Karishma Subramanian SEBS’28. Photo credit: Office of Public Outreach and Communication/Chris Guttierez.
Karishma Subramanian, a first-year student at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS), is excited to begin her first semester on the George H. Cook campus and see her dream of one day becoming an occupational therapist.
“I was inspired by my mom who has been an occupational therapist for almost 25 years. I vividly remember her coming home from work and feeling inspired seeing her in her turquoise scrubs because she reminded me of a superhero. I am a huge people person and with this career I will have one-on-one time with my future patients, so they feel cared for and supported throughout their recovery.”
To reach her goal, she plans to pursue a degree in Exercise Science with a focus on occupational therapy.
While Karishma was sure what she wanted to major in and what track, it was not always a sure thing where she’d actually begin her college journey, although Rutgers was always on her list of college choices.
After plowing through the arduous process of applying to multiple schools and the inevitable wait for the right admissions letter, Karishma selected Rutgers, and specifically, SEBS, as the right place to begin her college journey.
“I chose the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences as it makes a huge school feel small. And I know this school will set me up for a good future.”
Karishma Subramanian SEBS’28. Photo credit: Office of Public Outreach and Communication/Chris Guttierez.
Well before she began filling out her Rutgers application, she already had strong familial ties to the university. “My older brother and my father have all graduated from Rutgers.”
“Six years ago, I remember visiting my brother, who was a freshman at the time, on the Livingston campus. We used to go on long walks where my brother would show me all around Rutgers and all of the cool features it has to offer. It felt like home already.”
Plus, she’s lived for about a decade less than 15 miles from the New Brunswick campus, so that connection is strong. “I originally grew up in North Jersey and moved to Central Jersey the summer going into fifth grade. I live with my parents, my identical twin sister, and my two older brothers.”
She attended Bridgewater Raritan Regional High School and enjoyed science classes. “I’m particularly interested in the human body, and took AP Psychology, exercise science, and human anatomy and physiology.”
Karishma originally found the move a bit challenging and it “was an adjustment as the academics were definitely more difficult.” Ultimately, she admitted being “really happy that we moved because this school district pushed me academically, for sure.”
While she nurtured her love for science in high school, Karishma also found time to immerse herself in extracurricular activities. It was there that she found her passion for tutoring, particularly tutoring her peers in math and science.
“The most significant extracurricular activity that I was involved in during high school was a nonprofit nationwide tutoring organization called Learn To Be. I joined my school’s branch of this club during my freshman year and have been involved with this club since then.”
She soon became the underclassman representative of the club, a position she held for three years before coming the president during her senior year.
“I mentored new tutors and helped them with the application process. I tutored a boy from Missouri in math for four years, and it was a privilege getting to know him.”
Although her focus on academics and preparing her college was never far from her years in junior and high school, Karishma always found time for dance, particularly Bharatanatyam, an Indian classical dance form.
“I have been a Bharatanatyam dancer since I was six years old, and it has been a great way for me to feel connected to my culture.” She and her identical twin sister, Hansika, dance together.
“I completed my Bharatantyam Arangetram on September 12, 2021. This is like a graduation ceremony for this artform, where I become a graduate of the dance school.”
See Hansika and Karishma Subramanian in performance at the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Bridgewater, NJ.
