Using her passion for writing and her love of scuba diving as metaphors to tell the story of her self -discovery journey and overcoming ADHD, Lam Uyen conquered Dartmouth University with a scholarship worth approximately 8.5 billion VND for four years.
Phi Ngoc Lam Uyen - a 12th-grade student at Olympia Inter-level High School - Photo: Provided by the interviewee.
Phi Ngoc Lam Uyen, a 12th-grade student from Olympia High School, was accepted into Dartmouth University in the early admissions round in mid-December 2024. This is one of eight elite universities in the United States.
Discovering the syndrome you have
Lam Uyen (17 years old) applied to Dartmouth University in the early admissions round with an impressive application, including an excellent projected IB score; and in 10th grade she achieved a SAT score of 1540/1600 (a standardized test for students applying to American universities), placing her in the top 1% worldwide .
After the initial overwhelming joy of being accepted into her dream school, Lam Uyen shared her thoughts on the proud journey she had just completed.
Lam Uyen revealed that she accidentally discovered she had symptoms of ADHD when she was in 7th grade – after reading a book by an American author.
At that time, Lin Yuan sensed that the protagonist's symptoms of ADHD were very similar to what the female student was experiencing. This made the female student wonder and worry whether she might have ADHD like the protagonist in the story.
"After being examined and receiving a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) from my doctor, I began to research the condition thoroughly and find ways to overcome obstacles in various ways, including my passion for writing stories, scuba diving, and sports ..."
"During my studies and daily life, because I find it harder to concentrate than others, whenever I feel I can't focus, I don't force myself but temporarily switch to doing something else and then come back to it later," Lam Uyen said.
Lam Uyen shared her experience in preparing study abroad applications at an event - Photo: NGUYEN BAO
In her main essay submitted to Dartmouth University during the early admissions process, Lam Uyen used her love of writing and passion for scuba diving to convince the university.
"Actually, writing stories or scuba diving are just a small part of my self-discovery process, a metaphor for diving into my own world, escaping the bubble of my comfort zone. However, in the end, I still have to surface to return to real life, bravely stepping out into the world with all the beautiful things that await me," Lam Uyen said.
Studying psychology to help people… like yourself.
Lam Uyen said she wants to pursue biochemistry at Dartmouth University because she is very interested in psychology and the study of the human brain.
According to Lam Uyen, currently in Vietnam, many young people are suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), difficulty concentrating, or excessive hyperactivity. However, not everyone understands what problem they are facing or how to get support.
"When I went to university, with more support from the school and professors, I wanted to research psychology and the human brain directly, so I could help people who have similar syndromes to mine," Lam Uyen said.
According to the plan, Lam Uyen will go to the United States in August 2025 to study at Dartmouth University. While waiting to enroll, she will continue to maintain her classroom studies to ensure good academic results.
In addition, the female student plans to further develop her life skills and engage in sports, and possibly learn other foreign languages such as Spanish and Japanese, giving her an advantage when studying in the United States.
Lam Uyen gives a project presentation to the teachers - Photo: Provided by the interviewee.
Achieved an IELTS score of 8.0 since the 8th grade.
To apply to the biochemistry program at Dartmouth University, in 11th grade, the female student participated in a research project on the impact of fertilizers on the chemical composition of basil essential oil. The research was subsequently published in a prestigious Q2-level scientific journal.
In 2023, Lam Uyen participated in AI - JAM US, where her team competed online and won a gold medal with their research on applying 3D printing methods to produce chips simulating human physiological organs for use in medical laboratories and teaching.
Regarding extracurricular activities, Lam Uyen said she used to be the leader of a group that wrote Vietnamese language textbooks for Vietnamese expatriates abroad.
Ms. Le Thi Dieu Linh, Lam Uyen's advisor during the study abroad application process, said that from the end of junior high school, Lam Uyen had begun researching and planning to hunt for scholarships to study in the US. From the 8th grade, Lam Uyen achieved an 8.0 IELTS score.
"Lam Uyen is proof that students don't necessarily need to get into a prestigious school or a top-tier international school to conquer the elite universities in America," Ms. Linh commented.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/trung-tuyen-dai-hoc-dartmouth-hoc-bong-8-5-ti-dong-bang-cau-chuyen-doi-mat-voi-hoi-chung-tang-dong-20250128234244621.htm
Comment (0)