From Chicago Labs to the Ivy League: Brianna’s Dartmouth Story

Brianna Chang built her Dartmouth application on persistence: years of cancer research in Chicago labs, dozens of cold emails to professors, and even direct outreach to admissions officers. Her story shows that initiative matters as much as talent. By creating her own opportunities and then tying them back to Dartmouth’s culture and D-Plan, she demonstrated both a clear spike and a clear fit. For students looking to turn effort into advantage, Brianna’s path is a masterclass in proactive strategy.