How a Bengali teen from Bangladesh made it to Harvard, Yale, Princeton and 7 top US universities with 3 simple mantras
And yet, every so often, someone breaks that mold. Salman Chowdhury didn't just dream big, he made it happen. The son of Bangladeshi immigrants, Chowdhury recently graduated from PCTI STEM Academy in Wayne, New Jersey.
Also Read: 10 countries with the best work-life balance in 2025
This year, he cracked the admissions code at ten of America's top 25 universities, including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, and UPenn.But here's what makes it more remarkable: he got in without a private college consultant, pricey prep courses, or elite extracurriculars handed to him on a silver platter.Instead, he credits his family's grounding approach, small things done consistently over time.
In an article for CNBC's Young Success series, Chowdhury reflected on his journey and shared three things his parents did early on that, as he puts it, 'made all the difference.' Prioritising health before hustle Salman's parents didn't chase academic perfection at the cost of well-being. They made sure he got proper sleep, good food, and stability at home. His father would wake up early every day just to drive him to school, giving Salman an extra hour of sleep by avoiding the bus.His mother, often up at 4:30 a.m., would cook him a proper breakfast of eggs, garlic toast, and protein.They even coordinated their work hours so he'd never come home to an empty house. That structure, Salman says, made his academic grind sustainable. 'Research consistently shows that good sleep and proper nutrition lead to better academic performance. My parents took this seriously.' Letting him explore, even if he failed Salman admits he started high school with a narrow focus on grades. But his parents nudged him to try new things, clubs, competitions, teams, even if it meant stepping out of his comfort zone. 'If you don't like it, you don't have to stay,' they told him.That push unlocked a floodgate of opportunities. He became one of the most involved students in his district, joining Robotics, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), and SkillsUSA. He led a NASA HUNCH team that designed a lunar rover and presented it to astronauts at the Johnson Space Center in Houston.'My proudest accomplishment? Leading a NASA HUNCH team that designed a lunar rover built to survive the moon's harsh terrain. We were invited to present our design at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, directly to NASA engineers and astronauts,' he wrote. 'My parents taught me that you can become talented through skill development, but you need opportunities to put that talent to good use,' he added. Raising him with values, not just ambitions Academic success wasn't the end goal in the Chowdhury household. His parents, who immigrated to the US without formal American education, focused on character.Salman grew up with values rooted in his Islamic faith--honesty, curiosity, gratitude, perseverance--and a sense that success should be about serving others. That mindset shaped how he treated people and how he showed up in school, which in turn showed up in his glowing recommendation letters.'They instilled in me values rooted in our Islamic faith... When it came time for recommendation letters, my teachers didn't just write about my grades. They spoke about who I am as a person.'Among his many offers, Salman received a full-ride merit scholarship from Washington University in St. Louis and a personal call from the Dean of Engineering. He was also named a Likely Scholar by Columbia.But he's heading to Harvard this fall, with a quiet confidence that it's not just what you achieve, but who you are that counts. 'What matters most to me is giving back, to my parents, my community, and everyone who helped me along the way.'Salman Chowdhury's journey is proof that even in the hyper-competitive world of college admissions, authenticity, consistency, and community roots still matter.
(Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. US tariff hike to hit Indian exports, may push RBI towards rate cuts
Is Bajaj Finance facing its HDFC Bank moment?
Tata Motors' INR38k crore Iveco buy: Factors that can make investors nervous
Trump tariffs: End of road or a new journey ending Russia reliance?
Stock Radar: PI Industries stock showing signs of momentum; takes support above 50-DEMA – time to buy?
Long-term investing: Volatility, even threats, have limited shelf life; 5 large-caps from different sectors with upside potential of up to 38%
These large- and mid-cap stocks can give more than 21% return in 1 year, according to analysts
Weekly Top Picks: These stocks scored 10 on 10 on Stock Reports Plus
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
04-08-2025
- Indian Express
‘Meri khuraq khatam ho gayi hai': Salman Khan opens up about mindful eating, marvels at his 89-year-old father's routine of having parathas and dessert twice a day
Many believe that fitness is all about intense gym sessions and restrictive diets. But for some, it's a matter of consistency and moderation. Salman Khan, who recently appeared on the premiere of The Great Indian Kapil Show on Netflix, opened up about how he and his father, 89-year-old veteran screenwriter Salim Khan, maintain their health. In a candid moment, Salman said, 'My dad, touchwood, Mashallah, he tells me that meri khuraq khatam ho gayi hai (my appetite has gone down), but he eats 2-3 parathas, then rice, the gosht (meat), then dessert, twice a day. Unka ek metabolism alag hai. Unka discipline alag hai (His metabolism and discipline are on a different level) (sic).' He added that he is proud to see his father being fit and healthy despite his old age. 'So he has been walking all the way to Bandstand and back every single morning. We're so happy to see that. We are so proud that we have a father who's fighting it out,' Salman said. Sharing his daily routine, the actor revealed, 'I'll eat anything but won't overeat. Like say, 1 spoon rice or at max one-and-a-half, whatever vegetables, then chicken or mutton or fish.' According to Salman, his key to staying fit isn't about completely cutting out any food groups, but about knowing where to stop. During the same conversation, Salman spoke about how he helped shape fitness trends in the Indian film industry, noting that he was one of the early actors to bring gym culture into the spotlight. He shared his happiness at seeing veterans like Dharmendra continue to prioritise their health. Deepika Sharma, a Delhi-based personal trainer with a focus on functional nutrition, tells 'Yes, it can. Eating less of everything is often easier to follow than strict diets. Portion control allows people to enjoy different foods while keeping their calorie intake in check. It helps with weight management and reduces the chances of overeating. You don't need to avoid entire food groups if you're eating reasonable amounts and staying active.' Sharma says that both genetics and lifestyle choices matter when someone reached old age. 'Genetics set a base for metabolism, but lifestyle plays a big role in how it functions over time,' she stresses. Sharma adds that someone like Salim Khan likely benefits from good genes, but his ability to stay active and eat well even at 89 shows the importance of daily habits. 'Most people will see their metabolism slow down with age unless they maintain movement and adjust their diet.' According to the expert, small portions are a good start, but not all foods are equal. Highly processed foods, sugary snacks, and fried items should still be limited, even in small amounts. 'A better approach is to eat whole foods in smaller portions and keep unhealthy options occasionally. Portion control works best when combined with better food choices,' concludes Sharma.
Economic Times
01-08-2025
- Economic Times
How a Bengali teen from Bangladesh made it to Harvard, Yale, Princeton and 7 top US universities with 3 simple mantras
AI generated image for representation purposes. Getting into a top-tier university in the US can feel like an arms race. Families spend thousands on private tutors, college consultants, and exclusive enrichment programs. Summer schedules are packed with internships, competitions, and résumé-building boot message is clear: if you want a shot at the Ivy League, you'd better have every advantage money can buy. And yet, every so often, someone breaks that mold. Salman Chowdhury didn't just dream big, he made it happen. The son of Bangladeshi immigrants, Chowdhury recently graduated from PCTI STEM Academy in Wayne, New Jersey. Also Read: 10 countries with the best work-life balance in 2025 This year, he cracked the admissions code at ten of America's top 25 universities, including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, and here's what makes it more remarkable: he got in without a private college consultant, pricey prep courses, or elite extracurriculars handed to him on a silver he credits his family's grounding approach, small things done consistently over time. In an article for CNBC's Young Success series, Chowdhury reflected on his journey and shared three things his parents did early on that, as he puts it, 'made all the difference.' Prioritising health before hustle Salman's parents didn't chase academic perfection at the cost of well-being. They made sure he got proper sleep, good food, and stability at home. His father would wake up early every day just to drive him to school, giving Salman an extra hour of sleep by avoiding the mother, often up at 4:30 a.m., would cook him a proper breakfast of eggs, garlic toast, and even coordinated their work hours so he'd never come home to an empty house. That structure, Salman says, made his academic grind sustainable. 'Research consistently shows that good sleep and proper nutrition lead to better academic performance. My parents took this seriously.' Letting him explore, even if he failed Salman admits he started high school with a narrow focus on grades. But his parents nudged him to try new things, clubs, competitions, teams, even if it meant stepping out of his comfort zone. 'If you don't like it, you don't have to stay,' they told push unlocked a floodgate of opportunities. He became one of the most involved students in his district, joining Robotics, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), and SkillsUSA. He led a NASA HUNCH team that designed a lunar rover and presented it to astronauts at the Johnson Space Center in Houston.'My proudest accomplishment? Leading a NASA HUNCH team that designed a lunar rover built to survive the moon's harsh terrain. We were invited to present our design at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, directly to NASA engineers and astronauts,' he wrote. 'My parents taught me that you can become talented through skill development, but you need opportunities to put that talent to good use,' he added. Raising him with values, not just ambitions Academic success wasn't the end goal in the Chowdhury household. His parents, who immigrated to the US without formal American education, focused on grew up with values rooted in his Islamic faith--honesty, curiosity, gratitude, perseverance--and a sense that success should be about serving others. That mindset shaped how he treated people and how he showed up in school, which in turn showed up in his glowing recommendation letters.'They instilled in me values rooted in our Islamic faith... When it came time for recommendation letters, my teachers didn't just write about my grades. They spoke about who I am as a person.'Among his many offers, Salman received a full-ride merit scholarship from Washington University in St. Louis and a personal call from the Dean of Engineering. He was also named a Likely Scholar by he's heading to Harvard this fall, with a quiet confidence that it's not just what you achieve, but who you are that counts. 'What matters most to me is giving back, to my parents, my community, and everyone who helped me along the way.'Salman Chowdhury's journey is proof that even in the hyper-competitive world of college admissions, authenticity, consistency, and community roots still matter. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. US tariff hike to hit Indian exports, may push RBI towards rate cuts Is Bajaj Finance facing its HDFC Bank moment? Tata Motors' INR38k crore Iveco buy: Factors that can make investors nervous Trump tariffs: End of road or a new journey ending Russia reliance? Stock Radar: PI Industries stock showing signs of momentum; takes support above 50-DEMA – time to buy? Long-term investing: Volatility, even threats, have limited shelf life; 5 large-caps from different sectors with upside potential of up to 38% These large- and mid-cap stocks can give more than 21% return in 1 year, according to analysts Weekly Top Picks: These stocks scored 10 on 10 on Stock Reports Plus
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Time of India
Salman Khan opens up on diet: The actor reveals he eats one spoon of rice in a day; Praises dad Salim Khan's ‘unique metabolism', and his daily Bandstand walk at 89
Salman Khan recently shared insights into his disciplined lifestyle and family values on 'The Great Indian Kapil Show'. He lauded his father, Salim Khan's, remarkable fitness at 89, including his daily walks and hearty meals. Salman also spoke about his own moderate diet and influence on Indian film industry's fitness culture. Salman Khan is known for his larger-than-life persona on screen, but in a recent appearance on The Great Indian Kapil Show, the superstar offered fans a rare glimpse into his off-screen discipline and family life. From revealing his ultra-minimalist diet to praising his 89-year-old father Salim Khan 's remarkable fitness and daily Bandstand walks, Salman got candid about health, legacy, and staying power—both in life and in cinema. Salman shared that his 89-year-old father, Salim Khan, continues to enjoy hearty meals despite claiming his appetite has reduced. He revealed that Salim still eats 2–3 parathas, rice, meat, and dessert—twice a day. Praising his father's remarkable health and routine, Salman noted that Salim's metabolism and discipline are on a different level altogether. The superstar further shared that his father continues to walk to Bandstand and back every morning without fail—a routine that fills the family with pride. 'We're so happy to see that. We're proud to have a father who's fighting it out,' he said. Speaking about his own disciplined lifestyle, Salman mentioned that he eats everything in moderation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 이미지 영어에 대해서 40분만에 알려드립니다 스티븐영어 지금 시작하기 Undo His meals typically include just a spoonful or so of rice, some vegetables, and a portion of chicken, mutton, or fish—carefully avoiding overeating. In the same conversation, he reflected on his influence in shaping fitness culture within the Indian film industry. He shared that he was among the first actors to bring gym culture into the mainstream and takes pride in seeing veteran stars like Dharmendra still committed to their health routines. While his last release, Sikandar, underperformed at the box office, Salman shows no signs of slowing down. He is now gearing up for his next film, reportedly a war drama inspired by the 2020 Galwan Valley conflict, to be directed by Apoorva Lakhia. Additionally, buzz suggests he is in talks with Kabir Khan for Bajrangi Bhaijaan 2, potentially marking the return of one of his most beloved roles.
