Discussing traditional culture, female student wins 8.6 billion VND scholarship to go to America

(Dan Tri) - Le Hoang Tien - a 12A1 student at Foreign Language High School - was admitted early to Vassar College, ranked 12th among the top liberal arts colleges in the United States.

Vassar College accepted Le Hoang Tien's early admission (ED1) application with a financial support package of up to more than 90%, equivalent to 85,000 USD/year and 340,000 USD for 4 years (about 8.65 billion VND).

Tien received her acceptance letter on the morning of December 7. The email with the words "congratulations" came at an unexpected time, making the student burst into joy. "The feeling that surged through me at that moment was 'I finally did it'," Tien confided.

Le Hoang Tien - student of class 12A1, Foreign Language High School (Photo: Bich Hang).

Tien has been preparing to study abroad in the US since the end of middle school. Studying for 9 years in the intermediate level, majoring in piano at the Vietnam National Academy of Music since grade 4, Tien was faced with two choices: should she continue studying culture or focus on becoming a performing artist.

In the end, Tien chose to study languages ​​while maintaining the last 3 years at the conservatory. Despite her great love for the piano, Tien decided not to become a professional pianist because she wanted to explore art and culture in many different roles, not just limited to the role of a performing artist.

Vassar requires each student to write a major essay, a minor essay, and a creative piece. Tien started writing her essays around the second semester of 11th grade, going through many changes in topic ideas until she found a satisfactory topic.

My essay focuses on cultural experiences from family life, study, and times on stage, and from there I draw a direction for my own cultural discovery journey: looking at culture from diverse perspectives to be able to appreciate, preserve, and promote national culture.

Tien further revealed that her essay was based on her own true experiences and was written like a slow-motion film in words. "The images in the essay can help the admissions committee clearly visualize what you go through and how you think," Tien said.

Le Hoang Tien took the IELTS test for the first time and got 8.0 without any preparation (Photo: Bich Hang).

In the supplementary essay, Tien wrote about her personal charity trip to Son La and the values ​​she learned from observing the cultural customs of ethnic minorities.

To increase the "weight" of the application, Tien needs to ensure excellent academic performance. A female student studying at two schools at the same time, must have a strategy to divide the stages and divide the goals into small steps to achieve.

In grade 10, Tien studied for the SAT, participated in English and music competitions. In grade 11, Tien focused on scientific research projects and extracurricular activities, and started writing essays. In grade 12, Tien took the IELTS test, completed her essay and the rest of her application.

Overall, Tien achieved a GPA of 9.6, SAT score of 1,540, IELTS score of 8.0, third prize in English in the Northern Delta Coastal region's excellent student exam, and third prize in the English Olympic at the National University level. The female student shared that she had been studying for the SAT for nearly a year and did not spend time studying for IELTS because "her English knowledge was enough".

Tien also worked as a world columnist for a major newspaper, interned at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology - multimedia department, conducted a research project on the market culture of the highland people and won first prize at the Singapore International Piano Competition.

The project that Tien is most proud of is the charity concert that she organized herself to raise money for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

The female student is both the Head of the Organizing Committee, Head of the Content Committee, and a performing artist. Playing Chopin's Grande valse brillante Op.18, Tien said she felt proud to perform on a stage that she herself had helped build.

Le Hoang Tien will be going to the US to study at the end of next summer. She is currently focusing on completing her high school education in Vietnam as well as preparing the necessary skills to integrate into the university environment in the US.

Tien is excited to attend Vassar College because it is a place where she can fully develop her multi-dimensional personality and passion for art.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/luan-ve-van-hoa-truyen-thong-nu-sinh-gianh-hoc-bong-86-ty-dong-toi-my-20241218220532312.htm