Brown University

Brown University: Leon Zhao

Podcast Transcript

Transcript organized for clarity and readability

Attendees:
Leon Zhao, Ashish Bhargava

Ashish Bhargava:
Leon, welcome to our podcast. We are thrilled to be having this conversation with you. To start, could you share a bit about yourself, your background, and what motivates you?

Leon Zhao:
Sure, my name is Leon. I am a third-year medical student, just starting rotations. I was admitted to the PLME program, which is a combined medical program at Brown University. It's a total of eight years, and I am almost done with that process. For college, I studied biomedical engineering for the first four years. I had a lot of fun with that, but by the end, I was ready to start medical training. Now, I'm less than two years away from graduating from medical school. What motivates me is being able to help people through medicine. It's a unique field where you can have intimate and meaningful relationships with patients while leveraging the latest scientific knowledge to cure diseases. Medicine combines science and the art of doctor-patient relationships, which excites me.

Ashish Bhargava:
That's fantastic. Congratulations on your journey so far. Let's go back to your admissions. When did you decide to aim for Ivy League colleges, and what was your application journey like?

Leon Zhao:
Growing up, I always knew about the Ivies. I remember visiting several of them, including Brown, during a New England tour when I was in eighth grade. I thought it would be nice to attend one of these schools. I knew as early as elementary school that I wanted to be a doctor. It was always a dream, and I worked hard for it. But I never expected to get in because it's very competitive. I worked hard in middle and high school and aimed high. I was fortunate to get in.

Ashish Bhargava:
Can you tell us about your college selection strategy? What criteria did you use to filter the colleges you wanted to apply to?

Leon Zhao:
I applied to 16 colleges, including regular four-year programs and seven-year combined BS/MD programs. I targeted a mix of safety, target, and reach schools. My motivation was to study medicine, so I applied to several BS/MD programs, not just Brown. I also kept in mind the importance of personal fit and culture. It was a mix of strategic planning and luck.

Ashish Bhargava:
That's a solid strategy. How did it play out for you? How many admissions did you get?

Leon Zhao:
I was admitted to a little more than half of the schools I applied to. I applied to several early action programs to increase my chances. By Ivy Day, I found out I got into Brown, which was my top choice.

Ashish Bhargava:
That's a great yield. Can you share your SAT scores, GPA, and other stats?

Leon Zhao:
I took the SAT twice. My first score was 1510, and my second was 1570. My weighted GPA was around 103 on a 100 scale, and my class rank was 15 out of 650, putting me just outside the top 1%.

Ashish Bhargava:
Impressive. What was your SAT prep strategy?

Leon Zhao:
I took an SAT prep class the summer before my junior year for six weeks. After the class, I continued to review and practice. I took the SAT twice, reviewing before each exam.

Ashish Bhargava:
Did you feel that SAT scores had a significant impact on your acceptance?

Leon Zhao:
Yes, SAT scores are like a ticket into the Ivy League. They are used to screen applicants, so having a high score is essential. It's an initial filter, and without it, your application might not even be read.

Ashish Bhargava:
Let's talk about your experience at Brown. What was it like, and what surprised you?

Leon Zhao:
Brown has a very collaborative environment. People are willing to help each other, and the focus is on learning for the sake of knowledge. I didn't initially plan to study engineering, but I enjoyed it and made many friends. Brown attracts accomplished individuals from all over the world, and being in that environment was special. The acceptance rate for the program is very low, around 1%, making it highly competitive.

Ashish Bhargava:
That's incredible. What extracurricular activities did you focus on, and which do you think set you apart?

Leon Zhao:
I was involved in research, shadowing, and volunteering in medicine. I also ran cross-country, winter track, and spring track. Running was a significant part of my life and helped me develop resilience. I wrote my Common App essay about running. I was also active in my local church. These activities showed my passion and dedication.

Ashish Bhargava:
How did you balance schoolwork with extracurricular activities?

Leon Zhao:
I focused on things I was passionate about, which helped me manage my time effectively. Running helped me balance my studies by providing a physical outlet. It improved my time management skills and allowed me to stay focused.

Ashish Bhargava:
What advice would you give to high school students about preparing their college applications, particularly the essays?

Leon Zhao:
Start early and stay true to yourself. Write about something you're passionate about and can speak authentically about. Read other essays for inspiration but make sure your essay reflects your own experiences and passions. Authenticity is key.

Ashish Bhargava:
That's excellent advice. Any final words for aspiring applicants?

Leon Zhao:
Find what you love and pursue it, regardless of the outcome. Be authentic in your application, and don't focus too much on external validation. If you're passionate about something, it will show in your application and help you stand out.

Ashish Bhargava:
Thank you so much, Leon. It was a pleasure learning from you and hearing your story. We appreciate your time and insights.

Leon Zhao:
Thank you for having me. It was a pleasure.