With a score of SAT 1600, IELTS 8.0, and many extra-curricular activities, Vu Quoc Trung conquered the top liberal arts university in the US with a financial support of VND 6,8 billion for 4 years of study.
Quoc Trung, 18 years old, a student in class 12A1, High School for the Gifted of Foreign Languages, University of Foreign Languages, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, received news of his admission to Colby College at the end of March.
Located in the state of Maine, this school is in the top 25 liberal arts colleges in the US, according to US News & Report. Colby has also been dubbed "Little Ivy", the acceptance rate for the class of 2027 (graduation in 2027) is about 6% out of a total of nearly 18.000 applications. On its website, the school says this is the highest competitive rate in its history.
In addition, male students are admitted and receive support from 20.000 to 35.000 USD per year at many other universities in the US and Australia.
“I chose to study Computer Science in the environmental field of Colby and aim to join the joint engineering program of the school and Dartmouth College (an Ivy League university),” Trung said.
After deducting financial support, the male student's family needs to contribute about 15.000 USD (350 million VND) per year.
Vu Quoc Trung at the High School for Foreign Languages. Image: Characters provided
Trung said his dream of studying abroad was rekindled in his middle school years. Initially, I wanted to go to Australia because of the fresh environment and beautiful scenery. In high school, Trung began to prepare his study abroad application from the end of 10th grade. When more information was available, the male student decided to target the United States, thinking that this was the best environment to develop.
Studying in the US requires standardized test scores from the SAT, IELTS, high grade point average (GPA), extracurricular activities, and essays. In addition, to increase opportunities, Trung studied two AP subjects (American pre-university program), Calculus and Computer Science. With a large amount of work to prepare, Trung from the beginning calculated to arrange everything scientifically.
“I focused on the summer of 10th grade and at the beginning of the 11th grade, I had to take the SAT, then I took the IELTS in three months, and at the end of the 11th grade, I focused on taking two AP exams. In short, I don't focus on many things at a time," Trung said. According to the male student, if the SAT and AP exams are taken in May, the same time as the final exam schedule, the effect will not be high.
As an English major, Trung does not have many difficulties with international standardized tests. Male students focus a lot on Reading section, improve vocabulary and practice questions. At the beginning of the exam, Trung worked on each lesson, with no time limit to practice thinking, and then moved on to taking the real test.
With an SAT score of 1600/1600, Trung is one of the few students in the world to get a perfect score on this test. According to the College Board, which owns the test, in 2022, only 8% of Asian candidates will score 1400 points or more. From 1480, candidates are ranked in the top 1% of SAT scores in the world.
Simultaneously, Trung maintained his studies in class with a GPA of 9,4. In two AP exams, Trung got a perfect score of 5/5 in Analytical Math, the other 4/5.
However, Quoc Trung believes that to convince the top US universities, the most important factors to focus on are extracurricular activities and essays.
As a child, Trung loved to build lego, learn about cars and especially enjoy numbers. Therefore, even though he is in an English major, the male student still wants to pursue science and engineering while studying abroad.
Taking advantage of summer vacations, Quoc Trung engages in scientific research with an interest in the environment and new materials. She is the co-author of two review papers: “Research on Perovskite Solar Cells” and “Quantum Dots and Semiconductor Nanostructures”, published in the journal NeuroQuantology.
“The biggest difficulty for me when writing international articles is specialized terminology and new scientific knowledge. I have read a lot of articles to understand more about the problem I research, accumulate vocabulary as well as learn the presentation method," Quoc Trung said.
Trung also joined the research team of the University of Electricity, manufacturing a number of products such as: Smart helmets warn traffic safety and measure pollution levels; Safety bags equipped with supporting tools such as buoys, seat belts, sirens help students signal when in dangerous situations.
In addition, the male student founded the Science4Life club to create a space for students who love science to share and support each other; founded the old furniture recycling club, and with friends implemented the project "Bringing warm sunshine to the core of Xuan Son forest (Phu Tho)", giving away electronic devices, backpacks, school supplies, etc. to students. difficult birth. Trung also participates in teaching basic programming for the Association of People with Disabilities in Hoang Mai District.
The male student said that through field trips to support the poor, he understood that the root of the problem lies in the impact of climate change and the environment.
In the essay, Quoc Trung shared his process of finding information and researching on new energy and nanotechnology to find solutions to improve technical products. For example, when making Teckpack (smart pair), I know how to apply the knowledge I have learned to design a product that can both store books and add safety and convenience features for students; while with Savepack (smart backpack), boys learn how to put simplicity in functionality to make the product lighter.
“But I also find that these products keep children safe but cannot help prevent flooding… As long as the Earth warms, the threats to humans will not be addressed. Now I have seen the root of the problem, so I am and will join hands to find a solution to climate change," Trung wrote.
According to the male student, for a good essay, the story must be coherent, do not use words that are too difficult to understand, abstract, clear writing, and have specific evidence. I also discuss with teachers to get objective comments and suggestions when editing.
Quoc Trung also acknowledged that due to the reasonable arrangement, when he was in grade 12, he had conditions to focus on his essay, and had more time to evaluate, refine and perfect.
Trung during a trip to give gifts to disadvantaged students in Phu Tho, October 10. Image: Characters provided
Mr. Vu Quoc Dat, Trung's father, said that his family realized that competing for US scholarships right after the Covid-19 pandemic was very difficult. Therefore, although he always encouraged his son, he did not pressure Trung. According to him, Trung was initially successful because he knew what he wanted to pursue.
“When my son started his study abroad journey, I realized that I had not really helped him develop his own abilities, found IKIGAI – the intersection of my love and passion for the community and the world. need. So, I give this a top priority and at the end of the journey, this is the biggest gain," Dat shared.
Ms. Le Thi Thanh Ha, homeroom teacher and teacher of Literature for Trung for three years at a foreign language school, said that the student has a positive nature, is active and knowledgeable, and matures earlier than many friends. in class. When Trung made the application, Ms. Ha was also the one who wrote the letter of introduction for me.
"Trung doesn't often show his thoughts in class, but he has great aspirations and silently strives to pursue his goals," Ha commented.
Trung will fly to the US in August. The male student said that the process of making a study abroad application has brought him out of his comfort zone and learned a lot of new knowledge and skills.
“I dream of becoming a technologist and innovator in the fields of environment and energy, continuing with research and projects such as developing a new generation solar battery,” Trung said.
Ngoc Linh
