Chapter 200

Sandy spoke up. “If it’s a combined Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate program, Bedford College offers a few, though the entry requirements are extremely high. Miranda, what was your undergraduate major?”

“Bioinformatics.”

“Faculty of Bioinformatics?” Sandy looked at Bryan. “You should know. Does the bioinformatics program have a combined Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate track?”

All eyes, including Elizabeth’s, turned to Bryan.

“Uh…” Bryan set down his utensils. “Technically, it doesn’t offer a combined track.”

Elizabeth stood abruptly, glaring at Miranda. “The facts are clear. What do you have to say?” Sandy, however, noticed the nuance in Bryan’s wording. “Bryan, what do you mean by ‘technically’? Are there exceptions?”

Bryan nodded. “Yes. Each year, the Faculty of Bioinformatics offers one or two conditional admission slots for students who have won gold medals in international Olympiad competitions.”

“What do you mean by conditional admission?”

“Students meeting the gold medal criteria and other qualifications can negotiate conditions with the college, such as full scholarships or guaranteed graduate program admission. Basically, they can make requests, and the college will consider them.”

Sandy asked, “So, theoretically, could one of those conditions be direct admission to a doctorate program?”

Bryan nodded. “In principle, yes, but it’s extremely rare. Everyone wants direct PhD admission, but very few have the credentials. As far as I know, in the last ten, maybe twenty years, the Faculty of Bioinformatics has granted direct PhD admission only twice. Once to Dr. Sophie Xander’s protégé, John Clifford. The other was to a student of Dr. Christine Young—I don’t recall her name. She won gold medals in Physics, Chemistry (twice!), and Computing that year—a grand slam. The college offered her special admission, but she declined and entered through the regular college entrance exam. I believe she was also the top science student in her district that year. With such an outstanding student, I think even a postdoctoral position would have been offered.”

The circle narrowed. Since John was male, Miranda was the only possibility for Christine Young's student. But could that be true? Gold medals in four subjects, the top science student in her district, a combined Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate program… Any one of these accomplishments seemed impossible for Miranda.

Elizabeth scoffed. “Now, do you have anything left to say?”

Miranda had nothing to say, more from disbelief than speechlessness.

Paul set down his utensils. “Miranda is Dr. Young’s student.”

Silence fell.

Bryan swallowed hard. “No way.” He glanced at Miranda. “Are you really Dr. Young’s student?”

Miranda sighed. “Do I need to call Dr. Young to prove it?”

“No, no, no…” Bryan waved his hands. “It’s not that I don’t believe you, it’s just… I’m stunned! I never thought the legendary prodigy would be here…”

Sandy’s eyes sparkled. She grabbed Miranda’s hand. “Tell me, how did you manage gold medals in four Olympiad subjects? My son struggles with just one, Math Olympiad, and constantly complains.”

Miranda blushed slightly. “Well… I solved problems, lots of problems, and made sure to get them all right.”