Receiving a congratulatory letter with a scholarship of 6.5 billion VND from Pomona University, a school with an acceptance rate of only 6.6%, Vu Ha Chau burst into happiness.
After a gap year, 19-year-old Vu Ha Chau, a former English major and foreign language gifted high school student, has just been admitted to Pomona University, a private school in the top 4 of the Liberal Arts group. America in 2022 (according to US News & World Report) and is one of the hardest to get into in the US with an acceptance rate in 2021 at 6.6%, lower than even some of the Ivy League schools. Usually, only one Vietnamese student is admitted to this school each year.
Before receiving results from Pomona, Chau won many scholarships from other schools such as Trustees’ Scholarship for talented students at Lehigh University; 100% Faber Award scholarship for outstanding students at Forham University; Undergraduate research scholarships from the University of Minnesota, and some from Union University, Denver.
Even so, I decided to attend Pomona, which is part of the Claremont alliance of seven elite universities hailed as “a combination of intellectual resources unmatched in the US”, allowing students to register to study and work with professors at other schools, and use the same campus ,2 million m2 with modern facilities.
Vu Ha Chau won a series of scholarships from many American universities in this year’s entrance exam. Photo: Characters provided
Having intended to study abroad since he was in high school, but after graduating, Chau decided to take a break for a year because at that time, he had not found a favorite major. Studying all the subjects, I try to take online courses, from Economics, Data Analysis, to Psychology. When I tried to study Computer Science, I realized the magic that each line of code brings.
“In programming, there is no done – finished, which only in development – developing. Technology is getting more and more innovative every day, every day there are more new things to learn, so I am constantly fascinated”, Chau said. She can sit all day and night to tinker with this subject. Pomona is my target. at that time because the school is located in California, near Silicon Valley, has highly appreciated science and technology programs and graduates are selected by many big technology corporations such as Apple, Google, and Microsoft.
Chau’s academic record is in good standing with the school’s overall score of 9.5/10, SAT 1510/1600 (top 1% in the world), SAT II Math 790/800 and IELTS 8.0 with many great prizes. as small as the first prize of the Hackathon Wicode programming contest, the silver prize of the IYMC Math competition 2021.
Regarding extracurricular activities, I am an active member of the Social Activities Club of the High School for Foreign Languages (CNNShine), which has organized many charity events such as a music night to donate to the Blood Institute’s Meal Bank. Central School of Blood Transfusion. She is also the co-founder of Viesign – the first online sign language learning website in Vietnam. Viesign has been working with the Center for the Study of Education of the Deaf (CED) to apply the learning platform to Sign Language students and hospital physicians.
Ms. Tran Thi Hong Ha, Chau’s homeroom teacher at the High School for Foreign Languages, assessed that Chau’s achievements stood out at school with her subject scores being always in the top of the class. “Chau has worked hard to do well in every aspect, from studies to activities, so even if you choose gap yearI still believe that you have a reasonable calculation to ensure you win a scholarship to a prestigious school,” Ms. Ha said.
Possessing a good record, but because he still has to compete with those with strong records, Chau put his heart into the essay – the remaining factor is decisive to impress the school’s admissions committee.
With a main essay of 650 words, Chau writes about Hanoi city through the eyes of a programmer. I describe the old town with concepts in web programming.
“With my own feelings, the zigzag alleys of the old town are like programming problems. Every time I go to the old town, I find many new things, from eateries, second-hand shops; like Like every time I encounter a problem, I challenge myself by trying a new solution. I look at life through the eyes of programming with curiosity and passion and share this in my essay,” Chau said. To share.
The Hanoi girl also expressed her pride in growing up in a family with men who do scientific research and good women who are willing to make sacrifices. Her love for home and family has inspired her to become independent, ready to study and research to contribute to the community.
Ha Chau next to his family. Photo: Characters provided
In addition to the main essay, Pomona University requires applicants to answer three questions to introduce themselves. Instead of doing it the usual way, Chau got creative by answering each question with a stanza and combining the three stanzas into a complete poem. This poem tells about the growing up journey of Chau and his siblings with the piano – an instrument that he has played since childhood. That journey was described with enough happy and sad memories that now, looking back, Chau sees that he has learned a lot about tolerance and compassion.
“Through the essay, I think I have shown my personality. As a girl who is passionate about science, she also has an artistic soul and has a lot of creativity. I think diversity is the reason why the school likes it. you”, Chau said.
Next August, Chau will go to the US to study Computer Science and Cognitive Science at Pomona. She also expressed her curiosity and desire to try to study Linguistics and Art History – majors that are also strengths of the school.
at Blogtuan.info – Source: vnexpress.net – Read the original article here
