Vijay Chokalingam’s Childhood
Vijay Chokalingam was born in Massachusetts, United States, to Avu Chokalingam and Swati Roysircar. He grew up alongside his sister, Mindy Kaling, who would later become a famous actress, comedian, and writer. Their parents immigrated to the United States from India and Bangladesh, respectively.
Growing up, Vijay struggled with his identity as a person of color in a predominantly white community. He felt pressure to conform to mainstream standards of success and beauty, which often excluded people of color. These experiences would later shape his personal and professional choices.
Parents and Siblings
Vijay’s parents, Avu Chokalingam and Swati Roysircar, were both immigrants who valued education and hard work. Avu Chokalingam worked as an architect, and Swati Roysircar was a gynecologist. They raised their children to be ambitious and independent thinkers.
Vijay’s sister, Mindy Kaling, is a well-known actress, comedian, and writer. She is best known for her role on the television show “The Office” and for creating and starring in her own television series, “The Mindy Project.” Mindy and Vijay have remained close throughout their lives and have supported each other’s career endeavors.
Books
Vijay Chokalingam is the author of “Almost Black: The True Story of How I Got Into Medical School By Pretending to Be Black.” In the book, he shares his experiences of applying to medical school and being rejected multiple times. In a desperate attempt to improve his chances, he posed as an African American on his application and was subsequently accepted to St. Louis University School of Medicine. The book has sparked controversy and discussion about race and affirmative action in higher education.
Nationality
Vijay Chokalingam is an American citizen.
Education and Career
Vijay Chokalingam attended the University of Chicago, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. He later attended St. Louis University School of Medicine, where he posed as an African American on his application. After completing medical school, he worked as a urology resident at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center.
In addition to his medical career, Vijay has worked in various industries, including finance and technology. He has also been involved in political activism, advocating for issues such as student loan debt relief and voting rights.
More About Vijay Chokalingam
Vijay Chokalingam’s story is one of ambition and identity. His experiences growing up as a person of color in a predominantly white community, and his struggles with the competitive nature of the medical school admissions process, have shaped his worldview and his career choices. He continues to be an outspoken advocate for social justice and equity in education and other fields.