2004 POINT SCHOLARS

Ryan James Kim

Princeton University

Concentration: Economics

Ryan grew up near Denver, Colorado. Despite his early academic success, which includes graduating near the top of his class, achieving high SAT scores and earning a National AP Scholar designation, Ryan was forced to leave his house after coming out to his parents. Cut off completely, he spent a year working himself up from homeless youth shelters by taking on three jobs in Los Angeles as a teller, magazine intern, and delivery boy.

Though this time in his life was at best difficult and at other times seemingly hopeless, Ryan was determined to get an education. Even before he received the Point Foundation scholarship, he was accepted into Princeton University, where he is now a senior and ranked in the top quintile of his class. 

In addition to his studies, Ryan is an avid writer and has contributed numerous pieces to the largest national gay newsmagazine, The Advocate, as well as other national publications like the Newark Star Ledger. He has experience working with the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), and his high school’s Gay Straight Alliance.