In her application essay, Nguyen Vu Ha Linh wrote about learning to “break out of her shell,” comparing herself to a crab shedding its hard armor as she grew more confident through school activities.
Linh received an email in December informing her that she had been admitted under the Early Decision (ED) round, along with 100% financial support from the university. The total value of the aid package for four years of study is estimated at around VND10 billion (US$380,000), according to the family.
“I couldn’t believe my eyes,” Linh said. “I had hoped for it, but I never imagined it would be full support.” She is among a small number of Vietnamese students to receive a full undergraduate financial aid package from a U.S. university during this year’s early decision cycle.
Linh’s mother, Vu Thi Thu, said she was proud of her daughter’s persistence. While she supported Linh’s dream of studying in the U.S., she had worried about the family’s financial capacity. “I had to read the admission letter again and again before I could believe it,” she recalled.
Linh’s interest in the U.S. began at an early age, shaped by films and visits to relatives that left her with an impression of a dynamic and open society. After gaining admission to the English-specialized track at Hanoi-Amsterdam High School for the Gifted, she began preparing seriously for overseas applications from Grade 10.
Academically, Linh built a strong profile. She achieved a SAT score of 1560 out of 1600 in the summer of Grade 10, and earned an IELTS score of 8.0. She also won second prize in Hanoi’s city-level English competition.
Beyond academics, Linh took part in a range of extracurricular activities. She served as an Ams Ambassador, participated in major school events, and became captain of the Cheer Ams cheerleading club in the 2024-2025 school year. She said these experiences helped her develop communication skills, teamwork and leadership.
Balancing test preparation and extracurricular commitments was stressful at first. Linh later learned to break her goals into smaller tasks and plan week by week instead of leaving everything until the last minute. This allowed her to study independently for two to three hours each evening while still maintaining time for herself and personal projects.
One project Linh is particularly proud of is Truc Xanh, a charity initiative supporting nursing homes that lack funding and medical beds. She and her friends raised donations, delivered beds in person and spent time talking with elderly residents. “I realized how even small actions can create positive impacts on others,” Linh said.
She also co-founded “Tu Su,” a youth project aimed at making Vietnamese history and culture more accessible. The group designed illustrated flashcards on the Tran Dynasty who ruled Vietnam between 1225-1400, and built a website introducing traditional folk games.
Linh said the most challenging part of the application process was writing her personal essays. She began working with a mentor in the summer of Grade 11, several months before the application deadline, and initially struggled to find a topic she felt was distinctive.
The main essay eventually took shape around her experience as an Ams Ambassador. Linh described herself as a shy student who once avoided interaction, comparing herself to a crab hiding inside a hard shell. Through participating in school activities and leadership roles, she gradually learned to connect with others and gained the confidence to step forward and grow.
She completed the main essay after more than a month and five drafts, and wrote three supplemental essays specifically for Washington and Lee University. One explained why she chose the school, comparing it to a close-knit cheerleading team that supports each member’s growth. Another reflected on greeting traditions to show her desire to connect people. The final essay focused on the Indian film “3 Idiots,” which influenced how she views learning and life, with its message of pursuing excellence rather than chasing success.
Do Xuan Anh, from the Inception overseas education consulting center, said Linh’s application stood out for its clear personal growth narrative, distinctive voice, and long-term commitment to projects related to community service, history and culture.
Linh plans to major in Communications and is considering Data Science to broaden future career opportunities. She is learning more about academic life and daily living in the U.S., preparing herself for cultural differences and new challenges.
“I want to continue building independence, managing my time well, and maintaining personal discipline,” Linh said.
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