Spotswood H.S. senior has sights set on engineering

BY JOHN DUNPHY
Staff Writer

FARRAH MAFFAI staff Spotswood High School senior Ryan Dunn enjoys the trumpet, amusement parks, the Jazz Band, the Science League, and the Future Business Leaders of America, among a myriad of other activities, while maintaining a 4.3 grade-point average. He’s something of an ace in the hole. But planning for college is no easy task, even for the most academically inclined.

Spotswood High School senior Ryan Dunn knows this, as he has begun the arduous task of applying for college.

Of course, it’s made a little easier when you’re a straight-A 17-year-old. For example, nearly 200 colleges reached out to him before he got started.

“I have a big shopping bag with tons of college [brochures],” he said.

It’s no wonder many colleges and universities throughout the nation have taken notice of the Milltown native. Besides boasting a cumulative GPA of 4.30, Ryan has taken part in a massive number of activities.

The senior is treasurer of the school’s National Honor Society chapter, of which he is particularly proud. He is also a member of the Pep Band, Jazz Band, a member of the community service Octagon Club, the Science League, the History Club, the Math League and the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA).

When he can find the time, Ryan enjoys spending it away from academics by seeing movies and going to amusement parks, the latter of which he has been able to go all over the country to enjoy.

But for now, all attention is being focused on academics. Earlier this month, Ryan had narrowed down his choices to six: Bucknell University, Cornell University, Carnegie Mellon University, Rutgers University, Villanova University and the University of Pennsylvania, where he has already applied for early decision. Should he be accepted by Penn, that is where he expects to be come fall 2005.

His major of choice will be chemical engineering, something which Ryan felt Penn outclassed its competitors.

“I really enjoy the engineering part,” he said of his decision to choose that major. “It’s more mathematic and hands on than regular chemistry would be. [It’s] more open ended.”

Ryan’s college application adventures have already been far different than those of his siblings — Greg, 24, and Colleen, 27.

“I think it’s all a little harder,” said Lisa Dunn, Ryan’s mother. “[Greg and Colleen] both went to Middlesex County Community College first [which has open enrollment].”

Both of them would later move on to Rutgers once they received their associate degrees.

“This time around, it’s like a whole new thing for us,” she said.

Lisa said Ryan has had straight A’s since kindergarten.

“We’re extremely proud. We can’t believe it,” she said of her youngest son’s accomplishments. “It’s amazing. He’s so beyond us, we can’t get over it.”

Ryan said he’s looking forward to college, not only for the education but as a chance to meet new people, as well as to continue playing the trumpet.

“I really want to be out of the state,” said Ryan, who will turn 18 in July, “to just experience what it’s like to be away from home.”

After college, he wants to work for Merck & Co. Inc. as a chemical engineer. His father is employed there as a media specialist.

And he still wants to continue playing his trumpet.

“I really like to play all different types of music,” he said.

GPA: 4.3

Clubs/sports:

National Honor Society- treasurer

Pep Band, Jazz Band, Science League, History Club, Math League, Future Business Leaders

of America (FBLA)

Volunteer/job:

member of the community service Octagon Club

Colleges applying to:

University of Pennsylvania

Bucknell University, Pa.

Cornell University, N.Y.

Carnegie Mellon University, Pa.

Rutgers University

Villanova University, Pa.