Pan American School Student Accepted to Stanford with a Social Impact Project

Bernardo Dal Molin, a 12th-grade student, has been accepted to Stanford University, one of the world’s most prestigious and selective higher education institutions. This achievement is the result of a journey built on a commitment to social responsibility, the pursuit of knowledge, and engagement in projects with real impact.

"I believe that throughout my academic journey, I’ve tried to prioritize social and environmental concerns, always aiming to raise awareness and generate a positive impact," says Bernardo. His experience with social and environmental initiatives began early, during the Primary Years Programme (PYP). In 2017, during a field trip to the Municipal Department of Water and Sewage (DMAE), he had his first encounter with the challenges of water pollution. “I learned that improper cooking oil disposal was a major contributor to pollution and made water treatment more expensive.”

This moment became the starting point for the project he developed during the MYP Personal Project in 10th grade, a core component of the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum. Aware of the consequences of improper cooking oil disposal, Bernardo created an initiative to collect the waste, recycle it, and turn it into soap for household use. The final product was donated to the Banco de Alimentos, contributing to food baskets distributed to the community.

The project later expanded into the fields of education and environmental awareness. “The initiative evolved into other awareness-raising efforts, like the book A Fábrica de Sabão. In this bilingual book, which was donated to public schools in Porto Alegre and is also available for purchase, the story follows Charlie, a character who uses sustainable entrepreneurship to raise money for a toy he wants to buy.”

For Bernardo, the impact of these actions was both personal and transformative. “Starting and leading social initiatives awakened my passion for helping others, taught me the importance of resilience in achieving success, and broadened my worldview,” he shares.

His commitment to social and environmental causes was a key differentiator in his college application process in the United States. Bernardo applied to 19 universities, was accepted by nine, and placed on the waitlist for another five. Among the universities that accepted him are Northwestern, Rice, and Notre Dame. “I chose Stanford for several reasons. The university offers a wide variety of unique majors and allows me to connect different academic areas throughout my studies,” he explains.

He also emphasizes the school’s extracurricular structure and innovative environment. “Stanford has initiatives like clubs and research opportunities that provide hands-on experience in business, technology, and sustainability. The campus, the climate, and the location are also real highlights. I’ll be right next to one of the world’s leading innovation hubs with a climate similar to that of Rio Grande do Sul.”

Bernardo’s studies at Stanford will begin in September 2025, and he already has clear plans. “I intend to explore the fields of economics and technology, always with a focus on sustainability. I believe it’s crucial nowadays to have a solid foundation in technology to develop impactful projects, which is why I also want to deepen my knowledge in that area.”

He also reinforces the connection between his values and those of the institution where he will study. “I see this mission strongly aligned with Stanford’s, and I can say that during my undergraduate studies and career, I intend to carry forward the values of philanthropy, sustainability, and innovation,” he emphasizes.

Over the years, Pan American School has provided him with the spaces, projects, and encouragement needed to turn social problems into real impact solutions. Bernardo’s journey highlights how a school environment that fosters initiative, critical thinking, and global engagement can play a decisive role in shaping young people prepared to take on global challenges.