Thao Nhi, 17 years old, was awarded a scholarship of nearly 8 billion VND by Case Western University with an essay about the common points between public speaking and scientific research.
Unlike many students who usually apply to famous schools with high rankings in the Early Decision exam, Phan Thao Nhi, a 12th grade student specializing in Biology at Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted, chose to apply to schools that were "within her reach" to ensure her chances of passing. When she received a congratulatory email from Case Western University, a top 53 school in the US, Nhi was not too surprised, but the financial support of 8 billion VND was unexpected good news.
After deducting expenses, Nhi needs to pay an additional VND300,000 million each year, which is one-third of her family's initial plan. The female student will study Biology for four years, then continue studying Medicine to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor.
In the United States, a bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement for students to continue applying to medical school.
Phan Thao Nhi, a student at Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Provided by the character
Nhi has been interested in medicine since she was a child, through her father's story. Nhi said that her father used to love being a doctor, but for some reasons he had to pursue engineering. After graduating as an engineer, her father passed the exam and studied General Medicine at Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine. This time he had to drop out of school, leaving his dream of becoming a doctor unfulfilled.
"My father didn't suggest or guide me, but I felt his desire for a career in medicine. I was curious about what that career was like, why my father was so passionate about it, and gradually paid attention. By 4th grade, I knew I wanted to pursue this career," Nhi said.
According to Nhi, she is lucky to be good at Biology. In grade 9, Nhi won first prize in the city-level Biology competition. This achievement helped Nhi feel confident in her chosen career.
In the summer of 11th grade, Nhi attended a 5-week course on Molecular Biology and Cell Biology at the Stem Cell Institute of the University of Natural Sciences, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City. Nhi learned about cell electrophoresis and gene segment cutting and splicing. When she was able to "handle" it directly, Nhi realized that this subject has many impacts on people, thereby increasing her passion and interest in researching and reading more documents about the subject.
"With basic knowledge of molecular biology, I realized that the achievements of biotechnology help change human life such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) or applying gene modification to cure cancer and Down's disease," Nhi said, adding that this is also the reason she chose General Biology at university level to explore many new things in this field.
Besides Biology, public speaking is the second passion of the female student. Nhi has participated and won high prizes in many large and small competitions, such as the first prize in the English Public Speaking Competition for High School Students 2023. The female student also won first prize in the Asia Youth Leaders 2023 competition in Japan in August.
Nhi combined these two passions in her main essay to prove that being good at debating is an advantage for scientists. Nhi said that at first she thought that debating was not related to the work of researchers. One side was social activities, the other side was more inclined towards natural sciences. But when she was guided to read scientific articles at the Stem Cell Institute, she realized that scientists had different views on the same issue. They used research to prove their views. It was also a confrontation like in debating, except that it was not face-to-face. From there, Nhi believed that a person who was good at debating, had a multi-dimensional perspective, believed in his or her views and sought to prove them correct was also a person suitable for research.
"I tried 4 or 5 other topics before but didn't get anywhere. When I came up with this topic, I was so excited that I wrote it straight away in two hours without much editing," the female student said.
Nhi assessed the essay to help unify the application, and at the same time show the admissions committee her qualities and seriousness about the subject. In the application, Nhi included an IELTS certificate of 8.0 and an SAT score of 1,480/1,600, along with achievements in debate competitions and other extracurricular activities.
Thao Nhi doing cell experiments at the Stem Cell Institute in July. Photo: Character provided
Ms. Le Dieu Linh, Thao Nhi's profile consultant, assessed her as persistent, very progressive, responsible for her work, energetic, and enthusiastic in community activities.
Nhi is passionate about science, has accumulated a lot of experience related to Biochemistry and public health, showing that she has basic preparations for the career she is interested in in the future: Medicine. Nhi is also lucky because she chose Case Western in the early admission round - this is usually the round where the school prioritizes the highest scholarship support because the candidate shows special interest and chooses the school as the number 1 choice, according to Ms. Linh.
Thao Nhi believes that her greatest luck is that her family trusts and supports her absolutely in every choice. Her parents love her and always talk to her like a friend. She can make her own decisions from studying at a specialized school to studying abroad and her career. Her parents' support helps her to be confident and independent in life.
"I always want to become the best version of myself, to have proud achievements in the future. This is also the motivation that urges me to be serious and make efforts every day," Nhi said.
Vnexpress.net
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