Nguyen Thanh Long, a 12th-grade physics student at Hanoi - Amsterdam High School for the Gifted (Ams), has been accepted into the mechanical engineering program at the University of Alabama with a 100% tuition scholarship (approximately 4.3 billion VND or 182,000 USD). In addition, he received several supplementary scholarships and a 9,700 USD housing allowance for his first year. His family will contribute about 50,000 USD over four years.
"I'm proud of myself. The application journey, with all its effort and hard work, has finally paid off," Long said.
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Nguyen Thanh Long. Photo courtesy of the subject |
Nguyen Thanh Long. Photo courtesy of the subject
Long's mother, Vu Thi Bich Van, said he was accepted to 8 of the 12 US universities he applied to, including Texas A&M University (ranked in the top 50 by US News), Michigan State University (top 61), University of South Florida (91), and University of Texas at Dallas (109). Each acceptance came with scholarships ranging from tens of thousands of dollars to full tuition.
Van explained that Long hadn't initially planned to study abroad. His mind changed toward the end of 11th grade, after participating in the Asian Science and Mathematics Olympiad for Primary and Secondary Schools (ASMOPSS) in Indonesia.
Although he didn't win an award, the week-long trip sparked Long's desire to explore the world, learn new things, and grow personally. Recognizing the late start, he remained determined and began planning his applications upon returning home.
Long focused on universities offering suitable programs and flexible scholarship policies rather than solely on rankings. The biggest challenge was knowing where to begin and identifying areas needing improvement.
He researched independently, then prioritized studying for the SAT and IELTS during the summer. He enrolled in an SAT prep course and practiced using online resources. After three attempts, he achieved a superscore of 1490/1600, with a perfect 800 in math. He scored 7.0 on the IELTS twice.
During the school year, Long focused on improving his GPA to 9.6/10. He also participated in extracurricular activities, co-founding Timbre of Vietnam, a project to preserve and promote Vietnamese traditional musical instruments, and Code Hub, which shares programming products and games related to mental health.
In his 650-word main essay (with no topic restrictions) submitted last October, he described his journey from a shy boy with no clear direction to becoming a leader in his physics class and several extracurricular activities.
After entering Ams, Long felt lost and insecure in the new environment. He withdrew, avoiding classmates and losing interest in his studies. His transformation began at the end of 10th grade, after observing his classmates rehearsing for "Talent Day," an annual event showcasing Ams students' community activities, artistic talents, and athletic abilities.
Long recalled an upperclassman approaching him as he watched the dance practice from a corner.
"He said, 'If you don't try, you'll never know if you're capable.' That statement changed my thinking," Long remembered. The cheerful and friendly atmosphere helped him break the ice. From then on, he became more confident, actively participating in class and school activities.
In 11th grade, he was elected class president of the physics program, contributing to the group's first-place win in a camping competition at Talent Day.
Long believes his extracurricular and academic activities will help him continue to thrive in his new environment. He spent about 2.5 months writing his essay, revising it 8 or 9 times.
The University of Alabama didn't require an interview or supplemental essays. He received his acceptance letter late last year and was surprised a few months later by the scholarship offer, based on his academic and extracurricular achievements.
He believes US universities seek students with unique personalities. To gain acceptance to multiple universities with varying requirements, Long emphasizes the importance of diverse personal experiences. This allows applicants to share distinct stories in supplemental essays, helping admissions committees understand them better and see their strengths.
For example, in one supplemental essay, Long wrote about his father, his biggest influence. Born in a rural, post-war area, his father worked in the fields while studying, eventually graduating from Hanoi University and managing construction projects in Libya. Despite the challenging work environment and language barrier, his father persevered.
"His story inspired me to pursue higher education and a career in social work. I also learned the value of persistence and never giving up, even in difficult circumstances," Long shared.
Dao Thu Huyen, an education consultant, noted Long's strong academic record and leadership roles. He also participated in science and robotics summer camps and volunteered in Hanoi.
"His application demonstrated leadership, academic passion, and connection to his homeland through the traditional music instrument project, all highly valued by universities," Huyen analyzed. She also praised his essay's authenticity and emotional depth, portraying his growth, turning points, and self-improvement efforts.
Next month, Long will embark on his US study abroad journey. He is currently exploring some subjects in advance and learning programming independently. He hopes to pursue further studies if given the opportunity.
Binh Minh
