Bay Ridge resident and winner of prestigious award starts life at Cornell

August 25, 2016 Jaime DeJesus

Photo courtesy of Renu Hingorani

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Bay Ridge resident Amrit Hingorani is primed to make his mark as a freshman at Cornell University.

Just a few short months after being named the male recipient for New York State of the elite United States Presidential Scholars Award, Hingorani is acclimating himself in his new endeavor at the Ivy League school.

“It’s been a little hectic registering for classes, plus soccer tryouts, and other clubs,” admitted the scholar, who attended Mark Twain I.S. 239 and Stuyvesant High School. “At first, it was like ‘yes, freedom’ during the pre-orientation trip. Then when I moved in, it hit me that I’m not going to be in Brooklyn for a long time. It’s a big change and I’m still trying to get used to it, but I’ll figure it out.”

However, Hingorani’s love for clubs and science, biology in particular, gave him the confidence to take on the challenge. “They have really strong biology programs in research,” he said. “I also ended up picking it because I love the variety of activities and different sports. They also have a lot of clubs and organizations that I really enjoy doing like stuff I did in high school like Science Olympiad.

Hingorani also loved the school’s variety. “ I really enjoy the diversity of the school,” he said. “It’s so large that they have people from all over the place. On my first day, I met people from Ethiopia, Korea, and a bunch of different countries and states. It’s been great.”

There have been many highlights in Hingorani’s still young academic career. He finished in the top 50 for biology in the USA Biology Olympiad (USABO) and went to nationals during science bowls, but his biggest accomplishment thus far was receiving the U.S. Presidential Scholars award.

The Scholars Program was established in 1964 to recognize and honor the nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors.

Hingorani was the male student chosen from New York.

“I got a letter in the mail earlier in year saying I was one of candidates and to apply online,” he recalled. “Later on, I found out that they heard about us through the SAT and ACT scores first and then asked us to apply and it was like a college application.”

After a few months, and looking at his community service, leadership, grades and essays, Hingorani was selected. “It was really great to chosen. It was such an amazing feeling,” he said.

Once he received the award, Hingorani went to Washington D.C. with the other winners in June for a medallion ceremony presented by the Secretary of Education John King Jr. at the U.S. Department of Education. Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Tim Kaine was also in attendance.

“We talked to them about the education system and other issues to be addressed as well as citizenship,” he said. “We all come from different backgrounds so it was great talking about those issues.”

When he’s not playing soccer or indulging in his numerous hobbies, giving back has also played a huge role in Hingorani’s life. “It’s really important to give back to the community in whatever ways it’s feasible for people,” he said. “I enjoy it. My favorite experience is when I went to Trinidad this past December and helped with an eye care clinic there. That was a great experience. Everyone was so grateful.”

Although it’s early to think of a career path, Higorani is confident that biology will be a part of it. “I didn’t like biology until sophomore year when I started taking biology electives in my school. I really got into it. I did science bowl biology,” he added. “Everything works together and makes sense. You could explain how everything happens around you with biology and also there’s so much discovery.

He also stated that he owed his success to his parents. “My dad is a surgeon. He got me into medicine and biology,” he said. “My mom has always been there supporting me, driving me to all these activities, sports games. She helped answer questions I’ve had with homework. I look up to both of them so much.”