indian Classical Dance, and FIRST Robotics. Participated in research at UC Berkeley and interned at UC Berkeley Circadian Rhythm. 


Driven by the Jesuit values outlined in our mission statement, Santa Clara University promises to educate citizens and leaders of competence, conscience, and compassion. We strive to cultivate knowledge and faith to build a more humane, just, and sustainable world. Write about an experience from your life that embodies an aspect of our mission. (299/300)*



Five, six, seven, eight. The beat of the song accelerated and I led the senior citizens lined up behind me to the dance I choreographed for them. Every week at the senior center, they greet me with smiles, energy, and excitement to learn more. Despite the language barrier, challenging me to communicate my teachings through movements rather than words, we are united by our interest in dancing. Through Odissi dance, the oldest form of Indian classical dance, I am able to share my heritage and faith. The dances portray Hindu Gods and Goddesses fighting demons to make the world a better place for humans. The purpose of both Hinduism and Catholicism is to be a force that guides people into making the world a better place.


My faith in Hinduism has motivated me to improve the world by sharing my knowledge and applying it to innovations. SCU’s Jesuit values are aligned with my values to foster a more sustainable and just world. Building a “speaking glove” to help people with neurological disorders communicate, a trash can that automatically sorts trash into compost, recycling, and landfill to decrease pollution, and a natural disaster relief system to aid people in crisis are projects that express these values that I believe in. I also teach senior citizens to use computers, tablets and smartphones, the technological symbols of progress in this century to assimilate to our current world. 


Whether I am teaching senior citizens, children, or adults, we all have one thing in common: a desire to continue learning. The smiles and laughter in the room reassure me that my contributions are changing people’s lives. It warms my heart to see people in such a peaceful state. I hope to continue these efforts at SCU, one dance at a time.