Luu Tien Minh Nghia, a 12th grade student at True North International School in Hanoi, received early admission to Cornell University on 19/12. This Ivy League institution is currently ranked 12th in the US, according to US.News.

"I knew many friends were strong candidates, some even with research experience, so I did not have high expectations. I was surprised to be admitted," Nghia said.

According to Crimson Education, Cornell University's admission rate in recent years has ranged from 7% to 10%, from approximately 65,000 to 70,000 applications. This year's early admission rate has not yet been announced, but last year it was over 18%, according to IvyWise.

Luu Tien Minh Nghia. Photo: Family provided

Nghia considered studying abroad early on, as many family members pursued education in new countries. Family trips also showed the male student that studying abroad offered opportunities to explore new knowledge and diverse cultures.

At the end of 10th grade, Nghia began to realize this dream, focusing on standardized tests and advanced placement (AP) subjects.

Initially, Nghia struggled with self-study, unfamiliar test structures, and limited English proficiency. However, the student diligently practiced exam questions daily and simultaneously improved English with school teachers. After about one year, Nghia achieved a SAT score of 1560 and an IELTS score of 8.0.

11th grade was the year Nghia dedicated the most effort to exams. Studying for 6 AP subjects caused significant stress. Nghia studied continuously from morning until night, sometimes waking up at 4:30 h to practice. In return, the student views this as both an advantage in his application and a way to waive some university credits.

Concurrently, Nghia participated in and developed many extracurricular activities at school. A notable project was Zero Waste, an initiative focused on food safety and reducing food waste.

While at school or attending a summer camp in Sa Pa, Nghia noticed many friends leaving leftover food after meals. He remembered encountering disadvantaged children who had to beg for food.

"I wondered why some people had nothing to eat, yet so much food was being thrown away. I felt I needed to do something to make people more aware of this issue," Nghia said.

Nghia started a communication campaign to encourage schoolmates to reduce food waste. He connected with a food business in Hanoi, organized donation drives for edible leftovers at school, collected them, and then transferred them to charities.

Nghia also collaborated with friends to grow crops in the school garden using food waste. This idea helped True North school reach the final round of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, an award established by the UAE government to honor innovative solutions for sustainable development challenges.

Furthermore, Nghia led Iron Teen, the school's running club. Teachers guided him not only on running techniques but also on leadership and decision-making in challenging situations.

Nghia vividly remembers a race in Hanoi where the team worried about having to stop due to a lost bib. Nghia decided to ask the organizers if the team could run first and find the bib later. As a result, everyone finished the race together, and the bib was also found.

Nghia believes all his actions stemmed from a desire to contribute to the school community or solve a problem. It was only when preparing his application that Nghia realized these experiences became a competitive advantage.

These experiences inspired Nghia to write two supplementary essays for Cornell University. In the first essay, the student described how the close guidance from teachers in Iron Teen motivated him to do the same for club members.

In the second essay, Nghia recounted stories of impoverished children in Sa Pa, connecting this to his aspiration to study food science, aiming to create nutritious and affordable food options.

The most challenging part was writing the main essay. The student shared that he almost exclusively wore long pants for his first 9 years of school to hide scars on his legs from a childhood skin condition.

"Until one day, when I switched to wearing shorts, I realized the only person truly scrutinizing those scars was myself," Nghia shared. He likened the long pants to a barrier that prevented him from accepting himself. Gradually, Nghia learned to shed both the pants and his self-consciousness, recognizing those scars as part of his identity.

Nghia felt his essay did not tell a profound story but effectively showed the admissions committee who he was. The initial idea came quickly, but refining the structure and wording took considerable time. To make the essay as perfect as possible, the student sought support from school teachers, even during holidays.

Nghia (right) at a race. Photo: Family provided

Edward Oh, Vice Principal of True North International High School, noted that Nghia's journey serves as an inspiration to students across the school. He expressed pride in the student's leadership role in community activities, from maintaining the communal garden to encouraging peers in academics and sports.

"Nghia has matured remarkably in every aspect: physically, intellectually, and emotionally. The entire school looks forward to seeing how Nghia transforms his passion for science into valuable 'nutrients' for the world in the future," he said.

Looking back, Nghia is proud of becoming a more complete version of himself, capable of proactively creating opportunities, leading, and inspiring others to contribute to the community. In the near future, Nghia plans to improve the school's vegetable garden and, if possible, establish a hydroponic system.

Upon entering university, the student hopes to find more internship or research opportunities to further develop his knowledge and skills.

"I must actively seek opportunities and leverage my existing experiences to help others and excel in future endeavors," Nghia affirmed.

Khanh Linh