Female student wins Ivy League university 6 billion VND scholarship

 Female student wins Ivy League university 6 billion VND scholarship

Reaching 1570/1600 SAT I scores, successfully implementing a garbage recycling project and having an essay with a different layout, Khanh Linh was admitted to a Top 15 school in the US.

On the morning of December 11, Le Pham Khanh Linh, grade 12 Anh 1, Hanoi-Amsterdam High School for the Gifted, woke up early after a difficult night of sleep. The female student checked her email and saw the admission results from Dartmouth College, USA. Linh nervously opened the letter and saw the words "Congratulations", she "stubbed" for a few seconds. Linh had to re-read it many times to believe that she had won the Environmental Science major at her desired school.

Dartmouth College belongs to the Ivy League, a prestigious and longstanding school system in the United States. According to US News and World Report, Dartmouth ranked 13th in the list of the best universities in America. The 17-year-old girl received financial support of 260,000 USD for four years of study, equivalent to 6 billion VND.

Le Pham Khanh Linh, grade 12 Anh 1, Hanoi-Amsterdam High School for the Gifted, is the owner of a scholarship of 6 billion VND from Dartmouth College, USA. Photo: Character provided

Le Pham Khanh Linh, grade 12 Anh 1, Hanoi-Amsterdam High School for the Gifted. Photo: Character provided

At the beginning of secondary school, Linh focused on learning English, aiming to study abroad. "At that time, I only knew that America had an education that upheld the spirit of freedom, later I knew it was liberal education. I really wanted to be able to control the future and learn what I like," Linh said.

After being admitted to Grade 1, Hanoi-Amsterdam High School for the Gifted, the girl born in 2004 began to learn the elements of a study abroad application. Application documents to American universities usually include SAT/ACT scores, English language certificates, letters of recommendation, financial statements, CV or Portfolio summarizing social projects, personal essays.

Female students identify in the first semester of grade 11 that they need to complete the "hardware", including standardized certificates (SAT, IELTS) and maintain a good academic record (GPA). Being a disciplined person, Linh tries to stick to the set plan.

From March 2020, female students started studying for the SAT. I aim to complete this certificate within the year, avoiding the delay and encroachment of time on other jobs. After nearly half a year of review, Linh achieved 1570/1600 SAT I, maximum 800/800 SAT II Math and Chemistry in the first exam. The female student assessed that she was quite lucky because in the second half of 2020, the epidemic situation was stable, so standardized exams were still held. If I wait until 2021 to take the test, it is not certain that I have completed the SAT certificate.

At the beginning of 2021, the female student took the IELTS exam, reaching 8.5 right after winning the second prize in the national English subject.

In the second semester of grade 11, Linh shaped her direction, pursued environmental activities and left a big mark on the Cleen project. Instead of just propaganda to reduce the use of plastic waste, Linh and her friends planned to "turn" trash into tables and chairs to support students in disadvantaged areas.

Linh said, this project consists of many complicated steps and takes a long time. You and your friends have to contact companies and businesses for assistance with recycling techniques, then ask the driver to deliver furniture for students at Sapa Hope Center (Orphanage, Orphanage, etc.). teaching English and vocational guidance for free for ethnic minority children in Sapa, Lao Cai). The first few months, the Cleen project had difficulty finding partners.

Without giving up, the whole team must adjust the plan, presenting it in more detail and clarity. Instead of having to contact garbage disposal parties to "ask" for plastic waste, Linh's team actively collects it. As a result, after nearly 9 months, 25 sets of tables and chairs made from 600 kg of waste have been delivered to students at Sapa Hope Center.

"On rainy days, with my friends carrying tables and chairs from the factory to the truck, I will never forget. The number of finished products may be modest, but I want to convey the message 'just go and come', I have to try to know if I can do it or not," Linh said.

Khanh Linh (first row, second from left) with members of the Cleen project. Photo: Character provided

Khanh Linh (first row, second from left) with members of the Cleen project. Photo: Character provided

During Cleen's sprint, Linh also had to complete the main essay. I orient the essay to show the qualities that the school needs in a student. With the Environmental Science major at Dartmouth, Linh found that the school was looking for people who always improve, develop themselves, dare to step out of their comfort zone. Female students choose personal stories, not too big or academic, but consistent and consistent with the values ​​that the school wants.

At first, Linh planned to structure the essay in the traditional way with a story throughout. However, I think that we should not limit ourselves, but try our best with the layout built from three small stories on the same topic. "This way of writing helps me create more depth in my essay," the female student commented.

Near the deadline to submit the application for November 1, Linh feels pressured because there are many things to complete. Every week, I stay awake 2-3 days. To balance, female students often walk, temporarily away from phones and computers. "Fortunately, in the end, everything was completed according to plan. I feel satisfied because my efforts have been rewarded", Linh said.