The owner of two Olympic gold medals in Physics won a full scholarship worth 9,3 billion VND, and was considered by MIT to be in the group of "most competitive candidates in history".
Vo Hoang Hai, grade 12 Physics major, High School for Gifted Natural Sciences, Hanoi National University, won a full scholarship from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on March 22.
"I received a scholarship of over 9,3 billion VND," Hai shared at a study abroad conference on the afternoon of March 24.
MIT is currently the best university in the world, according to rankings QS. The school is famous for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) research and training.
In the acceptance letter, the MIT representative wrote: "You are one of the most outstanding and potential students, among the most competitive candidate group in the history of the academy." This school is more than 160 years old.
Hai said he applied to MIT's Physics major in the early admission period, usually knowing the results by the end of December 12. However, the application was considered "defer", so on March 2023, Hai received the results.
"I was confused when the results were returned late, but in the end, all my efforts were rewarded," Hai said.
Vo Hoang Hai at a session sharing his experience of being admitted to an American university, on the afternoon of March 24. Image: Dawn
Hai is the owner of two gold medals at the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO), the first 10th grade student in Vietnam to win this achievement. In addition, Hai achieved an academic average of 9.9, IELTS 8.0 and SAT 1570/1600 points.
The golden boy of Physics dreamed of becoming an MIT student after a trip to Boston, Massachusetts, in 2015, in 4th grade. The trip took Hai to visit many universities, including MIT. At a souvenir shop near the school, Hai bought a red cotton lobster embroidered with the word Boston.
"That toy went with me everywhere, reminding me of my dream of going to MIT to study Physics," Hai said. "The spiny lobster also accompanies me in extracurricular activities when applying to study abroad."
Hai started working on the application in July 7. The male student admitted that he was introverted and uncommunicative, so he had difficulty writing essays. In addition, despite using English to study and listen to lectures, male students rarely practice writing skills.
“I have difficulty expressing ideas. Thanks to the advisors guiding me on a reasonable topic, I completed the essay in about three months," Hai recalled.
According to Hai, MIT requires 5 essays. Each article is under 250 words, so Hai must try to tell a brief story, expressing himself through experiences and lessons learned.
In particular, the first 100-word essay asks candidates why they chose the major. The third essay is about the impact of life experience opportunities on candidates' dreams and aspirations. The male student acknowledges that he has had outstanding achievements, so the essay will not focus on telling about competitions, but will focus on his journey of pursuing Physics.
Hai said that since childhood, he has liked to read books about science, astronomy or social nature. In middle school, Hai began to pay more attention to Physics at school, liking experiments and observing natural phenomena. In high school, Hai participated in major tournaments and had the opportunity to meet and compete with friends around the world.
“Love for Physics doesn't happen overnight. It has been accumulated over many years, helping me become the person I am today," Hai explained.
Stuffed lobster, a souvenir Hoang Hai bought when he came to the US in 2015. Photo: Dawn
In the second essay, Truong asked about an activity that Hai did just because he liked it. Hai talked about how practicing Karate helps him relax after stressful classes. Thanks to practicing this martial art, Hai also has many new friends.
In the fourth essay about the experience of collaborating with others, with about 200 words, Hai shares about going to music school with the desire to set her mother's poems to music. Thanks to that, Hai learned how to express emotions through rhythm.
In the final essay asking about how to handle unexpected challenges, the male student mentioned the ATEC science and technology club for students in Hanoi. Hai said that before, he was like a "bookworm", only spending time studying. When I became the head of ATEC, I encountered many difficulties but gradually learned how to manage and coordinate work.
In addition to essays, Hai also takes care of extracurricular activities. Hai believes that if you chase numbers, there will be no personal color, so you only focus on two projects, the "Shrimp to School" Scholarship Fund and ATEC.
"I want to not only study well and understand science, but also apply those things to help people around me," Hai shared.
The "Shrimp goes to school" scholarship fund was established by Hai in early 2023, a few months after attending IPhO and receiving many rewards. Having come into contact with many good classmates but in difficult circumstances, Hai wondered why not create opportunities for them to pursue their passions and demonstrate their talents to later contribute to society.
Hai used the image of a stuffed shrimp as the symbol for the scholarship fund because it represents his dream of going to MIT. The scholarships are Hai's bonuses, along with contributions from family and relatives. At the end of last year, Hai supported about 50 primary and secondary school students in Tuong Duong, Nghe An, with textbooks, notebooks, pens and 50% of tuition fees.
With the ATEC club, last year, Hai and his friends implemented an assistive technology project for people with disabilities. The image of the lobster continues to appear at ATEC, with the meaning of perseverance in pursuing dreams.
Hai (middle) shares experiences at the study abroad seminar on the afternoon of March 24. Image: Dawn
Mr. Tran Dac Minh Trung, Deputy General Director of American Study, said MIT is the most competitive school, the admission rate of international students is only about 2%. To get into MIT, students must excel in both academics, family cultural factors, and moral and social foundations.
"Hai's profile is strong in all three of these points," he commented. "Hai has MIT's colors very clearly: a scientist but still interesting through the image of Tom going to school and romantic through setting music to poetry."
Next August, Hai will go to the US to study. The male student hopes to pursue a research path after graduation and continue to develop the scholarship fund to help more poor students.
Dawn
