Public Policy
Amit Rajkumar
He is a Grade 11 student passionate about a mentorship program focused on empowering disabled individuals and amplifying their voice and representation in society.
Amit serves as the president of seven school clubs, including the student council, Model UN, and the chess club. A passionate public speaker since 5th grade, he founded a clinic dedicated to teaching public speaking skills to underprivileged students. Additionally, he is on track to receive the prestigious Gold Presidential Service Award for his volunteer efforts supporting students with disabilities.
University admission result
★ University of Pennsylvania
Learning objectives
- Analyze the influence of cultural norms on standards for treating learning disabilities.
- Compare and contrast learning disability programs in Apartheid-era settlements and Native American reservations.
- Develop policy alternatives to address gaps and deficiencies in existing programs.
What challenges did he face?
- Amit faced significant time constraints, balancing the mentorship program with his final exams and personal obligations. This resulted in a month-long gap in meetings and required him to re-focus on the project after fulfilling other responsibilities.
How did our program help him?
- The program provided Amit with the structure and guidance needed to complete a comprehensive research project. It helped him refine his research and writing skills, build confidence in his abilities, and produce work that has the potential for publication.
- The flexibility of the program also enabled Amit to overcome scheduling challenges and successfully meet his goals.
Matched Professor
The mentor is a lecturer at Duke University. Prior to this, she was an Editor and Reporter for Contra Coasta Times.
“He is likeable and vivacious. He is enthusiastic about research, has good instincts about identifying ideas, and responds well to mentoring. He is obviously used to pushing himself to high levels.“
Mentor from Duke University
Excerpts from student’s work
Excerpts from student’s final research paper, examining educational standards for students with learning disabilities by comparing and contrasting the challenges faced in South Africa and Native American communities.
