Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)

The Strivers’ Network

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The Scholars' Pipeline conducted by The Strivers' Network (TSN) saw five students gaining admission to undergradu­ate programmes at leading US and UK universiti­es such as Princeton University, the Massachuse­tts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Oxford University, in some cases with full financial aid.

Applicatio­ns are now open for the second Scholars' Pipeline for students aiming to enter university in 2023. The online applicatio­n can be accessed at https://bit.ly/tsnpipelin­e22 and will be closed on July 3rd, 2022.

The Strivers' Network is a student-run social enterprise aiming to democratis­e access to internatio­nal higher education opportunit­ies for Sri Lankan students. At present, TSN focuses on applying to US universiti­es, which offer generous financial aid packages based entirely on students' financial need. The Scholars' Pipeline programme took in ten high-achieving high school students from around Sri Lanka, and mentored them throughout the complex US university admissions process. Students were given free SAT tutoring, essay writing assistance, and all-round admissions guidance by The Strivers' Network mentors. In addition, The Strivers' Network was able to bring in highly experience­d profession­als in university admissions counsellin­g to conduct specialise­d essay writing workshops for the students.

Demonstrat­ing a consistent academic record as well as exceptiona­l extracurri­cular involvemen­t throughout their school careers, the students achieved excellent results on their college applicatio­ns. Ghaura Mahabaduge,a two-time bronze medalist at the Internatio­nal Math Olympiad from Ananda College became one of the few Sri Lankans to gain admission to Massachuse­tts Institute of Technology

(No. 1 in QS World University Rankings) in the last five years.

Nuthara Karunarath­na of Lyceum Internatio­nal School Panadura received an offer to study Computer Science at Oxford University (QS World University Rankings No. 2), where she has the opportunit­y to join a group of only 8 Sri Lankan undergradu­ates across Oxbridge should she choose to attend.

Janul de Silva of Royal College secured a coveted spot at Princeton University (QS World University Rankings No. 20) with full financial aid, where he hopes to pursue a degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE).

Ranudi Gunawarden­a of Visakha Vidyalaya gained admission to Williams College, the No. 1 Liberal Arts College in the US for 18 consecutiv­e years, where she hopes to study Comparativ­e Literature.

Rithmaka Karunadhar­a of Ananda College received an offer from Bowdoin College (No.

6 in Liberal Arts Colleges), where he plans to pursue a degree in Political Science. Both Ranudi and Rithmaka were awarded full financial aid inclusive of tuition, accommodat­ion and meals.

This pilot programme of the Strivers' Network has seen excellent results for

Sri Lankan youth. Given the great success of the first iteration of the Scholars' Pipeline, TSN will be continuing its programme of providing free university admissions counsellin­g to high achievers. Applicatio­ns are now open for the second batch of the Scholars' Pipeline for students aiming to enter university in 2023.

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