Zachary McLennan is set to become the latest Hamilton College pupil to live the American dream after accepting a place at Princeton University in New Jersey. The Crossford youngster will head across the Atlantic in August to begin a pre-med course as part of his medical studies.
Although he was offered places at four universities to study medicine in Scotland, the lure of the USA proved too strong to ignore. By joining the prestigious Ivy League university, Zachary follows in the footsteps of Benedict Nevo, who took up his place at Columbia University in New York last year.
Zachary’s achievement is all the more noteworthy given he had to cope with the trauma of losing his father while in his final year at Hamilton College. 'Just before my final year of secondary school my dad was diagnosed with cancer, and died in late 2024,' he said. 'During this time, I was sitting the UCAT exam, completing UCAS applications and interviewing for medical schools in Scotland on top of completing my Advanced Highers.'
After completing his Advanced Highers, Zachary decided to take a gap year during which he travelled through Europe and undertook the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Genetics: Applications and Analysis course. He then applied to Ivy League universities, which involved sitting the SAT exam, interviews with various universities and the lengthy application process.
The Princeton campus combined with the curriculum was a key factor in his decision. He is looking forward to being within an easy commute across the Hudson River to New York City when time allows for exploring the Big Apple. 'I really liked the feel of the place when I went to visit,' he said. 'I’m obviously going to be based in New Jersey at the Princeton campus but New York City is close by and I’m really looking forward to making some trips there.'
Head Teacher Praises Resilience
Praising Zachary’s resilience and thirst for knowledge, head teacher Richard Charman said: 'When you see a pupil gain a place at a university like Princeton, it’s easy to focus on the destination. What I am most proud of is the journey Zachary has been on to get there. He has embraced all his opportunities and challenged himself. This achievement reflects years of hard work, resilience and a genuine love of learning.'
'We often talk about helping young people discover what they are capable of. Zachary has done exactly that, and everyone at Hamilton College is delighted to see him take this exciting next step,' Charman added.
