VietNamNet Bridge - Dinh Thi Huong Thao, from Nam Dinh, has been called the ‘golden physics girl’ as she won two gold medals at the International Physics Olympiad in 2015 and 2016. 

Thao has been given a full scholarship worth VND6.3 billion from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US.

Thao said the two gold medals at the international competitions and awards  she got for excellent marks were only a few of the factors that helped her persuade MIT’s enrollment board to grant the scholarship. 

“It is not important that you have something better than others, but it is important to show what you have learned and grow up after the process,” Thao said.

The biggest disadvantage for Thao was that she only had five to six months to prepare to apply to MIT, from English skills to tests and essays. However, the difficulties helped Thao have strong determination.

“My TOEFL score was not high. However, I realized that I could show my other abilities  via the essays,” she said.

Dinh Thi Huong Thao, from Nam Dinh, has been called the ‘golden physics girl’ as she won two gold medals at the International Physics Olympiad in 2015 and 2016.

Besides the main essay, MIT also had five questions (additional essays) about different aspects in the life of candidates. And in the essays, Thao wrote about how she, as a female student majoring in science, has inspired other females.

“I also wrote that when attending competitions, I could not communicate freely with my friends in the same room because my English skills were not perfect. However, since we had the same passion for physics, we still could become friends and exchange views,” she said.

“When answering the questions, I showed different aspects of my character. Talking about my hobbies and family, I wrote that my parents sell pho, and Nam Dinh pho is well known in Vietnam,” she said.

The school also asked Thao to name four extracurricular activities that Thao understood thoroughly. Thao believes that MIT does not require candidates to experience many activities, but just wanted to find out how they improve themselves after the activity.

Thao talked about the teaching of physics to students at school, participation at seminars and Mottainai Day organized by Phu Nu (Women) newspaper.

“I am happy about writing the essay expressing myself in the most comprehensive way. This is probably the key to my success,” Thao said.

Thao, in conversation with reporters, repeatedly emphasized that her achievements were not the only thing she wanted to show to the enrollment board.

“Achievements do not necessarily show your passion for study. It is important to demonstrate your passion,” she explained.