The first and only VASer in Vietnam to receive a full scholarship worth $257,912 at the University of Connecticut, successfully admitted to 16 prestigious American universities

The first and only VASer in Vietnam to receive a full scholarship worth $257,912 at the University of Connecticut, successfully admitted to 16 prestigious American universities

Out of 50,000 applicants worldwide (with only 5 slots available), after successfully navigating through two rounds of interviews, Le Minh Bao, a student from class 12H3 at Hoang Van Thu campus, has become the sole recipient of the prestigious Stamps Scholarship valued at $257,912 (equivalent to 6.3 billion VND) from the University of Connecticut.

The scholarship that Minh Bao has received will cover all educational expenses, including tuition, accommodation, insurance, alongside an additional $12,000 grant for four years at the University of Connecticut, to be utilized for personal research projects

Minh Bao didn't stop there. He also got into 15 other top US engineering universities, making it 16 schools in total so far.

• 1. University of Florida (UF)

  (#28 NU, #6 Public School; #34 Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs)

   

• 2. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) 

   

  (#35 NU, #5 Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs)

   

• 3. University of Wisconsin - Madison

  (#35 NU, #17 Best Undergraduate Engieering Programs)

   

• 4. Ohio State University 

  (#46 NU, #19 Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs)

   

• 5. University of Maryland

  (#46 NU, #19 Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs)

   

• 6. Texas A&M University

  (#47 NU, #13 Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs)

   

• 7. University of Minnesota Twin Cities 

  (#53 NU, #37 Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs)

  - Scholarship worth 40.000 USD for 04 years

   

• 8. University of Connecticut (UCONN) 

  (#58 NU, #26 Public School, #69 Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs)

  - The Stamps Scholarships, a full-ride scholarship program worth $257,912 USD, equivalent to 6.3 billion VND, for four years. Bao is the first Vietnamese student to receive this prestigious scholarship from the university. Out of more than 50,000 students worldwide who applied for the 2024-2025 academic year, he is among the five recipients of this scholarship.

   

• 9. Pennsylvania State University-University Park 

  (#60 NU, #19 Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs)

   

• 10. Michigan State University

  (#60 NU, #46 Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs)

  - Scholarship worth 48.000 USD for 04 years

   

• 11. University of Massachusetts -Amherst 

  (#67 NU, # 61 Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs)

  - Scholarship worth 64.000 USD for 04 years

   

• 12. University at Buffalo - Sunny

  (#76 NU, #61 Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs)

  - Scholarship worth 60.000 USD for 04 years

   

• 13. Worcester Polytechnic Institute

  (#82 NU, #61 Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs)

  - Scholarship worth 104.840 USD for 04 years

   

• 14. Rochester of Technology (New York)

  (#105 NU, #53 Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs)

  - Scholarship worth 104.000 USD for 04 years

   

• 15. Arizona State University 

  (#105 NU, #34 Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs)

  - Scholarship worth 58.000 USD for 04 years

   

• 16. University of Arizona 

  (#115 NU, #50 Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs)

  - Scholarship worth 92.000 USD for 04 years

Below is Minh Bao's invaluable insights into the strategies for successfully securing scholarships and gaining admission to the most prestigious universities in the United States:

“Studying in the United States is not only my future plan but also my family’s plan. To implement this plan, there are many considerations, potential difficulties, and time-consuming aspects. However, I have diligently prepared everything to reap the current success.

Throughout the year and a half of preparing for the study abroad application, a fundamental yet crucial task was self-exploration and understanding my passion. This was essential for crafting the Personal Statement essay. I chose the topic "Describe a topic, idea, or concept that you find so engaging that it makes you become completely absorbed, losing track of time" on the Common App submission page. In this essay, I expressed my curiosity about the field I am passionate about: Robotics Engineering. Robotics engineering, combining mechanics and programming automation, aligns perfectly with my interests in assembly and exploring control methods. I embarked on the journey of designing and constructing industrial robot arms.

When selecting universities, opportunities for internships were the primary criterion for me. Higher-ranked universities were prioritized due to their significant research achievements and strong academic communities. Additionally, top-tier schools often have extensive networks between labs and attract companies for student internships. Concurrently, maintaining academic excellence was crucial. I was fortunate to receive substantial support from Vietnamese teachers and those teaching the AS and A Level programs. With their help, I achieved good academic results. IELTS and SAT certificates played a significant role in competing with other applicants. Achieving the desired results in IELTS (7.5) and SAT (1510) required two years of dedicated preparation.

The third crucial factor was extracurricular activities. Engaging in activities allowed me to develop and demonstrate my passion. It was a vital aspect that universities considered when evaluating applicants. For me, focusing on extracurricular activities related to my major was a priority. Participating in internships, mentoring programs, or joining large and small projects or competitions showcased my commitment to the field. One remarkable experience was completing my Personal Project: Assembling my own 3-DOF Robot Arm with the assistance of college students and professors from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology. This project allowed me to delve into programming logic and optimization techniques for maze-solving robots.

Aside from specialized extracurricular activities, participating in social extracurriculars was more straightforward. Prioritizing leadership roles in social activities, such as becoming a leader or head of a department, was beneficial, as universities prefer students with leadership, guidance, and communication skills. Reflecting on my experience in running 5km, 10km, and even 21km marathons, I founded a running group named "The Unstoppable Feet" to share my experiences. Additionally, charity trips were essential. The most memorable was a day trip to Tay Ninh, organized by the Hoang Van Thu Student Council, where we supported underprivileged students at Phuoc Vinh B Primary School. These experiences developed teamwork, self-confidence, and a sense of empathy.

All these aspects were top priorities in building my application. This strategy allowed me to successfully compete in the admissions process for U.S. universities. Receiving congratulatory letters from the first university brought immense joy. Day by day, these letters increased. After months of hard work, I felt the success when I received acceptance offers from 16 top engineering universities in the United States. Particularly, I secured the Stamps Scholarship at the University of Connecticut during their interview. Remaining composed, I shared my experiences genuinely, reflecting a thorough preparation process.”