Physics prodigy wins MIT scholarship worth 9.3 billion VND.

The winner of two Olympic Physics gold medals has been awarded a full scholarship worth 9.3 billion VND and is considered by MIT to be among the "most competitive candidates in history".

Vo Hoang Hai, a 12th-grade student specializing in Physics at the High School for Gifted Students in Natural Sciences , Vietnam National University, Hanoi, was awarded a full scholarship to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on March 22nd.

"I received a scholarship worth over 9.3 billion VND," Hai shared at a study abroad seminar on the afternoon of March 24th.

MIT is currently the best university in the world , according to the QS rankings. The university is renowned for its STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) research and training.

In their acceptance letter, MIT representatives wrote: "You are one of the most outstanding and promising students, among the most competitive applicants in the institute's history." The school is over 160 years old.

Hai said he applied to MIT's Physics program during the early admissions cycle, which usually results are available at the end of December 2023. However, his application was "deferred" (under review), so he only received the results on March 15th.

"I was initially worried when the results were delayed, but in the end, all my efforts paid off," Hai said.

Vo Hoang Hai at a sharing session on his experience of getting accepted into American universities, on the afternoon of March 24th. Photo: Binh Minh

Hai is the owner of two gold medals at the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO), becoming the first 10th-grade student from Vietnam to achieve this feat. In addition, Hai has a GPA of 9.9, an IELTS score of 8.0, and a SAT score of 1570/1600.

The physics prodigy dreamed of becoming an MIT student after a trip to Boston, Massachusetts, in 2015, when he was in fourth grade. The trip took Hai to visit many universities, including MIT. At a souvenir shop near the school, Hai bought a red stuffed lobster embroidered with the word "Boston."

"That toy has been with me everywhere, reminding me of my dream of studying Physics at MIT," Hai recounted. "The plush lobster also accompanied me in extracurricular activities while I was preparing my study abroad application."

Hai began preparing his application in July 2023. The student admitted that he is an introvert and doesn't socialize much, so he had difficulty writing essays. Furthermore, although he uses English for studying and listening to lectures, he rarely practices his writing skills.

"I struggled to express my ideas. Thanks to the mentors who guided me towards a suitable topic, I completed the essay in about three months," Hai recalled.

According to Hai, MIT required five essays. Each essay had to be under 250 words, so Hai had to try to tell a concise story, expressing himself through his experiences and lessons learned.

The first essay, a 100-word piece, asks the applicant why they chose the major. The third essay is about the impact of life experiences and opportunities on the applicant's dreams and aspirations. The male student acknowledges his outstanding achievements, therefore his essay will not focus on competitions, but rather on his journey in pursuing Physics.

Hai said that since childhood he has enjoyed reading books about science, astronomy, and social studies. In middle school, Hai began to pay more attention to physics at school, enjoying experiments and observing natural phenomena. In high school, Hai participated in major competitions, having the opportunity to meet and compete with friends from all over the world.

"My love for physics didn't develop overnight. It's been building up over many years, helping me become the person I am today," Hai explained.

A stuffed lobster, a souvenir Hoang Hai bought when he went to the US in 2015. Photo: Binh Minh

In the second essay, the school asked about an activity Hai did simply for enjoyment. Hai described how practicing Karate helped him relax after stressful school hours. Thanks to practicing this martial art, Hai also made many new friends.

In his fourth essay, about his experience collaborating with others, which was about 200 words long, Hai shared about taking music lessons with the hope of setting his mother's poem to music. Through this, Hai learned how to express emotions through rhythm.

In the final essay, which asked about how to handle unexpected challenges, the male student mentioned the ATEC science and technology club for students in Hanoi . Hai said that he used to be like a "bookworm," only dedicating his time to studying. When he became the head of ATEC, he faced many difficulties but gradually learned how to manage and coordinate work.

Besides writing essays, Hai also pays close attention to extracurricular activities. Hai believes that chasing quantity over quality lacks personal flair, so he focuses on only two projects: the "Tom Goes to School" scholarship fund and ATEC.

"I want to not only excel in my studies and have a good understanding of science, but also be able to apply that knowledge to help those around me," Hai shared.

The "Tom Goes to School" scholarship fund was established by Hai in early 2023, a few months after attending IPhO and receiving numerous awards. Having interacted with many bright students from disadvantaged backgrounds, Hai wondered why he couldn't create opportunities for them to pursue their passions, showcase their talents, and contribute to society in the future.

Hai uses a stuffed shrimp as the symbol for his scholarship fund because it represents his dream of going to MIT. The scholarship consists of Hai's prize money, along with contributions from his family and relatives. At the end of last year, Hai supported about 50 elementary and middle school students in Tuong Duong, Nghe An, with textbooks, notebooks, pens, and 50% of their tuition fees.

With the ATEC club, over the past year, Hai and his friends have been working on a technology project to assist people with hand disabilities. The image of the lobster continues to appear at ATEC, symbolizing perseverance in pursuing dreams.

Hai (center) shares his experiences at a study abroad seminar on the afternoon of March 24th. Photo: Binh Minh

Mr. Tran Dac Minh Trung, Deputy General Director of American Study, stated that MIT is a highly competitive university, with only about 2% of international students admitted. To gain admission to MIT, students must excel academically, possess strong family backgrounds, and have a solid moral and social foundation.

"Hai's profile is strong in all three of these areas," he remarked. "Hai has a very distinct MIT vibe: a scientist, yet still interesting through the image of Tom going to school, and romantic through setting poetry to music."

This August, Hai will be going to the US to start his studies. The young man hopes to pursue a research career after graduation and continue developing the scholarship fund to help even more underprivileged students.

Dawn

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