Bolingbrook prodigy has big plans after NU acceptance

BOLINGBROOK – Not even 24 hours after finding out he would soon be a Northwestern University undergrad student, Bolingbrook High School senior Sandeep Bharadwaj received another bit of news that was a lifetime in the making.

Bharadwaj, 18, was not only admitted into Northwestern, he was accepted into the prestigious university's Feinberg School of Medicine and will begin classes this fall.

The Bolingbrook resident laughs as he recalls the unorthodox way his high school teacher relayed the information.

"It was Friday, March 22, and I was taking an AP Calculus test," Bharadwaj said. "My teacher, Ms. Sterner, received an email from Northwestern saying that I had been accepted, but I had no idea. So she broke the news to me by writing it on a Post-It and sticking it on my desk. I was so excited, I wanted to scream."

He didn't scream; instead, he quelled his enthusiasm, re-centered his attention and aced the calculus test.

Passion breeds focus and determination, Bharadwaj said, and that is how goals are set and the world is changed. He says that while attending Northwestern med school is a giant step toward achieving a lifelong dream, it is important remain humble and focused.

Powerful words for such a young scholar. But, he insists that to achieve great things, you must start with a dream.

The 18-year-old senior hopes to one day reform the nation's healthcare system and help the country's most marginalized populations.

"The impact medicine has on the world is inspiring," Bharadwaj said. "It drives me to help people, volunteer, and do things that benefit the greater good."

The only child of Sankar Sreenivasan Sundaravalli “Su” Malladi, Bharadwaj spends considerable time serving the Bolingbrook community.

From a young age, Bharadwaj was aware that he wanted to pursue a career in medicine and began volunteering at Adventist Bolingbrook hospital when he was 14 – the hospital's minimum age for volunteers.

During the last four years, Bharadwaj has served in the hospital ER, greeting patients and visitors, and assisting the patient care techs and nurses. He now trains and mentors the hospital's incoming volunteers.

Bharadwaj insists that his time at Adventist Bolingbrook has shown him that while medicine is an applied science, being a physician is also an art.

"Science teaches you about the body and its functions," Bharadwaj said. "But to be a successful physician, you must develop all your people skills. Fluid communication between doctors and patients is essential."

He says that being a well-rounded individual will similarly enhance a professional career.

Bharadwaj is a world-class violinist, having performed in the Chennai Music Season in India, the World Music Festival in Chicago, at the Chicago Cultural Center and the Millennium Park Noon Time Series.

He is currently the world record holder as "the youngest person to play a concert and release an album on the violin" and has won awards at numerous music competitions.

Bharadwaj will walk with the Bolingbrook High School Class of 2013, graduating second out of 788 students.