Pursuing a future
in medicine
About Connor Harshany
My Lifelong Dream
I was only seven years old, but I knew what I wanted to do in the future. My parents bought me a human body science toy which came with a book about the organs and a model that you could take out the squishy organs and reassemble them in the body frame. I loved it and read every word multiple times. I would tell everyone who would listen all about each organ, where it went, and what it did. It was my favorite toy. My parents talked me into trying hockey by promising me the brain model next if I gave it a try. From that point forward, I knew I wanted to be some type of doctor. I have spent summers, volunteering at local hospitals and have even shadowed a general surgeon. Now, in AP Biology, the passion has not disappeared, it has only grown.
STATS:
School: Nichols School, Buffalo NY
Grad Year: 2026
Unweighted GPA: 4.06
Sports: 3 Varsity Letters
AP Courses: 11 (+2 more AP exams)
Academics: Highest Honors every quarter
SAT: 1510
Academics
(9th-12th)
Courses Grade
NICHOLS SCHOOL
Advanced Literature ...............A
AP Seminar............................. A
AP English Lang and Comp.....challenged exam
AP Research .............................A
American Literature ................ A
Advanced Topics in Literature and Criticism 1...A+
Advanced Physics .................. A
Advanced Chemistry............... A+
AP Biology ...............................A+
AP Chemistry...........................TBD
Anatomy and Physiology........TBD
Research Scholars: Thoracic Oncology...TBD
Advanced Geometry.................A
Intro to Computer Programming...A
AP Statistics .............................A
AP Computer Science ............. A
Advanced World History 1...... A
AP World History .................... A
AP US History ...........................A+
AP European History................TBD
AP Economics...........................TBD
Advanced French 3 ................. A
AP French 4 ............................. A-
Advanced French 5.................. A-
Survey of the Arts...............................A
Wind Symphony (9th)........................A+
Wind Symphony (10th)......................A
Advanced Wind Symphony(11th)......A+
Advanced Wind Symphony(12th)......TBD
UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO (UB)
Gifted Math Program (7th-10th grade)....A
MATH 141 (CALC 1) .......................A (4 credit hours)
MATH 142 (CALC 2)........................A (4 credit hours)
MATH 241 (CALC 3)........................A (4 credit hours)
MATH 309 (Intro to Linear Algebra)...........TBD (4 credit hours)
Awards
Outstanding Musician Award
French Horn
Sports Awards
-All-Western New York Scholar Athlete Fall 2025 for soccer
-Max Preps Player of the Game: Varsity Soccer 9/24
-Max Preps Player of the Game: Varsity Soccer 10/4
-Most Improved Player: JV Soccer
-Most Improved Player: Varsity Track
-Most Improved Player: Varsity Soccer
2024
2025
2025 School Recognition Award
NEVER STOP READING Book Drive
(service project)
In January 2025, I created a service project that I named "Never Stop Reading Book Drive". I recruited a few other
students to help collect, sort, and deliver books to nursing home/rehabilitation centers, senior centers, and assisted
living facilities.
Why did I decide to start this project? It goes back to my grandmother. I was 13 years old and my grandmother had fallen at the hospital and broke her hip. She had to have surgery and go through months of rehabilitation. My family and I would visit her and bring books and magazines. She was so sad and bored, but when we arrived with those care
packages, she greeted us with a huge smile and hugs. I will always remember how happy it made her. I am sad to say that she passed away in 2023 of a stroke.
I didn’t think about those happy moments until 2024, when I saw a book drive for children and thought about my grandmother and the books. I see book drives for children, but not usually for adults. I wondered about the seniors who didn’t have family around to bring the books or the means to get books for themselves.
Steps: I contacted many nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, assisted living facilities, and senior centers to see if there was a need for books, and there was. I wanted to make others as happy as my grandmother was when she received the books. I created the Never Stop Reading Book Drive and recruited two other students to help. I started
collecting, sorting, and distributing books to facilities once every two weeks. As of today, I have collected over 900 books. I plan to continue this project for as long as I have books to deliver. I am currently supplying books to four facilities.
FACEBOOK GROUP: Never Stop Reading Book Drive
Activities
MUSIC/ADVANCED WIND SYMPHONY
(French Horn)
I started the French horn in 4th grade and have played it every year since. I am currently the first chair in the advanced symphony at my school.
YEARBOOK CO-EDITOR/WORK OF LIFE INTERNSHIP
2024-2026
I had to apply for the position to be one of the editors of the school yearbook. Another student and I went to the regional workshop on how to create the yearbook and use the software. We designed the theme and layout of the yearbook, recruited and managed a staff of photographers and reporters, designed page layouts, and imported the information. We collaborated on a final product and sent to print. My team and I sorted and set up distribution. I presented the dedications at the end of the year awards ceremony known as Veridian Day.
Student Conduct Committee
2024-2026
After a very rigorous procedure of applications, teacher interviews, peer/committee interviews, and an student election, I was appointed to be a member of the Student Conduct Committee. The committee, consisting of eight students, teachers, staff, and the dean of students evaluates discipline infractions, These infractions are brought to the committee from the Dean of Students, we hear the case, interview the student, and choose appropriate solutions and consequences.
Normandy International Youth Leadership Summit (NIYLS)
-
In the fall of 2023, I applied to be one of the delegates from my school to travel to France for the 2023 Youth Leadership Summit in Le Havre, France. Three students were chosen to attend, so we embarked on a 10 day
journey. The summit was hosted by the Saint Joseph Institution and there were representatives from Brazil, South Africa, Netherlands, Great Britain, Italy, Romania, Costa Rica, Mexico, Singapore, Thailand, Spain, Turkey, Poland, Finland, Senegal, Indonesia, Estonia, and the United States. We worked together to discuss global
issues and share ideas. It was an eye opening
experience. The end of the summit had each country
create a table to demonstrate aspects from their culture such as food, clothing, music, and dancing. This
unforgettable experience taught me a global view of
topics and created international friendships.
Gifted Math Program (GMP)
University at Buffalo
The University of Buffalo (UB) hosts the Gifted Math Program (GMP), which is designed for exceptional mathematics students in grades 7-12 from Western New York, who are selected through rigorous testing. In 7th grade, I was invited to take the math entrance exam. The top 60 students were admitted into the class, which met every Monday and Wednesday evening at the UB campus. At the end of each year, I was recommended to continue the program. Now in GMP V, in 11th grade, there are around 30 students left in the program and now it is actual UB courses. Semester 1 is MATH 141 (Calc 1) and Semester 2 is MATH 142 (Calc 2), taught by Dr Mihai. By the end of 11th grade, I will have earned eight college credits and a UB transcript. I plan on continuing to GMP VI, which would be MATH 241 (Calc 3) and MATH 309 (Intro to Linear Algebra).
I also work as an ambassador for the program to help with events and answer questions to prospective students and parents.
Volunteering
I have spent two summers volunteering at Buffalo General Hospital and Oishei Women's and Children’s Hospital.
-At Buffalo General Hospital, I spent 152 hours in the Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy department. My duties were reading the daily schedule, transporting patients, retrieving supplies, helping patients get comfortable, and completing various requests from the therapists. I also volunteered 54 hours in the Buffalo General emergency room where I would take and record vitals for incoming patients.
-At Oishei Women's and Children's Hospital, I spent 44 hours in the Neurology Department and Information/Traffic Desk. My duties in the Neurology Department consisted of office work such as sorting,
creating, and filing paperwork, preparing rooms for patients, and directing patients and visitors to various areas of the hospital. I had the opportunity to interact with various medical personnel and patients.
-Nichols Peer Tutoring - I have also been part of the peer tutoring at my school for two years. I would come into school early once a week to help students with homework and study for tests in various subjects.
-Special Olympics Spring Games 2025 - I helped to direct special Olympic athletes at the stand long jump event, measured distance, and directed participants.
-Various Activities - I have spent some time around the community at various projects such as painting benches at Tifts Nature Preserve, clean up the grounds at Delaware Park, selling ornaments at the Walden Galleria Mall for Camp Good Days, serving food at St. Luke's Food Closet, and cleaning up and readying the garden at an urban Park located in the city of Buffalo.
Athletics
CLUB
-Depew Lancaster Soccer Club: (2017 - present)
-Buffalo Regals Hockey Club: (2022-2024)
NICHOLS SCHOOL
-Varsity Soccer: (11th grade, 12th grade)
2024: Starting goalkeeper
2024: Won MIP Award
2025: Starting goalkeeper
2025: Co-Captain
-Varsity Club Hockey: (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th grade)
-Varsity Track: (10th, 11th grade, anticipated 12th grade)
2024: Won MIP award
-JV baseball: (9th grade)
-JV Soccer : (9th grade, 10th grade)
2023: Co-Captain and starting goalkeeper.
2023: Won MIP award
Brown University
Pre-College Program
June 2025
Hands-on Medicine:
A week in the life of a med student.
After an application of essays and recommendations, I was accepted to attend the Brown University Pre-College
program. I lived on campus like an undergrad student with other students from 49 states and 27 different countries. Through classroom activities, labs, and clinical skills
sessions, I learned how to take a holistic view of the human body and discover its anatomy, physiology, and disease processes while experiencing a glimpse of the life of a medical student.
Erie County Medical Center: Healthcare Explorers Summer Intern Program
This summer program is extremely competitive, typically with hundreds of applicants. Students accepted to be a “Healthcare Explorer” work side-by-side with ECMC’s dedicated healthcare professionals to consider careers in the healthcare profession while gaining valuable networking opportunities and career advice, all while connecting with students across the Western New York region. It allowed me to have hands-on learning opportunities across the ECMC health campus. We explored such health system areas as: ambulatory services, critical care, emergency services, hospital public safety, inpatient pharmacy, IT security, laboratory medicine, medical/surgical nursing, radiology, surgical services, and transplantation services. I also had the opportunity to hear from members of the executive leadership team
July 2025
Employment
-USAH and AAU certified ice hockey referee. 2022-present
-Member of the Western New York Hockey Officials Association
Shadowing
Dr. Kenneth Eckhert
Dr. Alisha Lall
In February 2025, I had to opportunity to shadow Dr. Eckhert, a general surgeon. I was able to attend patient consultations, post-surgery evaluations, and input information.
During the summer of 2025, I shadowing the primary care physician, Dr Lall. I had the opportunity to observe the patient-centered lifestyle approach to family medicine. I attended patient appointments in the office along with healthy lifestyle coaching at off site locations such as parks.
9th grade
Green Key Club: school tours
Ski Club
Sports Media Club
Clubs
10th grade
Green Key Club: school tours
Ski Club
Sports Media Club
Football Club
Christian Club
History Bowl Club
11th grade
Green Key Club: school tours
Ski Club
Football Club
Christian Club
Asian Inclusivity Club
History Bowl Club
Summary
I have been blessed to be able to attend Nichols School, one of the top college prep schools in Western New York, and be given the opportunity to study many challenging courses. I have had the opportunity to be involved in extra-curricular activities such as clubs, sports, trips, research, volunteering, and music. These activities helped me develop communication skills, new interests, good friends, and a sense of community. My experiences have taught me to collaborate and problem solve. Between rigorous academics, competitive sports, and music, I have become a well rounded person with a diverse set of friends. I can work with diverse groups of people and interests. I have also learned to balance academics, extra University at Buffalo college night classes, varsity sports, French horn lessons, volunteering, a part-time job, my home life, and a social life. I work hard and care about what I do. Through my volunteer work and service project, I have experienced how one's actions can impact the community in a positive way. My resume shows my dedication and my drive for the future with the promise of being a successful college student.