Bogdan keeps Harvard dream alive

EDITOR'S NOTE: The Post and Courier has been following three students through their senior year in high school. This is the fifth article on Bogdan Bordieanu, a top honors student at Wando High School.

Bogdan Bordieanu, a Wando High School senior who moved to America from Romania three years ago to get into a top college, is not giving up on Harvard.

His hopes were tested with a letter from the school shortly before Christmas.

His application was deferred. That means he wasn't accepted on his first try, but there's still a chance.

"Being deferred really just means that I do have to work harder, but it's not impossible to get in," Bogdan said.

His academics are certainly good enough.

He posted perfect scores on all three sections of the SAT, and he continues to lead his class in grades.

"Last time I checked, which was a couple of days ago, I was (still in the lead)," he said last week. "Hopefully, it will stay that way."

He still hopes to be the valedictorian when he graduates this spring.

Harvard put his application on hold because his extracurricular activities weren't impressive enough, he said. He updated his application Jan. 19.

"I don't think my hopes have changed," Bogdan said. "I guess, honestly, going to a great college helps you a lot, but I think, more importantly, you have to work hard toward achieving your goals. So even if I don't get into Harvard, it wouldn't be heartbreaking."

He was accepted into the University of South Carolina Honors College and Georgia Tech in Atlanta. If he doesn't get into Harvard, he will probably pick the school that offers the best financial-aid package, he said.

Bogdan is involved in a number of clubs that do community service. For instance, his National Honor Society group sang Christmas carols for retirees at Franke at Seaside.

He has photos of himself wearing a red-and-white Santa hat on his Facebook page.

But most of his activities are mental contests. His Quiz Bowl team competed at Burke High School last Thursday. He drove to Columbia Saturday for a statewide math competition.

He tested his Bible knowledge, as well as volleyball skills, over the Christmas break at an Orthodox youth rally in Atlanta. He was raised Orthodox Christian in Romania. He and his parents attend the Greek Orthodox Church in Charleston.

His favorite Christmas present has been a Nook, an electronic reader. He's been reading classic science fiction.

He spent New Year's Eve around a bonfire at a friend's house. He didn't make any New Year's resolutions.

"I just see so many people giving up on them after two or three weeks," he said. "I don't wait for a specific date of the year to set a goal."

Valentine's Day is observed in Romania, but Bogdan doesn't plan to do anything special for it.

He doesn't have much time for romance, and he's not interested in a short-term relationship before college.

"We have six more months and a new chapter begins," he said.

Reach Dave Munday at 937-5553.