Updates (06/22/2008): Anshuman has informed us that he has accepted TCS offer as it came with no pre conditions.
Came across this amazing story of how a hard working talented Indian boy from an economically stressed background got an admit into Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Anshuman Panda of Bankura scored a perfect 2400 in mathematics and physics to bag a scholarship to the best technology school in the world.
Anshuman’s father earns his living by giving private tuitions and there was a time not too long ago when they could not even afford to have electricity at their home as his dad could not pay the bills.
Some time back Anshuman saw an advertisement in the newspaper and thought of filling up the application. Since he knew application had to be filed online, he headed to a local cyber cafe. After a crash course in internet, he decided to apply at four universities - MIT, Harvard, Stanford and Caltech.
The rest, as they say, is history.
March 17, he goes to the internet cafe accompanied by his mother, to look for the results online. This is when he realized his dreams have come true. Actually the results were declared on March 16, but it being a Sunday, the cafe was closed. Thats why he came to know the next day.
Anshuman studies 10-12 hours every day and is extremely focused and sincere. According to his teachers, it takes Anshuman only a couple of minutes to wade through and understand complex physics theory.
This young man is already a celebrity in his town and journalists started pouring in from every corner to his modest two room rural house. But this has not affect the scholar much. According to him, he is used to all this media circus.
Needless to say, Anshuman’s school, the principal, his teachers who taught him maths and physics are extremely proud of what the student achieved and are basking in his glory.
Now that the time has come to go to US, Anshuman and his parents are in a fix as to how to fund the plane ticket. Anshuman says he has received sponsorship offers from TCS but he refused it because it came with strings attached. There are some more offers from ex MIT students and NRIs. According to Anshuman, if there are no pre-conditions, then he might consider them.
Anshuman is a professed atheist but having read Stephen Hawking, he worships his idol like a god. After MIT, Anshuman wants to get into research in theoretical physics and dreams of formulating some grands theories of his own.
He has our best wishes riding on with him.
For more information, details and perspective, visit the TOI link from here.
June 5th, 2008 at 7:49 am
2400 in the SAT, I presume? That’s terrific! This is a really heart-warming story.
June 5th, 2008 at 9:59 am
It sure does warm the cockles of the heart.
June 8th, 2008 at 3:44 am
Hang on a sec. How can he get a ‘perfect 2400 in math and physics’? If I’m not wrong, SAT II (which is math and physics) is only of 1600 marks (800 each)…
June 9th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Good question Ankur. This was quoted in Rediff. Let me look for that article and get back to you on your site!
Thanks for your comments BTW.
June 10th, 2008 at 3:27 am
Sigh. Most reporters these days have hardly any idea at all about what they’re reporting.
June 22nd, 2008 at 1:18 am
Dear Ankur,
Please visit http://www.collegeboard.com before leaving a comment on SAT. The distribution of 2400 (in my case)in SAT Subject Test is
Math Level-1 : 800
Math Level-2 : 800
Physics: 800
All the best. Don’t mind.
June 22nd, 2008 at 9:20 am
Thanks for getting that cleared up Anshuman.
June 22nd, 2008 at 11:44 am
@Anshuman: Oh, so you gave both Math I and Math II. That’s why! Sorry, if you thought it was insulting - I was rather making a point that journalists don’t bother to listen properly these days. Anyway, the reason why I assumed 1600 is because for engineering, students are supposed to give Math II, rather than Math I (for *most* universities - I’m not saying ALL of them).
June 22nd, 2008 at 1:17 pm
I didn’t realize the comment was from that “Anshuman” whom I wrote about in the post!
Anshuman, did the article do justice or would you like to have something corrected.
Also, are you in MIT right now? Whats the experience like.
June 22nd, 2008 at 1:57 pm
To Ankur,
As you already now, I had also applied to Harvard College. I needed to submit the result of 3 SAT Subject Tests (any 3) as per their admission requirements. I had not taken Biology in my +2 Curricula (I took Statistics) and hence there were only four options for me in SAT Subject Test- Math-1, Math-2, Physics, Chemistry. I was (and am) weak in Chemistry. Hence I decided to take the combination I have already mentioned.
I had no intention to hurt you, if my comment has hurt you sorry for that.
To Tarun,
I will go to MIT in the 3rd week of August.
Update Required:
Dear Friends, you have dropped a wrong information. I had told that if there would be any condition I would not accept that sponsorship. The sponsorship of TCS had no condition and hence I accepted it.
Best of luck to everyone.
June 22nd, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Anshuman, besides the test score, did you have to fill out other applications like essays, objectives, past experiences etc.? Did you have to go through any interviews?
What would you like to tell other aspirants who are preparing to take the SAT examination.
June 23rd, 2008 at 3:17 am
MIT admission needs interview. Yes there are some essays in some application form. Score of SAT Reasoning / ACT + Writing / TOEFL is also required.
To aspirants,
Don’t be disappointed, be confident, remain focused, try your best, depend on self study__ you will have a good probability to succeed.
June 27th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Dear Anshuman,
Whatever time you have now, devote some good amount of time to improving your spoken English so that you are ready to start shining like a much-expected star from day one on US soil. Remember, when a guy is academically brilliant like you are and communicate well in English in USA, sky will be the limit for him. Also do whatever it takes to prepare for American way of living so that you have minimum hassle in adjusting and you are ready from day one.
Feel free to let me know if I can be of any help.
With my best wishes.
- Debanjan Da, Kansas, USA
July 6th, 2008 at 1:16 am
Hi Anshuman
Congratulations on your success!
I wanted to ask you something.When did u sit for the SAT?And when did you apply to the universities?How did you apply for fee-waiver?
Please answer,ok?
Thanks and congratulations again!
October 5th, 2008 at 12:14 am
Hi Anshuman
Congratulations on your success!
How much time you spend for prepering this exam?