As a student from Hong Kong applying to US universities, I quickly became aware of how competitive the process could be. At my secondary school, many classmates were already building impressive profiles through debate championships, research programs, and international STEM competitions. In comparison, I often felt behind. I was interested in science and research, but I struggled to find opportunities that allowed me to explore those interests in a meaningful way.

AlgoEd changed that. Through AlgoEd’s competitions, I finally found a platform where I could explore my interests while building meaningful achievements. I participated in several science-related competitions aligned with my passion for bioengineering, including the UCLA Global Medical Brigades Science & Medicine Competition and the Harvard Undergraduate Research Journal Research Competition. These experiences pushed me to dive deeper into research, collaborate with teammates, and develop ideas that extended beyond the classroom.

Even when I didn’t win, each competition strengthened my academic narrative and helped connect the different pieces of my profile. Instead of feeling like I lacked direction, I began to build a clear story around my interest in biomedical science.

Looking back, these experiences played an important role in shaping my application and giving me confidence in my academic interests. Today, I’m grateful to say that I’ve committed to Dartmouth’s Class of 2030 through Early Decision.

For me, participating in these competitions wasn’t just about building a stronger application—it was about discovering what I genuinely enjoyed learning.

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