In addition to Swarthmore, Hai An received admission offers from six other U.S. universities, each granting annual aid between USD 27,000 and 57,000.

Starting early with purpose

Her dream of studying abroad began in seventh grade. What drew her most to American liberal arts colleges was the flexibility to explore diverse fields before declaring a major - a perfect fit for her interdisciplinary ambitions.

By mid-10th grade, An had begun building her application in earnest. She prioritized finishing standardized tests early to focus on essays and deeper projects. The summer before 11th grade, she scored 1540 on the SAT.

For An, a strong college application isn’t about doing as much as possible, but about telling a cohesive and authentic story. Among all the components she submitted, her personal essay was the most meaningful.

Written in just ten days, the essay captured her reflections on the unseen burdens people carry - particularly those facing prejudice and social exclusion. An highlighted discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community and the often-invisible struggles of migrant workers.

Her growing awareness led her to apply for a position at a labor export company, hoping to better understand the lives of people working overseas. She began with simple phone support tasks but found herself unexpectedly pulled into a deeply human exchange.

One message came from a woman working in Taiwan who felt broken and unable to adjust to life abroad. An responded with comforting words: “Things will get better.” But when the chat ended, An sat in the dark, staring at her laptop, shaken by how superficial her support had felt.

“I logged off and went to sleep, but she was still there - alone,” An recalled.

It was the moment she realized that empathy, though important, isn’t enough. Without concrete systems of support, countless people remain unseen and unheard.

From personal reflection to social impact

That turning point inspired An and her peers to launch a project called Nhan Thao Van Hanh, a community initiative promoting safe migration. The project shares accurate information through social media and runs in-person classes in a border commune of Lang Son province to help residents understand risks and stay safe.

They also created a mobile app and a handbook to help workers recognize and avoid illegal migration traps. Her initiative was selected among the top 30 projects in Vietnam by the United Nations Development Programme, under a program focused on climate change and migration.

At the same time, Hai An pursued her academic interests through research. She founded SPARK (Students’ Platform for Academic Research and Knowledge) - a platform connecting high school students with experts to conduct formal research projects aimed at publication in reputable journals.

To her, research isn't just a way to enhance an application. It's a tool for understanding complex problems, developing evidence-based solutions, and building critical thinking skills.

She believes every part of her application reflected a single core value: social responsibility.

“Swarthmore isn’t looking for perfect students,” she said. “They’re looking for people who know who they are, and who want to use knowledge to drive change.”

Hai An will soon leave for the U.S. with plans to major in Economics. Her goal is to become a policy advisor or consultant - someone who can help address the very challenges she has been working to understand.

Thuy Nga