Salman Chowdhury is a recent graduate of PCTI STEM Academy in Wayne, New Jersey. That’s a chapter that’s now behind him, and a thrilling new one waiting to begin as he prepares this fall to attend Harvard University. He’s done it in a profound way! As you may have guessed, acceptance letters from all ten of the top 25 universities in America—including Yale, Princeton, Columbia, and the University of Pennsylvania. Even beyond his academic talents, Chowdhury’s journey is an inspiring one. It showcases the deep American values his immigrant parents passed along to him.
Chowdhury’s roots run deep in Paterson, New Jersey. His childhood was profoundly shaped by the impact his father and mother had, who both came to the United States without a formalized American education. More than a focus on academics, they preached the value of hard work and resilience. Their commitment created the kind of environment that would eventually catapult Chowdhury to greater aspirations. Per Chowdhury, his parents instilled within him the belief that being successful doesn’t just mean getting good marks—it means developing as a person and building one’s character.
Chowdhury’s mother played a pivotal role in his daily routine, often waking up before sunrise, sometimes as early as 4:30 a.m., to prepare nutritious breakfasts that fueled his day. A normal breakfast would be two eggs, some kind of meat protein and garlic toast. This early assurance that he’d have a healthy start to life was just one example of her determination to safeguard his health and future educational goals.
It’s the values based in Chowdhury’s Islamic faith that have shaped her life deeply. He attributes his parents for teaching him to always have curiosity about the world, be honest and grateful, and to have a ‘never give up’ attitude. These ideals have carried him through his education and continue to influence his hopes for the future.
Chowdhury’s passion and academic success go far beyond the four walls of a classroom. He and his team were invited to present their innovative design project at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. This was a rare opportunity that allowed them to present their work in person to engineers and astronauts from NASA. It was a huge accomplishment for Chowdhury’s educational experience. The prepared presentation really highlighted his deep passion for all things science and technology. It also showed his remarkable talent for bringing people together to do great work.
Now that Chowdhury is preparing to start his graduate studies at Harvard, he’s able to take a moment to reflect. He reflects on the opportunities his parents chased for him. Their focus is on encouraging students’ passions beyond the classroom. This holistic approach has helped provide him with a broad perspective that he feels will serve him well in his college years and life thereafter.
Beyond his impressive scholarship, Chowdhury’s multicultural experiences and upbringing inform a unique perspective as one of the few BIPOC students in his cohort. To him, going to Harvard represents the ultimate path to self-making. He’s motivated by a desire to be an inspiration to others from similar backgrounds. Though grateful for the past, he looks forward to helping build on the university’s progress, address emerging challenges and opportunities, and help shape the community’s future.
Chowdhury’s story serves as an example of how dedication, family support, and cultural values can shape an individual’s path to success. He said that he believes education is the most powerful tool for creating social change. He wants to use his time at Harvard to further explore his interests in science, engineering, and the world.