From national chemistry champion to genetics at Toronto: Milica's story
Milica, a national Chemistry champion with a published research paper, explains how she won a place in Genetics at the University of Toronto and what the SAT taught her.
Milica published a research paper before she applied to university. Its title is "The Evolution of the Population That Plays Cooperative Games." She is also a National Champion in Chemistry and a Vice-Champion in Physics.
She believes the code to the future is written in DNA, and she wants to work on the most pressing medical problems of her generation. She chose Canada and the University of Toronto.
Student Snapshot
- Target: Genetics / Biotechnology
- Spike: National Chemistry Champion and published research
- Outcome: Genetics, University of Toronto (a top global research university)
Equedu: You are a published researcher, a national champion in Chemistry, and a vice-champion in Physics. Why the University of Toronto?
Milica: I approached my college search with a strict checklist. I wasn't just looking for a "good school." I needed a specific culture.
I wanted a progressive, liberal environment that encourages free thinking, but I also needed a top-tier Genetics program with heavy research output. The University of Toronto was the only place that checked every single box. It felt like the obvious choice because it balances elite academics with a very forward-thinking campus culture.
Equedu: You said the structure of the education system mattered. Why go abroad?
Milica: In Serbia and much of Europe, the curriculum is often rigid. You pick a lane and stay in it. Equedu showed me that in North America (the US and Canada), I could design my own education. I didn't want to just study Biology. I wanted to merge my background in Physics and Chemistry with Biology to pursue a career in Biotech. Finding a program that allows that level of interdisciplinary freedom is almost impossible back home. I had to go where the system was built for cross-pollination.
Equedu: What was the biggest wake-up call in the application?
Milica: Definitely the SATs. That was a humbling experience.
When I first looked at the Math portion, I looked at my national awards and thought, "I already know all of this. I don't need to prep." That was very deceiving. My mentor had to give me a reality check. They showed me that knowing the math is different from mastering the test. I had a long way to go to get the score I needed.
The same happened with the essays. I thought I could write them in a few days. In reality, it takes 2–4 weeks to perfect a personal statement. Realizing the sheer size of the global competition, and how little room there is for error, was scary, but necessary.
"My mentor had to give me a reality check. They showed me that knowing the math is different from mastering the test."
The most common mistake Equedu sees among strong students bound for North American research universities is the one Milica describes. They confuse knowing the content with mastering the test, and the SAT punishes the difference. Applicants who treat the SAT diagnostic as separate work from their academic strength do better.
Equedu: You were used to strict, formal relationships with professors in Serbia. How did working with a mentor compare?
Milica: It was refreshingly different. I loved that it was a "peer-to-peer" relationship.
In high school, everything is very official. But at Equedu, my mentor was someone who had gone through this exact process recently. They weren't just giving me theory; they were giving me field notes. It was friendly and informal, which made it easier to be honest about my fears and my weaknesses.
Equedu: You felt lost before you started. What changed day to day?
Milica: Before Equedu, I was paralyzed by the options. I didn't know where to start.
The mentorship streamlined everything. It turned a chaotic process into a to-do list. Instead of worrying about "everything at once," I could focus on the task in front of me. Being able to organize my time properly, and having someone validate that I was on the right track, was probably the most helpful part of the journey.
Equedu: What is your advice for students who want to follow you to UofT?
Milica: Start early. Do not leave anything for the last moment. Procrastination can cost you admission and financial aid. And secondly: Believe in yourself. When you look at the acceptance rates, it can feel daunting. But if you put in the hard work and keep your focus, everything is possible.