It’s not often that a student is awarded elite scholarships to every university he applies to, but that’s exactly what Head Boy and graduating student Dhruv Krishnan has done. This is a rare achievement and the first time this has been attained by a St. Andrew’s student.
Dhruv, who has a 97% average, was awarded the top two scholarships in Canada – the Chancellor’s Scholarship (valued at $36,000) from Queen’s University and the National Scholarship (valued at $50,000) from Western University. He also earned top entrance scholarships for academic average to McMaster, McGill, and Guelph.
Topping the list was his offer to the prestigious QuARMS program at Queen’s University. An offer he has every intension of accepting. “I was so happy, my parents are so happy. It was my first choice,” Dhruv said upon hearing the news.
In order to be considered for QuARMS, the student must first be nominated for a Chancellor’s Scholarship. If successful, the student can apply for QuARMS. Only 10 high school students are accepted annually.
The QuARMS program, which stands for Queen’s Accelerated Route to Medical School, started three years ago with its first group of students entering med school this September. The program, which essentially shaves two years off a student’s undergraduate degree, is highly competitive with only 10 spots offered each year.
“There is a degree of confidentiality,” said Dhruv when asked about the interview process, but it was extensive and consisted of informal assessments and multiple mini interviews similar to speed dating. Nominees toured the campus and met with current students. “They seemed a very close-knit group, they shared the same values,” Dhruv said of meeting other students. They take different courses, but meet Wednesdays to hone the soft skills that will better them as physicians such as team-building activities, rock climbing, science projects, etc. explained Dhruv. “I look forward to that.”
Inspired by his parents who are both physicians, Dhruv wasn’t positive that medicine would be his path until grade 9 when he started at St. Andrew’s. “I never felt pressured to go into medicine,” said Dhruv, but when he tagged along with them to work, his interest was piqued. “Seeing people walking around in lab coats seemed like a fun profession,” he joked.
Dhruv gives credit to St. Andrew’s for helping him reach his goals, citing the science program as “amazing,” especially the hands-on lab work, which he believed fostered his love of science. The skills he learned as Head Prefect, his involvement in councils, and participation in Cadets enhanced his confidence and allowed him to seek opportunities he may not have had otherwise. These were the traits in the application process that he thinks helped him to stand apart from others.
“Dhruv is an example of a young man whose commitment to all aspects of the Andrean experience has been evident from day one,” said Michael Paluch, Assistant Headmaster, Academics. “That he is receiving accolades for his academic achievements is impressive; perhaps more impressive is that in addition to his academic achievements he is really a well-round, committed young man. He is a very deserving recipient of the various scholarships he has earned.”
“In my 13 years at SAC, no student has won either scholarship and he has been awarded both,” said Mr. Roffey who nominated Dhruv for the Chancellor’s Scholarship.
Dhruv will miss St. Andrew’s next year, but his experiences will last him a lifetime. “The people you stayed up late with three nights in a row setting up the semi-formal dance, those who you went on a Cadet trip with, the teachers who had such an influence in your life, those are the types of experiences I’ll take with me,” he said. “These are the people I can count on for the rest of my life.”
Story by Nicolette Fleming
