Brian Jeffrey
Student Achieves Admission to Top College
Tran Nam Khanh, a senior at the Hanoi High School for the Gifted in Foreign Languages, has received acceptance from Colby College during the early application period. Colby is recognized as one of the top 25 liberal arts colleges in the United States and has awarded him a scholarship worth VND7.5 billion.
“While Colby wasn’t my ultimate goal, it suits me perfectly. I’m pleased with the outcome,” Khanh expressed.
Khanh began preparing his application later than his classmates, leaving him with less time for his essay. Interestingly, this essay became his proudest achievement in the application process, sharing his personal explorations of relationships with himself and others.
Upon entering high school, Khanh experienced significant psychological changes. He felt a heightened sense of maturity and sensitivity, often overthinking situations while observing his peers living more carefree lives.
This sensitivity led to feelings of isolation from friends. Realizing this, Khanh made efforts to connect with them. However, the more he tried, the more pressure he felt.
“In seeking a sense of belonging, I lost touch with my true self,” Khanh reflected.
Eventually, Khanh chose to confront his emotions rather than evade them, learning to manage his feelings more effectively.
“By stopping the habit of projecting my thoughts onto others, I found relief—life became much simpler,” he noted.
“I learned to engage with others while staying true to myself, ultimately evolving into a more mature version of myself capable of forming authentic connections,” Khanh shared.
In his application essay, he likened individuals to “aliens,” emphasizing the uniqueness that each person brings to the community.
“I see everyone as an alien on their own planet, each holding distinct thoughts, feelings, and perspectives,” he elaborated.
Khanh is confident that his essay resonated with the admissions committee, revealing his identity and showcasing his evolution as an individual committed to self-improvement.
Alongside his compelling essay, Khanh boasts a strong profile, featuring a GPA of 9.6 out of 10, an IELTS score of 8.0, a Japanese language certification, and involvement in developing a national financial education strategy.
He is enthusiastic about studying economics and hopes to also explore psychology in his academic journey.
