At 6:30 AM on 27/3, Le Duy An, a 12th-grade Banyan student at Delta Global School (DGS), opened his email to check the results of the regular admission round for the Ivy League—a group of eight prestigious US universities. An had only managed to get a little sleep before that.

The first three emails An opened were all rejection notices. When he opened the letter from Princeton University, the tiger emblem and the word "congratulations" made An burst with joy.

"I was very surprised. After being rejected by the first three schools, I almost had no expectations left", An shared.

Princeton is currently ranked the number one university in the US by US News. The institution has an acceptance rate of only about 5%.

The idea of studying abroad came to An when he was in grade 7, inspired by two older brothers who were studying in the US and Canada. The student seriously began preparing his application in the middle of grade 10.

An harbored plans to study operations research and financial engineering, largely inspired by his father—a doctor of economics, a public policy expert, and currently managing a consulting firm in Hanoi.

Le Duy An. Photo: Provided by interviewee

To demonstrate his ability to handle Princeton's notoriously heavy workload, An chose challenging advanced placement (AP) subjects that aligned with his academic direction, using them to test himself. By the time he submitted his application, An had completed six AP exams, including Calculus and Statistics.

He also aimed to finish standardized tests early, dedicating about two weeks to prepare for each. Benefiting from his English proficiency and school subjects, An quickly achieved an IELTS score of 7,5 and an SAT score of 1530/1600. Afterward, he focused his efforts on other activities, including scientific research—the area An dedicated the most effort to.

An recounted that teachers encouraged him to conduct research from grade 8. Therefore, upon entering high school, the student actively sought opportunities to learn in professional environments. An interned at the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, participated in research under the guidance of lecturers from Hanoi University of Science and Technology and Phenikaa University, and attended SSP International—a renowned science summer camp in the US.

By the time he submitted his application, the student had four scientific research projects on topics such as aerodynamics, astrophysics, and particle physics. Notably, an article on aerodynamics that he co-authored at Hanoi University of Science and Technology was published in the journal Applied Sciences MDPI, which is in the Q2 group.

The application essay was the part that gave An "a headache". Princeton required applicants to answer six supplementary questions in addition to the main essay.

In his main essay, An wrote about his intellectual growth during the journey of overcoming the pain of his mother's passing. Previously, the student always believed that science could explain and solve all problems. However, after his loss, he realized that not only science, but also poetry and literature, came to him as a comfort and encouragement, helping An move forward.

For the supplementary questions, An dedicated the most time to the topic: "What life experiences have shaped you, and what perspectives or lessons will you bring to the Princeton community for others to learn from?"

The student discussed two unique experiences that changed his perspective: learning car repair at a roadside garage and meeting owners of "modded" cars. An observed that the mechanics were very creative in using simple tools to fix problems, while custom car enthusiasts possessed deep knowledge of vehicle machinery and engines.

From these experiences, An realized that "engineering" is not confined to academic institutions or advanced research labs, but is present everywhere, such as at a roadside car wash or in racing cars.

Duy An (holding a selfie stick) with friends during a school activity. Photo: Provided by interviewee

While studying, conducting research, and preparing his application, An also maintained strong extracurricular activities. The student plays many sports, but his greatest passion is basketball. He participated in the Hanoi Open Cup U19 tournament and the U16 national championship.

An also founded the school's Math and Computer Science club, organizing activities and small projects for his friends to join. Despite his busy schedule, An stated he never felt overwhelmed, because "everything comes from the heart."

Christopher Segur, a teacher at Delta Global School, remarked that this is an excellent outcome for the school's first cohort student. Drawing on his seven years of experience as a US university admissions officer, he recognized that An fit the criteria Princeton seeks.

"An's effort, integrity, and strong sense of self will contribute to the environment at Princeton. He is also a role model for younger students at the school", Christopher said.

An stated he has no specific plans for the new academic year yet, preferring to complete unfinished projects and further support school clubs. Above all, the student wants to enjoy life in Hanoi with his friends, spend time with his father, and continue playing basketball before departing.

Khanh Linh