Politics

He scored 53 in JEE but still got into Stanford, Princeton and Caltech: Here's how

A student with a low JEE score gained admission to top US universities through alternative criteria.

Politics desk
NRI HeraldJuly 5, 2026
3 min read
He scored 53 in JEE but still got into Stanford, Princeton and Caltech: Here's how

An Indian student who scored 53 in the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) has secured admission to Stanford University, Princeton University, and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). The student's achievement highlights that US universities consider factors beyond standardized test scores.

The student's acceptance to these elite institutions was based on a holistic review of their application, including academic performance, extracurricular activities, personal essays, and letters of recommendation. US universities often evaluate candidates on multiple dimensions rather than relying solely on entrance exam results.

The JEE is a highly competitive exam for admission to Indian engineering colleges, and a score of 53 is typically considered low for top Indian institutes. However, the student's success demonstrates that international universities may place less emphasis on such exams.

The student's story has drawn attention to the different admission philosophies between Indian and US higher education systems. While Indian colleges often prioritize entrance exam scores, US universities seek a broader profile of achievements and potential.

Politics desk · July 5, 2026
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