From High School Interns to Students at Top U.S. Universities
A high school internship can be much more than something to add to a college application.
For many students, it can be the beginning of discovering what they enjoy, developing confidence, meeting like-minded peers, and building relationships that continue long after the internship ends.
At iStart Valley, we have seen that journey unfold through our High School Internship Program and Youth Executive Committee (YEC). Several of our internship alumni have gone on to earn admission to some of the most recognized universities in the United States, including Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), Cornell University, University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), Purdue University (Purdue), Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), New York University (NYU), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC Chapel Hill), Texas A&M University (Texas A&M), and Rutgers University (Rutgers).
While college admissions are shaped by many factors, these students have built impressive records through academics, leadership, entrepreneurship, STEM, research, community service, and innovation.
What makes their stories especially meaningful to us is that many of them started as iStart Valley high school interns and continued their involvement as Youth Executive Committee leaders.
Here are some of their stories.
1. Shriya Bandla – Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)
Shriya Bandla, President of the Youth Executive Committee, has built an impressive record around STEM research, leadership, service, and community impact.
She has earned top placements at science competitions, conducted original research through Cubes in Space, and became one of the students whose experiment was launched aboard a NASA rocket into suborbital space.
Shriya has also completed more than 700 hours of volunteer service and founded Oasis of Hope, a student-led nonprofit focused on mental health awareness. Through iStart Valley, she has led STEM outreach efforts, hackathons, and youth initiatives.
She will continue her academic journey at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), a university widely recognized for technology, computer science, engineering, and innovation.
2. Sahana Venkatesh – Cornell University (Cornell)
Sahana Venkatesh, Vice President of the Youth Executive Committee, has developed a strong interest in business, leadership, and entrepreneurship.
Her achievements include national recognition through FBLA and state-level success in DECA. She also studies Business Management through the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
Her iStart Valley journey included entrepreneurship, startup development, and global competition experience. She later took on a leadership role as Vice President of the YEC.
Sahana is heading to Cornell University (Cornell), where she will continue developing her academic and leadership interests.
3. Tanvee Sethi – University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
Tanvee Sethi has been involved in entrepreneurship and community leadership for several years. Her experience with iStart Valley began in 2023 through the Entrepreneurship Internship.
During the program, she served as the group leader of HaloScan. Her team won first place in the pitch competition and advanced to the Global Semifinals and Finals, where they were named The Most Innovative Start-up.
Outside iStart Valley, Tanvee has held leadership positions in DECA, her school's Diversity Club, and Girl Scouts. She currently serves as a Vice President on the Youth Executive Committee.
Tanvee will attend University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), continuing her journey at one of the country's leading public research universities.
4. Deeksha Rajesh – University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), Wharton
Deeksha Rajesh brings together business, science, leadership, and service.
She has competed at FBLA Nationals, earned first place at a state science fair, and held leadership positions in Science Olympiad, FBLA, and Key Club.
Her iStart Valley experience included the Congressional Debate Program, High School Internship, and AI and Data Science Program. She also earned first place in both the High School Internship and AI and Data Science program competitions.
As Co-President of the Youth Executive Committee, Deeksha has continued to develop her leadership skills while supporting other young innovators.
She will attend the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), one of the most recognized undergraduate business schools in the United States.
5. Ruhi Desai – Purdue University (Purdue)
Ruhi Desai, Co-President of the Youth Executive Committee, has pursued interests across STEM, robotics, technology, music, and community leadership.
She has served as a VEX Robotics team captain and earned awards in robotics for build technique, programming, and ethics in STEM. She is also involved in Scouts BSA, student leadership, honor societies, music, and school activities.
Her experiences have helped strengthen her interest in AI, robotics, and technology.
Ruhi is heading to Purdue University (Purdue), where she will continue exploring her interests in STEM, engineering, and innovation.
6. Ela Adhikari – University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)
Ela Adhikari has developed a strong interest in the intersection of artificial intelligence and medicine.
Her research has explored racial bias in AI skin cancer detection algorithms and the importance of inclusive training data in medical AI. She has also developed a medical chatbot and presented her work at MIT.
Beyond research, Ela serves as President of her school's Red Cross Club and has been involved in community service and humanitarian initiatives.
As a Director on the Youth Executive Committee, she continues to contribute to the iStart Valley community.
Ela will attend University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), where she will continue building on her interests in science, technology, and healthcare.
7. Karthick Govindaraj – Georgia Tech
Karthick Govindaraj is a longtime member of the iStart Valley Youth Executive Committee and currently serves as a Senior Director.
With a focus on Electrical and Computer Engineering, Karthick has built experience in robotics, computer science, STEM education, entrepreneurship, and community service. He has also taught AP Computer Science A and Python and completed hundreds of volunteer hours supporting students in underserved communities.
His work with iStart Valley has included mentoring young innovators, contributing to entrepreneurship initiatives, and participating in the Global Innovation Summit.
Karthick will attend the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), continuing his path in engineering, technology, and innovation.
8. Tanush Bhatia – New York University (NYU)
Tanush Bhatia has combined technology, entrepreneurship, research, and leadership throughout his high school journey.
He has conducted research in genomics and AI, founded Code4Good, built websites for small businesses and nonprofits, and led teams working on technology initiatives.
Tanush began his journey with iStart Valley as an intern, earned a Presidential Volunteer Service Award, and later joined the Youth Executive Committee. He now serves as Head of Technology.
He is heading to New York University (NYU) to continue his academic journey and explore his interests in technology and innovation.
9. Karthik Ancha – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC Chapel Hill)
Karthik Ancha has developed a diverse background in technology, finance, entrepreneurship, science, and community leadership.
His achievements include winning a statewide CSTA Hackathon, placing in the Congressional App Challenge, earning recognition at a regional science and engineering fair, and leading initiatives focused on educational access and financial literacy.
He has also gained startup and venture capital exposure through the Harvard Undergraduate Ventures TECH program.
Karthik will attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC Chapel Hill), where he will continue exploring his interests in innovation, business, and technology.
10. Aveer Chadha – Cornell University (Cornell)
Aveer Chadha has built an entrepreneurial profile around business, economics, technology, and social impact.
He founded an education-focused nonprofit, co-founded an AI and ML company addressing environmental challenges, conducted economic research, and earned recognition in entrepreneurship competitions.
Aveer also serves as a leader in DECA and has pursued research at Lehigh University.
He will join Cornell University (Cornell), bringing his entrepreneurial mindset and passion for problem solving with him.
11. Sanjit Vinodanandan – Texas A&M University (Texas A&M)
Sanjit Vinodanandan has a strong interest in business and technology and has developed his leadership skills through entrepreneurship, student activities, athletics, and service.
During his iStart Valley experience, his team placed third in the startup pitch competition and earned a cash prize.
He continued his involvement with iStart Valley through the Youth Executive Committee, where he contributes to innovation-focused initiatives.
Sanjit will attend Texas A&M University (Texas A&M) as he continues developing his interests in business, technology, and entrepreneurship.
12. Neil Joshi – Rutgers University (Rutgers)
Neil Joshi combines business, marketing, communications, content creation, and entrepreneurship.
He has worked on student podcast production, digital marketing, branding, and social media initiatives while also participating in DECA and community service.
Neil completed the iStart Valley Summer Startup Internship, where he gained experience in entrepreneurship and startup strategy. He later joined the Youth Executive Committee and now contributes to content initiatives and business-related projects.
Neil will attend Rutgers University (Rutgers), where he plans to continue exploring business, marketing, media, and strategy.
Your Internship Can Be the Beginning of Something Bigger
The journeys of these students show that a high school internship does not have to end when the program does.
At iStart Valley, students have the opportunity to work with peers from across the United States, develop entrepreneurial ideas, explore emerging technologies, participate in startup competitions, and gain exposure to entrepreneurs and industry professionals.
For students who continue their journey with iStart Valley, the experience can also open the door to longer-term involvement through the Youth Executive Committee.
That means the relationships built during high school can continue to grow.
Students can stay connected with fellow alumni, take on leadership responsibilities, contribute to new initiatives, collaborate with young innovators, and continue learning from industry experts and entrepreneurs.
For ambitious high school students, that long-term community can be just as valuable as the internship experience itself.
Join the iStart Valley Spring High School Internship 2027
If you are a high school student in the United States interested in entrepreneurship, STEM, business, technology, innovation, or leadership, the iStart Valley Spring High School Internship 2027 is an opportunity to start building your own journey.
Gain practical experience. Work with other motivated students. Explore real-world ideas. Learn from industry experts. Build your network.
And most importantly, stay connected to a community that can continue to support your growth beyond the internship.
Applications for the Spring 2027 High School Internship are due no later than November 27, 2026.
Ready to get started?
Learn more about the iStart Valley High School Internship:
https://www.istartvalley.org/high-school-internship
Apply for the Spring High School Internship 2027:
https://www.istartvalley.org/spring-internship-2027
Your high school internship could be the first step toward a much bigger journey.