JEE Advanced 2017 Topper AIR 10 not opting for IIT; bags 100% scholarship to study abroad

Lakshya Sharma from Lucknow emerged as one of the toppers of JEE Advanced 2017 and secured an All India Rank 10 in the exam. Lakshya is the only topper from the IIT Kanpur zone to have made it to the list of Top 10 toppers in JEE Advanced 2017. But, unlike most of the JEE toppers who dream to join the premiers IITs, this topper has a different plan. With a 100% scholarship worth atleast Rs. 2 crore, Lakshya will be pursuing his dual degree course in engineering in Computer Science and Physics at the University of Pennsylvania.

According to Lakshya, studying at the University of Pennsylvania has always been his dream. Besides this, He aims to pursue research in the future. He said, “I have always been interested in studying at the University of Pennsylvania because of the great level of facilities available there for Undergraduate Level. Further studies will be done abroad too. I wish to do research in theoretical physics. My interest in research was ignited while reading Encyclopedia, a habit that was inculcated by my father in me at a very young age while I was just in class 6th. My curiosity kept on increasing and I continued reading more and more.”

His reason for studying in the US is his desire to contribute to the society and leave his mark on the world. He wants to do something more in life than just to have a white-collar job in some blue-chip company.

Lakshya stated that after performing well in the examinations conducted by the American College Board, he was selected for the scholarship. Besides winning a Gold medal for the nation in IJSO 2015, he won a Bronze Medal in the Astronomy Olympiad and achieved am All India 13^th Rank in the prestigious Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojna (KVPY).

The 17 year old secured a perfect 800 score in three SAT subject tests (Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics II), an ACT composite score of 35 out of 36 and a TOEFL score of 115 out of 120.

“My mother is my biggest strength”

For Lakshya Sharma, his mother Alka Sharma is his biggest strength and inspiration. She stayed with Lakshya in Kota for two years and continued to support him in acquiring his goal at every step. “Her being with me throughout this time was the biggest motivation for me and kept me moving ahead in the direction of my targets”.

Success Mantra:                

Lakshya’s mantra of success is consistency in studies. He shared, “ I study regularly because only this would help you realize your dreams. I complete daily homework. If for some reason the homework remains incomplete,  I make sure to complete it the next day devoting extra time”.  He believes that regular studies help students perform consistently. There should be sports and other activities but nothing should be done at the cost of studies. Even though he missed out on a lot of classes due to his Olympiads exams, he managed to cover up the entire syllabus later only due to his dedication.

Lakshya is fond of music, likes participating in quiz competitions and plays synthesizer whenever he gets time to relax and refresh himself. Not only this, he also likes gazing the stars from his telescope. Over the years, this fascination has turned into one of his passions.

Currently in Canada, Lakshya will be joining the University of Pennsylvania in August. His father is a Chartered Accountant while his mother is a postgraduate in Zoology. His elder sister is pursuing medicine at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.

Also read:

Success Mantras of JEE Advanced 2017 Toppers

JEE Advanced 2017: Know Toppers

JEE Advanced 2017 Topper AIR 1 Sarvesh Mehtani got inspired by 3 idiots

JEE Advanced 2017 Topper AIR 12 Yatish Agarwal

JEE Advanced 2017 Topper AIR 15 Aman Kansal

IIT Qualifying Marks & Criteria for JEE Advanced 2017

JEE Advanced 2017: Know your score card