Aaron had big dreams of studying aerospace engineering, practicing medicine, and changing lives. And as a homeschooled student with parents unfamiliar with U.S. admissions, he needed expert guidance to navigate the process. With our support, Aaron built a strategy that showcased his drive and accolades, earning him a spot at UT Austin’s competitive Biomedical Engineering program.
The University of Texas at Austin
Counselor
We packaged Aaron as someone who wanted to help the world. He had already helped thousands of students—we had to demonstrate that the right college could help him reach millions.
Location: Austin, TX
GPA/Class Rank:
Test Score: SAT - 97th percentile
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Student Ambassador, NSHSS
Founder, STEM Non-Profit
Student Researcher, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Varsity Golf
Aaron’s vision for his future is as ambitious as it gets: become a doctor, astronaut, and pilot. His career goal? To provide surgical and medical care for astronauts while conducting research in aerospace medicine. By the time he started working with HelloCollege, he had already founded a STEM nonprofit, published academic research, interned as a software engineer, and worked as a motivational speaker.
Aaron’s parents, immigrants who both earned engineering degrees in India, were unfamiliar with the American college admissions process. On top of that, Aaron’s homeschool background meant he needed an counselor who could go beyond traditional advising. His HelloCollege counselor, Raymond, stepped in to build his credibility through writing recommendation letters and directly reaching out to colleges on his behalf.
Aaron’s list of 35 schools included some of the country’s most competitive biomedical engineering programs in the country, and without a traditional high school transcript, he had to find other ways to make an impression. Raymond coached him on showing demonstrated interest by connecting with admissions officers, showcasing his achievements, and asking thoughtful questions. This early, meaningful engagement helped schools see Aaron as a prospective student rather than a name on paper.
Raymond worked with Aaron to develop his application around his Stand Out Factor as a future leader in medicine and public health, and then build his application to paint a picture of a changemaker. Aaron further strengthened this story with support from essay coach Chris Bench, who helped him transform his college essay from a list of accomplishments to a personal reflection on the drive and purpose behind his work.
After more than 50 hours of college counselor, essay coaching, and financial aid guidance, Aaron was accepted into several top programs, including two BS/MD programs. He ultimately chose to attend UT Austin for Biomedical Engineering.
“We don’t just coach students—we support entire families,” said his HelloCollege counselor, Raymond. “This wasn’t just about getting into college. It was about launching Aaron’s future.”
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