Capturing acceptances from top schools in the U.S. and U.K., Class of 2026 Nhu received letters from Stanford, Yale, Cornell, Duke, UCLA, and UC Berkeley, as well as LSE and King’s College in the UK.
Capturing acceptances from top schools in the U.S. and U.K., Class of 2026 Nhu received letters from Stanford, Yale, Cornell, Duke, UCLA, and UC Berkeley, as well as LSE and King’s College in the UK.
Getting into one of the world’s top universities is a dream for many, but for St. Paul American School Hanoi senior Nhu, that dream became a reality several times over. She received acceptance letters from Stanford, Yale, Cornell, Duke, UCLA, and UC Berkeley, as well as LSE and King’s College in the UK.
We sat down with Nhu to chat about how she navigated the grueling application process, the mentors who helped her, and the “good problem” of choosing between some of the best schools on earth.
The Power of the AP Curriculum
Nhu embraced the unlimited Advanced Placement (AP) courses available at St. Paul. She has already completed 11 AP exams and is currently finishing 4 more, she credits this diverse workload with shaping her perspective.
“More than just the content, I think AP classes really train how I think and work. They pushed me to manage a heavy workload, handle pressure, and get comfortable with independent thinking. You have to connect ideas across topics, not just memorize facts.”
The Perfect Application is Showing Individuality
In an era where many applications feel over-polished, Nhu made a conscious choice to stay human. She crafted her college application essays to show her personality, and asked our experienced teachers to help her achieve her goal.
By resisting the urge to edit out her voice, Nhu stood out in a sea of high test scores and perfect GPAs.
Outside of the classroom, Nhu’s impact was equally unique. Instead of traditional school clubs, she focused on:
“You cannot rush the essay writing process,” she says. “There’s no limit to how good an essay can be, but if it’s not a good representation of your personality, it’s not a good essay.”
Grateful for Mentors
Nhu was quick to highlight the teachers at St. Paul who made a big impact on her future:
The Big Decision
With the decision deadline coming in a few weeks, Nhu is still weighing her options. Whether it’s the innovation of Stanford, the theoretical depth of Yale, or the hands-on experience of Cornell, she is looking for a place that aligns with her future, wherever that may lead.
Nhu is currently hoping to secure a visa for a quick whirlwind tour of some campuses to feel the “vibe” of each location before making her final choice.
Good Advice
When asked what advice she would give to younger students aiming for prestigious universities, Nhu’s answer was refreshingly simple: Be yourself.
“As cliché as it sounds, I think it’s really important to enjoy what you do in high school, it only comes once. Instead of trying to fit a certain mold, you should focus on what you truly like and care about. That’s what makes you unique.”
We are incredibly proud of Nhu’s achievements and can’t wait to see which campus she calls home this fall!
