Searching for the one

For many years I have had the pleasure and opportunity to look at the applications of many talented Peruvians to the REPU program.

My understanding of the admission process has been changing over the years. One thing that is under my radar right now, is how could we move from equality to equity? but that is for another time.

To better judge during the admissions, I wanted to hear the opinion of somebody with a lot of experience dealing with Peruvian undergraduates. I reached out to my undergraduate adviser. He has trained many undergraduates from the Science Department in UNI. He has had a wide variety of alumni, from students that went to study abroad and some others that stayed in Peru.

I wrote an e-mail to him asking: Were you ever able to tell any characteristics associated with undergraduates that went on to have successful scientific careers?

His answers were:

Intellectual ability
Constancy
Honesty

After so many years, I keep revising his answer and giving new interpretations to his reply.