Local Students Achieve Ivy League Dreams
Alisha Yocum
With Ivy League acceptance rates hovering below 10 percent, gaining admission is a rare achievement.
This year, two students from Catoctin High School (CHS) defied the odds. They will soon be heading north to join the ranks of some of the nation’s most prestigious academic institutions, marking a proud moment for the CHS community.
Michael Metz (pictured right) was accepted to the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), and Richelle Zheng (pictured left) was accepted to Dartmouth College.
Metz’s parents, Andrea and Edward, believe Michael’s interest in Ivy League began at an early age. “He came home from school one day in fifth grade excited at having just learned that the sibling of a classmate had been admitted into an Ivy League school. That may have been what first germinated in Michael the idea of attending a highly competitive university,” said Andrea.
Metz was specifically interested in UPenn’s urban campus and large size. “I think UPenn’s size is an advantage because it creates so many great opportunities through the vast array of people who are able to attend from around the world, and it allows the program to provide unique programs with incredible support from staff and the school.”
Metz plans to focus on Public Policy and Economics but is leaving the door open to future career plans. He hopes that through his coursework, he will find what he is truly passionate about.
For Zheng, her acceptance to Dartmouth College is especially meaningful. She will be the first in her family to attend college and received a full 4-year scholarship. Her interest in Dartmouth was sparked by the strength of its Biology Department, which is ranked 37th by U.S. News & World Report.1
“The easy access to research opportunities and studying abroad piqued my interest as well,” Zheng said.
Although she’s still unsure about pursuing a pre-med track, Zheng knows she wants to work in pediatrics—whether as a nurse, a dentist, or another role in healthcare.
Both agree that the admission process was no easy feat! Many hours were spent working on essays last fall, which were a critical part of the application process.
“Having a hook or a story that tells your admissions officer who YOU are and letting your personality shine through is the absolute most important part of the application,” said Metz.
Of course, both also put in a lot of hard work over the past four years to maintain a high grade point average, studying for the SATs, being involved in extracurricular events, and community service—all components that are reviewed as part of the application process.
“I’m eternally grateful to my teachers, coaches, professors, and my parents for making me really care about education from a very young age and instilling the drive and dedication that’s made me who I am today,” said Metz.
Best wishes to both students as they start their new journeys!
1Best Grad School Report. US News & World Report. https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools.
