From Blue-Collar to Blue-Blooded: A Newark Teen’s Ivy League Triumph
Angel Ortiz, a senior at Arts High School in Newark, New Jersey, has just pulled off an incredible feat — getting accepted into seven Ivy League schools. At just 17 years old, he received acceptance letters from Yale, Harvard, Princeton, Columbia, Brown, the University of Pennsylvania, and Dartmouth College.
Opening those letters one by one with his mother was a moment Ortiz will never forget. The class valedictorian, who scored an impressive 1480 on his SATs and 34 on his ACTs, admits he was surprised by the outcome, but also proud.
“I always thought one Ivy League school could be a possibility, but multiple? I wasn’t expecting that,” Ortiz says. “When I opened the letters and saw the results, it was just incredible. It made me realize all the hard work had truly paid off.”
Ortiz, with a 4.3 GPA, plans to major in political science, and credits his success to the guidance of his parents, teachers, and the support of his peers. Although he entered high school as a “reserved introvert,” the teenager has grown into a more outgoing person, building strong friendships that have provided him with encouragement and motivation.
“My parents and teachers have been my biggest inspiration,” says Ortiz. “They helped me develop confidence, and it’s because of their support that I’ve been able to grow as a person and student.”
In addition to his studies, Ortiz is active in student life. He’s the treasurer of the National Arts Honor Society and a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and Peer Leadership program. He’s also involved in NJLEEP, a program that helps underrepresented students prepare for college and careers in law.
“It’s been a lot to manage, but I’m proud of how I’ve balanced everything,” he says. “It’s not just about academics, it’s about building character too.”
Ortiz, a first-generation Latino, attributes much of his determination to his immigrant parents, who own two pizzerias in Belleville and Philipsburg. His mother, Madurina, who came to the U.S. 23 years ago, is incredibly proud of her son’s accomplishments, though she’s hoping he’ll choose Princeton to stay closer to home.
“I knew he could do it, but it was still surprising,” says Madurina, whose eldest daughter graduated from NYU. “All we ever asked was for them to focus on their education, and this is the result. We’re so proud of both of them.”
Read>>Undocumented Immigrant Graduates From Harvard & Stanford University!
Each of the Ivy League schools that have accepted Ortiz has a highly selective admissions process, with acceptance rates ranging from 3.6% at Harvard to 5.4% at Dartmouth, according to Ivy Coach.
As Ortiz weighs his options for which Ivy League school to attend, he’s focused on finding a place where he can study law, engage with a diverse student body, and share his unique perspective. He plans to visit each of the schools and explore what they offer before making his final decision, which needs to be made by his 18th birthday on April 30.
“I’m looking for a school where I can grow academically and personally,” Ortiz says. “These colleges are all amazing, but I want to find the one that fits me best.”
