Phu Yen female student wins 5.5 billion VND scholarship to study in the US

Nguyen Ngoc Tra My, 12th grade English major, Luong Van Chanh High School, received scholarships from two American universities, ranging from 5.2-5.5 billion VND at each school for 4 years of study.

Tra My received the news of her acceptance in mid-December. When she saw the congratulatory message from the University of Rochester via email, the female student screamed loudly and ran to her parents' room to tell them the news.

"I expected a lot and tried my best, and finally I succeeded," My said.

The University of Rochester is currently ranked 47th in the US university rankings, according to US News. After deducting the financial aid of 217,000 USD, My's family needs to spend about 35,000 USD (850 million VND) per year.

My was also accepted into Fordham University, a top 89 school in the US, with a $214,000 scholarship. She chose Rochester because the Finance major she wanted to pursue at this school was ranked higher.

Up to now, My is the only student at Luong Van Chanh Specialized School, Phu Yen , receiving a scholarship to study in the US for the fall 2024 intake.

Nguyen Ngoc Tra My, 12th grade English major, Luong Van Chanh High School for the Gifted. Photo: Provided by the character

My's dream of studying abroad began in middle school, but it wasn't until 10th grade that she decided to hunt for a scholarship. She said she chose the US because she thought the education system here was developed and there would be many opportunities for future jobs.

During her years at Luong Van Chanh High School, My always achieved an average score of 9.5/10. The most difficult thing, according to My, is that in the province, finding a mentor or participating in extracurricular activities is not as easy as for friends in big cities. However, she is still determined to conquer.

My said that at first she was very confused because she could not find anyone with experience to discuss with. She also did not have an idea of ​​how to prepare a complete application. Later, My learned that university admissions committees evaluate candidates comprehensively, not only based on academic results, certificates (IELTS), SAT (standardized test used for admission to US universities), but also on extracurricular activities and essays.

Having achieved an IELTS score of 8.0 since grade 9, My had no difficulty obtaining this certificate. However, the SAT test was still unfamiliar to her, and there was no place in Phu Yen province to teach and review. Therefore, My took the time to go online and join groups to learn and grasp basic knowledge. Next, the female student registered for an online SAT course and practiced solving questions.

"I studied every day and got a score of 1,530/1,600," the female student said. This score is in the top 1% in the world , according to statistics from the College Board - the organization that owns the SAT exam.

Not only is she diligent in her studies, My also founded a charity club, organized the Mid-Autumn Festival with her friends, taught English to disabled children, and donated money and clothes to poor patients. At school, the female student was enthusiastic in class activities and the English club.

"I spent a lot of time in grades 10 and 11 on extracurricular activities and studying for certificates, so that when I was in grade 12, I could focus on writing essays and preparing recommendation letters," My shared.

Tra My in a charity activity at Phu Yen Provincial General Hospital. Photo: Provided by the character

It took My 5 months to write the main essay of about 650 words. Initially, the female student intended to share about the volunteer activities she had done, but also realized that this content was too familiar and did not highlight anything special about herself. After many days of thinking, My finally chose to talk about her learning journey and her passion for dancing.

"I want the admissions committee to understand me better, in addition to my good academic achievements," My said, adding that the essay writing process is also a time for her to look back on herself more. To make her essay coherent, My asked the advisor for advice on word usage and writing structure.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, homeroom teacher of the 12th grade English major, assessed that My has a serious attitude towards studying, is good at all subjects, and is often ranked first or second in the class. Despite her busy schedule of studying for the English team exam, studying at school, and preparing for studying abroad, Tra My always tries her best to complete her plan well.

"I think you deserve the scholarship," said Ms. Ha.

Tra My said she will try to get good results in her graduation exam before flying to the US. The female student hopes to not only learn professional knowledge but also work skills during her four years here.

"I believe I can integrate soon," Tra My shared.

Bui Toan

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