Priya
Priya’s Story
When Priya joined Oriel Admissions as a rising ninth grader, she already had a spark. She had participated in Girls Who Code during middle school and knew that computer science was something she loved but like many high schoolers, she was not sure how to turn that early interest into a compelling story for college. She wanted to make a real impact, not just build a resume. What she needed was a roadmap.
Preliminary College List
- University of Michigan
- Duke University
- Carnegie Mellon University
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of California, Los Angeles
- University of California, San Diego
- Caltech
- Harvey Mudd University
Oriel Admission’ Impact
From the very beginning, Oriel worked closely with Priya to help her identify her core interests and map them to meaningful experiences. Together with her mentor, she developed a long-term plan that allowed her to dive deeper into the world of computer science while staying true to her passion for community service and education.
One of the most transformative parts of her journey came through Oriel’s research mentorship program. Priya was paired with a PhD candidate in computer science and developed an original research project exploring how artificial intelligence can be used to promote equity in education. This project became a cornerstone of her academic identity and gave her the confidence to present her work at a regional symposium, a moment she later described as pivotal.
At the same time, Oriel helped Priya secure several competitive internships. She spent one summer working with a local edtech startup, where she helped design software tools for remote learners. The following year, she interned with a nonprofit focused on expanding digital literacy in underserved communities. There, she helped build out a youth coding curriculum, which was a project that connected perfectly with her experience in Girls Who Code and her growing interest in educational technology.
Back at school, Priya launched a peer tutoring initiative to support underrepresented students in STEM and later organized a virtual coding bootcamp for middle school girls in her area. With every new initiative, she found new ways to connect her love of tech with her commitment to inclusion and mentorship.
Results
By senior year, Priya had built a compelling portfolio that told a clear and authentic story that was rooted in curiosity, service, and leadership. She did not just participate in activities; she built things, led projects, and made a difference. Her personal statement reflected that, weaving together her research, community work, and internships into a narrative that was uniquely her own.
Priya ultimately earned admission to several top computer science programs and chose to attend the University of California, Berkeley.
