Salman Chowdhury, an 18-year-old graduate of PCTI STEM Academy in Wayne, New Jersey, has been accepted into 10 of the top US universities, including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, and UPenn, for the 2024-2025 academic year. His achievement, confirmed in early August 2025, stands out because he reached this milestone without expensive tutors, paid admissions consultants, or elite summer programs. Instead, Chowdhury credits his success to three simple principles taught by his Bangladeshi immigrant parents: putting health first, exploring new opportunities, and living by strong personal values.
Chowdhury’s story has quickly gained national attention, sparking conversations about fairness in college admissions and what it really takes to get into the top US universities. As he prepares to start at Harvard this fall, his journey offers hope and practical lessons for students and families across the United States 🇺🇸, especially those who may not have access to costly resources.
A Different Path to the Ivy League
Unlike many students who feel pressure to build the perfect resume, Chowdhury’s parents focused on his well-being. His father adjusted his work schedule to drive Salman to school every morning, giving him an extra hour of sleep. His mother woke up early to make sure he had a healthy breakfast, often eggs and garlic toast, before starting his day. This daily routine, built on care and consistency, helped Salman stay healthy and focused.
“My father would wake up early just to drive me to school, giving me an extra hour of sleep instead of taking the bus,” Chowdhury shared. “Research shows good sleep and proper nutrition lead to better academic performance. My parents took that seriously.”
Chowdhury’s family also made sure he was never left alone after school, coordinating their work schedules so he always returned to a welcoming home. This stable environment allowed him to focus on his studies and personal growth without the stress that many students face.
Freedom to Try, Freedom to Fail
Salman Chowdhury’s academic journey was not just about getting good grades. His parents encouraged him to try new things and not be afraid of failure. “If you don’t like it, you don’t have to stay,” they told him. This freedom led him to join clubs like Robotics, Future Business Leaders of America, and SkillsUSA.
One of his proudest moments came when he led a NASA HUNCH team that designed a lunar rover for the moon’s rough surface. He presented the project to engineers and astronauts at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. “My proudest accomplishment? Leading that NASA HUNCH team,” he said. “My parents taught me that talent comes from skill development—but you need opportunities to put that talent to use.”
This approach helped Chowdhury develop real skills and confidence, rather than just filling his schedule with activities to impress colleges. He learned that trying new things, even if they didn’t always work out, was an important part of growing up.
Values Over Ambition
In the Chowdhury household, academic success was never the only goal. His parents, guided by their Islamic faith, taught him to value honesty, gratitude, curiosity, and perseverance. “They raised me to believe success means giving back,” Salman explained. When teachers wrote recommendation letters for his college applications, they focused not just on his grades, but on his character and kindness.
This focus on values made a difference. Chowdhury was named a Likely Scholar by Columbia University, a special honor for top applicants. He also received a personal call from the Dean of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, offering him a full-ride merit scholarship. In the end, he chose Harvard because of its commitment to public service and global impact.
PCTI STEM Academy: A Launchpad for Success
PCTI STEM Academy, where Salman Chowdhury studied, is a public magnet school known for its strong science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs. The school serves a diverse group of students—43% Hispanic, 27% White, 20% Asian, and 7% African American—with a 99% graduation rate and average SAT scores around 1300. The school’s supportive environment and challenging courses helped Chowdhury and many others reach their goals. For more information about the school and its programs, visit the PCTI STEM Academy official website.
Challenging the College Admissions System
Chowdhury’s story challenges the idea that only students with money for private coaching and special programs can get into the top US universities. Education experts and admissions officers say that colleges are now looking for students who show real character, resilience, and a desire to help their communities—not just high test scores or a long list of activities.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, Chowdhury’s experience has sparked new debate about the fairness of college admissions and the value of looking at the whole person, not just their achievements on paper. This comes at a time when universities are changing their policies, especially after the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision on affirmative action and the move toward test-optional admissions.
What Students and Families Can Learn
Salman Chowdhury’s journey offers practical lessons for students and families, especially those from immigrant or lower-income backgrounds. Here are some key takeaways:
- Health matters: Getting enough sleep and eating well can help students do better in school.
- Try new things: Exploring different clubs and activities helps students discover their interests and build real skills.
- Don’t fear failure: It’s okay to try something and decide it’s not for you. Learning from mistakes is part of growing.
- Values count: Colleges notice when students show honesty, gratitude, and a desire to help others.
- Family support is key: A stable, caring home environment can make a big difference in a student’s success.
Step-by-Step: How Salman Chowdhury Did It
- Strong Academics: Attended PCTI STEM Academy, took tough STEM classes, and kept his grades up.
- Diverse Activities: Joined clubs like Robotics and Future Business Leaders of America, and led a NASA HUNCH team.
- Support at Home: Parents focused on his health and encouraged him to try new things.
- Values in Action: Highlighted his character and community work in essays and recommendation letters.
- Results: Accepted to 10 top US universities, including several Ivy League schools, and chose Harvard.
Impact on the Community and Beyond
Chowdhury’s story is already making waves. It’s inspiring students, parents, and teachers to rethink what matters most in education. PCTI STEM Academy continues to serve as a model for how public schools can help students from all backgrounds succeed. The school is working to expand resources and support for even more students.
For families who want to follow a similar path, local school counselors and community groups can help with college planning and personal growth. The PCTI STEM Academy website and district newsletters also share updates on student achievements and support programs.
Looking Ahead: Policy and Practice
Experts believe that stories like Salman Chowdhury’s will influence future policies on college admissions. Universities may put even more focus on holistic review—looking at the whole student, not just their test scores. This could help level the playing field for students who don’t have access to expensive resources.
For official information on US university admissions and student visas, families can visit the U.S. Department of State’s EducationUSA website, which offers free guidance for international and immigrant students.
A Message of Hope and Possibility
As Salman Chowdhury prepares to start at Harvard, he remains focused on giving back to his family, his community, and everyone who helped him along the way. His journey shows that with strong values, family support, and a willingness to try new things, students from all backgrounds can reach the top US universities.
His story stands as a powerful reminder: in a world where college admissions can seem out of reach, authenticity, consistency, and kindness still open doors. Sometimes, the best preparation starts not with a tutor or a test, but with a warm breakfast, a ride to school, and parents who believe in more than just grades.
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