Prince Boadi is the first in his family to attend college, and he isn’t finished yet. He has already been accepted to 10 medical schools, including at the University of Chicago, Duke, Vanderbilt, Case Western and Emory universities.
Boadi majored in molecular and cellular biology at Illinois and found the guidance and nurturing he needed to excel.
“The university blessed me with mentors, friends, advisors, peers and teachers who helped me persevere and realize my capacity for success,” he said. “I was also blessed to be the son of an immigrant single mother with no educational training past the eighth grade.”
Boadi’s mother understood the value of an education. She became a certified nursing assistant and worked hard to put her children through school. Her son took advantage of every opportunity that appeared.
“Being at Illinois enhanced my appreciation of leadership and increased my desire to be a medical doctor and incur real change in other people’s lives,” he said.
He worked in the Office of Minority Student Affairs tutoring center, spending six to 10 hours a week instructing his peers in general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics and introductory biology classes.
“The number of students I have been able to interact with has opened me up to a diverse number of different cultures, personalities and life stories,” he said. “I realized I am truly fortunate to have the academic capacity I have. I also know that I have a responsibility to help others.”
Boadi plans to attend Duke University School of Medicine on a full cost-of-attendance scholarship.
