Seton Hall Valedictorian Leo Chu Goes to Med School

You may have seen Leo Chu on the commencement stage on Monday, May 18, where the 2026 Valedictorian reminded his classmates that although they were graduating, they would always remain part of the Seton Hall family. In a speech centered on unity, perseverance, and community, Leo encouraged his peers to continue to “pursue greatness through unity” as they begin their next chapters beyond Seton Hall.

This fall, Leo will begin medical school at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine.

The journey to medical school has become increasingly competitive, complex, and demanding for aspiring physicians across the country. From balancing rigorous academics and extracurricular involvement to preparing for the MCAT and navigating lengthy application processes, students often face the path to medicine with significant pressure and uncertainty.

At Seton Hall University, however, students do not navigate that journey alone.

The Seton Hall community is celebrating another successful medical school admissions cycle, highlighted by 2026 Valedictorian Leo Chu, who will attend the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine this fall after receiving acceptances to multiple medical schools across the country.

A first-generation college student from an immigrant family, Leo’s journey reflects not only academic excellence, but the power of mentorship, community, and holistic student support throughout the pre-medical journey.

“I entered college unsure if I would make it as a pre-med student,” Leo shared. “My path wasn’t the most traditional, and there were times when I questioned whether pursuing interests outside of the standard pre-med route would hurt my chances. Receiving acceptances from multiple medical schools, especially my top-choice school, was incredibly validating because it showed me that my unique interests and experiences actually made me a stronger candidate.”

Leo pursued a double major in Biology and Anthropology, alongside a minor in Chemistry. During his time at the University, he built a resume distinguished not only by academic achievement, but by meaningful service, mentorship, leadership, and interdisciplinary exploration.

His experiences included four years volunteering at St. John’s Soup Kitchen through SHU DOVE, summer service with the North East Medical Services Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly (NEMS PACE), anthropology and biology research, physician shadowing across multiple specialties, P-PAC peer mentorship, and work as a Supplemental Instructor through the Academic Resource Center.

“My experiences in underserved medicine and community service heavily shaped the kind of physician I hope to become,” Leo said. “Those experiences reminded me that medicine is not just about science; it’s about understanding people, their stories, and the systems affecting their health.”

Throughout his undergraduate journey, Leo found mentorship and support through faculty, peers, and the University’s Pre-Professional Advising Center (P-PAC), which provides advising, application preparation, interview coaching, MCAT support, and professional development opportunities for students pursuing healthcare careers.

“The P-PAC was perhaps the most influential element of my pre-professional journey,” Leo shared. “As a first-generation student, it was the first place where I could openly ask questions and better understand what it meant to pursue medicine. They helped me through every stage, from developing my experiences and preparing for the MCAT to writing my application and practicing interviews. They made the process feel less overwhelming and less isolating.”

Leo’s success reflects a broader trend emerging from Seton Hall’s pre-health community this admissions cycle, with students earning acceptances to medical schools, dental schools, and other health professional programs across the country.

Leo’s interdisciplinary interests became a defining feature of both his undergraduate experience and his medical school application. His anthropology research explored topics including linguistics ethnography at a soup kitchen and the disease and demography of the 1790s Yellow Fever epidemics in New York City, work that became central discussion points during his medical school interviews.

“One thing I consistently heard from my advisors was to pursue the things I genuinely cared about,” Leo said. “Exploring anthropology and underserved medicine gave me opportunities to combine my personal interests with healthcare in meaningful ways. Because I was truly invested in those experiences, they never felt draining or transactional.”

In addition to academics and service, Leo also cultivated passions outside of medicine. A lifelong pianist and avid swimmer, he believes maintaining personal interests helped him remain grounded throughout the demanding pre-med journey.

His path to medical school acceptance also taught him resilience and patience. Although his interview invitations arrived later in the admissions cycle, Leo remained persistent.
“My first interview didn’t come until December,” he said. “That experience taught me that it’s never over until it’s over. Sometimes it simply takes time to find the right fit between yourself and a school. You have to continue putting your best foot forward and trust the process.”

As he prepares to begin medical school at UCSF, Leo hopes to continue integrating mentorship, advocacy, and service into his future career as a physician.

“I anticipate mentorship being a major part of my future career,” Leo shared. “So many people helped me get to this point, and I hope to do the same for future students navigating similar journeys.”
For students hoping to pursue professional school in the future, Leo offers one piece of advice above all else:

“Be proactive. Pursue advising and mentorship, pursue your interests, and take ownership of your journey. Many opportunities are only one conversation or email away.”

The professional school application process can be incredibly challenging and emotionally demanding for students, requiring years of hard work, resilience, growth, and support. Leo’s journey reflects not only academic excellence, but also determination, authenticity, and the importance of advising and community throughout the pre-med path, including support, resources, programming and guidance provided through the Pre-Professional Advising Center (P-PAC).

Over the past four years, Leo has represented the very best of what it means to be a student leader. He has consistently demonstrated humility, compassion, intellectual curiosity, and a genuine commitment to serving others. From navigating the pre-med journey as a first-generation college student to addressing his graduating class as valedictorian, his growth and accomplishments have been incredibly meaningful to witness.

The entire Seton Hall family is cheering him on as he begins medical school at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine and continues pursuing his dream of becoming a physician.

Congratulations, Leo!

Categories: Alumni, Health and Medicine