Grant Wang from Chatsworth High Secures a Spot at MIT

Chatsworth Volleyball Player Celebrates MIT Acceptance During Tournament

During a volleyball tournament in Las Vegas last March, Chatsworth High School coach Sina Aghassy confiscated players’ cellphones to ensure they remained focused on their sports commitments, with one notable exception: athletes awaiting college acceptance notifications could briefly check their devices.

As the team stood in a hallway listening to Aghassy’s performance evaluations, senior Grant Wang, a standout at 6-foot-6, grasped his phone to see if he had received a message from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

“I opened it up a couple minutes before it was supposed to come out and all I see is confetti,” recalled Wang. “I was in shock, and all I did was make a noise.”

Unaware of the meaning behind the sound, Aghassy requested Wang to keep the volume down. However, emotions quickly overwhelmed him. “Five minutes into his talk, I started breaking down crying,” Wang added.

His teammates, noticing Wang’s tears, were left in suspense about whether the news was positive or negative. “My teammate whispers to me,” he said, before sharing the triumphant news: “I got into MIT.” This revelation led to an eruption of cheers from his teammates.

Wang had kept his aspiration to attend MIT a secret, especially after being placed on the deferred list in the fall, leaving him uncertain about his chances. He now joins a select group, becoming the fourth volleyball player from Southern California accepted to MIT, alongside three athletes from Redondo Union High School whom he knows.

A consistent high achiever, Wang has never received a grade lower than an A during his time in Chatsworth’s STEM-focused magnet program. A math prodigy, he took geometry in eighth grade and completed all math classes, including chemistry and calculus, the previous school year. Currently, he is enrolled in AP Physics.

In addition to his academic accolades, Wang already owns three championship rings: one from Chatsworth’s state championship basketball team and two from City Open Division volleyball victories. This season, he is aiming for a third title, with Chatsworth projected as a top seed for the volleyball playoffs. Having initially started playing volleyball in his freshman year, Wang made the switch from basketball, a sport he had previously played.

“I love the sport. I always put in extra work,” he remarked.

In contrast to his friends at Redondo Union, Wang does not surf or play instruments, despite their search for a drummer for a band. “I cannot,” he admitted when asked about drumming. However, he humorously stated, “In college, I’m going to learn how to drum so I can join the band.”

Given his height and evolving skills, Wang is considered a valuable prospect for the future of volleyball. He acknowledged a potential challenge ahead: adapting to colder climates. “I don’t think I’ve ever been in weather under 60 degrees for two days,” he said, joking about his parents sending him hot Korean soup for comfort during tough days.

Wang attributes his academic success to his parents, who have consistently placed him in environments conducive to learning. In his household, receiving a B is not an option.

He expressed gratitude for his educators at Chatsworth, noting, “All the teachers put their heart and soul into us.”

As for his volleyball coach, Wang conveyed appreciation for Aghassy’s decision to allow him phone access, apologizing for any disruption caused during the evaluation.

Wang’s experience of learning about his acceptance into MIT in Las Vegas will undoubtedly become a cherished memory, one that represents a personal jackpot far beyond monetary value.