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Multilingual Prodigy Secures Spot at Harvard: An Athletic Achiever’s Journey

Talented student admitted to Harvard: speaks 4 languages, plays sports

Student Achieves Admission to Harvard University

In December, Phan Linh Lan, a Concordia International School Hanoi student, received news of her acceptance to Harvard University, the sole institution she applied to through early enrollment. This year, Harvard holds a prestigious position, ranking third according to THE rankings for 2025. Notably, Linh Lan is the first student from her school to gain admission to Harvard since its foundation.

“Receiving this news was a delightful surprise. I was aware that the acceptance rate at Harvard is quite low, so I was mentally ready for a possible rejection,” Linh Lan remarked.

Linh Lan hails from a family that places a strong emphasis on education. She transitioned from British International School (BIS) to Concordia International School after sixth grade, motivated by her fascination with American culture due to the movies she watched.

She began her ACT preparation and achieved an impressive score of 35 out of 36.

Among many elite American universities, Linh Lan had her sights set on Harvard, drawn by its distinguished professors and successful alumni. To strengthen her application, she participated in Harvard’s summer program for two consecutive years during her high school journey, where she explored courses in Law and History, fully immersed in a campus experience.

These experiences were pivotal, solidifying her resolve to gain acceptance into Harvard.

Starting in 11th grade, she compiled her application, although the groundwork for this moment had been laid much earlier. Linh Lan consistently excelled academically, actively engaging in research and earning two first-place awards at the AI JAM competition. Her projects focused on using AI technology to conserve endangered bird species in Vietnam and improve road safety measures through AI.

Additionally, she has undertaken a leadership role as the high school president of DECA Vietnam, an organization dedicated to fostering business and entrepreneurial skills among students.

In her primary essay for Harvard, Linh Lan conveyed her passion for history and dedication to cultural preservation, which inspired her to learn to play the dan tranh, a traditional Vietnamese instrument, as a means to celebrate her country’s cultural heritage amid modernity.

She particularly enjoyed writing her supplemental essay about her family’s business, reflecting on her experiences traveling with her parents as an interpreter at ages 12-13. These journeys enhanced her understanding of their work and the value of foreign languages.

“There were times they couldn’t be with us during the Tet holiday due to business discussions abroad, but these trips made me feel like an integral part of the family business,” she shared.

Following these experiences, Linh Lan took the initiative to learn additional languages, including Chinese and French, in addition to her studies in English and Spanish.

A talented individual, she excels in playing multiple musical instruments, such as the dan tranh, piano, violin, and flute. Moreover, she has earned accolades in various sports, including swimming, basketball, tennis, and golf.

Her mother, Do Thuy Linh, expressed astonishment at her daughter’s vibrant enthusiasm for her diverse activities.

“Aside from her academic endeavors, she actively participates in competitions and interacts with students from other schools. She cultivates a disciplined routine, balancing reading and exercise,” Linh noted.

Ben Compton, her college advisor, praised Lan’s inquisitive nature and her keen interest in exploring various subjects, particularly history and politics.


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