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An East Oakland teen with a sky-high 4.3 GPA pulled off the ultimate academic sweep — getting accepted into all 31 colleges he applied to before choosing Louisiana State University to chase his dream of becoming a doctor.
Dominic Antoine Jr., the 18-year-old Fremont High School senior affectionately known as “Pooda,” revealed on May 1 — National College Decision Day — that he’ll be heading to LSU after weighing an eye-popping list of top schools.
“I applied for biology with pre-med track,” Antoine told KTVU.
The overachieving teen said narrowing down his options was no easy feat since every school gave the same answer.
“No rejections!” Antoine said proudly.
His stacked shortlist included powerhouse public universities UCLA and UC Berkeley, which regularly battle for top national rankings.
Antoine also used the Common Black College Application to cast a wide net, applying to dozens of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Among the schools making his final cut were Howard University, Tennessee State University, Morgan State University, and Syracuse University.
But in the end, the senior said LSU came out on top.
“I knew where my heart was, and I trusted my gut,” Antoine said.
Antoine previously told KTVU that LSU was the first school to accept him — and sweetened the deal with a top-tier merit-based scholarship package.
Antoine’s success wasn’t limited to the classroom at Fremont, which faces numerous problems such as low reading and graduation levels.
“There was something about him,” Coach Derek Smith told KTVU, saying he recognized Antoine’s potential the first time he saw him play as a middle schooler.
Fremont High principal Nidya Baez said the standout senior also prioritized others, noting, “He fights for inclusion of students with disabilities in activities and goes out of his way to make them feel welcomed.”
College and Career Readiness Specialist Jaliza Collins said colleges that accepted Antoine recognized his light.
“He also leads with empathy and humility, which makes him that much more special,” Collins said.
While some schools showed interest in his basketball skills, Antoine said academics remained his top priority.
The multi-sport athlete, who also competed in football and track, said his experiences with sports injuries fueled his dream of becoming an orthopedic surgeon.
“A lot of back and forward to orthopedics, getting MRIs, getting x-rays, getting checkups,” Antoine said.
“I feel so relieved after being helped.”
The Oakland native, who is the second of six children, credited his family’s support and love.
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