From a young man from Bac Ninh to Apple and Harvard: A journey of overcoming nearly 300 rejections.

After nearly 300 rejections during his journey to study and find a job in the US, the young man from Bac Ninh persevered and eventually worked at Apple and was accepted into Harvard.

Tran Tung Anh (28 years old) was born and raised in Bac Ninh. What he mentions most when looking back on his childhood is the silent sacrifice of his parents. Despite the family's financial difficulties, his parents still saved diligently so their son could study.

English-specialized students are shifting their focus to technology.

In middle school, Tung Anh specialized in English at the High School for Foreign Languages ​​- Vietnam National University , Hanoi . In 2017, Tung Anh went to the United States on a 100% tuition scholarship from Texas Christian University (TCU), majoring in Information Technology.

He believes the decision to shift from foreign languages ​​to technology was a deliberate choice, stemming from his desire to work long-term in the US – where the labor market and immigration policies demand highly competitive professions and clearly defined technical skills.

Tran Tung Anh, a Vietnamese man working at Apple, has just been accepted into a master's program at Harvard University in the United States.

From his first year of university, Tung Anh proactively sought out practical experience. During the summer of his first year, he was accepted as an intern at PwC Vietnam, working in technology risk management and client system security. This experience helped Tung Anh quickly define his career path in technology and policy.

Nearly 300 applications and decisions to stay in the US.

After his first internship, Tung Anh set his sights on an internship in the US. For six months, he consistently sent out nearly 100 applications each month, facing 300 consecutive rejection emails. In 2019, he was accepted for internships at a US cosmetics company, and then at EY – one of the world's four largest auditing firms (Big4).

Despite his abilities and preparation, Tung Anh admitted that he always felt disadvantaged when entering the US job market as an international student. " There were times when I wondered if my background alone was enough to close the door to opportunity," Tung Anh shared.

Tung Anh graduated with a degree in Information Technology from Texas Christian University, USA.

While many international students choose to return home, Tung Anh faces another difficult decision: stay in the US or return home?

“If the locals are staying to pursue their future, why can’t I?” Tùng Anh asked himself. The decision to stay in America became a crucial turning point, paving the way for Tùng Anh’s later career development, including the opportunity to work at Apple.

Apple acceptance email and a chance to get into Harvard.

The Apple application process is one of the most memorable stories for Tung Anh. After passing the application screening, he was called for five interviews, spanning two months and increasing in difficulty. However, the first interview invitation ended up in his spam folder – not once, but three times – causing him to miss the appointment. Only on the third attempt, by chance, did Tung Anh discover the email. He contacted them again and received an interview appointment that same day.

“ With almost no time to prepare, instead of striving for perfection, I chose an honest approach, focusing on the value I could bring,” Tung Anh recounted.

He reviewed the projects he had participated in, accumulated experience, and directly contacted Apple regarding their requirements. For this young Vietnamese man, luck doesn't come randomly, but only appears when one is ready after a long period of hard work.

In late February 2022, Tung Anh became a Privacy Policy Specialist at Apple (USA). His job focused on researching laws and regulations related to user privacy, thereby supporting the development of Apple's products and services.

Tung Anh and Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, USA.

Recognizing the need to continuously update his knowledge in a rapidly changing technological environment, Tung Anh decided to apply for a master's degree. In November 2025, he received news of his acceptance into the Master's program in Computer Science Engineering at Harvard University, USA.

According to Tung Anh, the application process is not overly complicated in terms of procedures, but it requires applicants to clearly answer two core questions: what do they bring to the program and what do they need from the program?

" This isn't a personal essay like in college, but rather a frank dialogue about values ​​and goals," Tung Anh said.

Dr. Beata Jones, a professor at Texas Christian University, USA, praised Tung Anh for his "intelligence, integrity, and professionalism." The Vietnamese young man impressed with his quick learning ability, innate curiosity, and adaptability, enabling him to succeed in any field.

Tung Anh is expected to begin his two-year master's program at Harvard, USA, at the end of January 2026. He prioritizes courses in artificial intelligence, while simultaneously continuing to develop his expertise related to Apple's e-wallet, a platform where technology, finance, and immigration policy intersect.

After nearly 10 years in the US, the biggest lesson Tung Anh learned was to remain calm in the face of rejection. " Sometimes, all we need is one 'yes' out of hundreds of rejections. As long as you persevere and try your best, good things will come," the Vietnamese man shared.

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/tu-chang-trai-bac-ninh-den-apple-va-harvard-hanh-trinh-vuot-qua-gan-300-loi-tu-choi-ar998625.html