Phi Ngoc Lam Uyen and her journey to secure an ivy league scholarship worth over 8.5 billion vnd

17 December, 2024

Phi Ngoc Lam Uyen, one of the first students at Olympia to pursue the IB Diploma, has just received an acceptance letter from Dartmouth College - one of the Top 8 Ivy League universities in the U.S. Dartmouth, ranked 15th among the nation’s best universities (according to USNews), also awarded her a scholarship worth $336,000 over four years, equivalent to 8.5 billion VND.

Overwhelmed with joy upon being accepted into her dream university, Lam Uyen expressed her heartfelt gratitude to her Olympia teachers, especially her IB instructors. She shared that, initially, she hadn’t planned to apply to Ivy League schools, thinking she was "not qualified enough." However, thanks to significant encouragement from Dr. Nguyen Chi Hieu, Olympia's Academic Director - who always believed she possessed the qualities sought by world-class universities - Lam Uyen gained the confidence to apply to these highly competitive institutions.

“Uyen has outstanding academic abilities and sharp thinking. She consistently contributes unique, in-depth ideas during class discussions and projects. Her passion for learning and curiosity inspires both her peers and teachers. Uyen can spend hours reading and researching topics that intrigue her. Despite her exceptional talents, she remains humble and modest, always eager to help others and actively participate in community projects,” shared Dr. Le Thi Tram Huong, Uyen’s advisor.

Lam Uyen’s academic excellence is evident through her numerous achievements. In 10th grade, she won two international gold medals for her scientific research at the “1 Idea 1 World” competition in Turkey and the “AI-JAM US Competition” in the United States.

In 11th grade, she co-authored a research paper on the impact of fertilizers on the chemical composition of basil essential oil, which was published in a Q2-ranked international journal. Uyen and her team also made it to the Top 10 at the “Company of the Year Startup Asia” competition in Malaysia in 2023 and the Top 30 globally at “The Earth Prize” in Switzerland. In the summer of 2024, she attended Yale University’s summer program with a scholarship, adding to her already impressive accomplishments.

As part of Olympia’s inaugural IB cohort, Uyen shares that the program has greatly enriched her personal development. From in-depth research and varied perspectives on a single issue to practical learning experiences, essays, reports, and presentations, Uyen, who has a passion for science and writing, has ample opportunities to explore her interests. Over time, she has grown more confident and open to engaging with others and the world.

Lam Uyen has taught English to nearly 300 students in Moc Ly, Moc Chau, and led creative writing workshops for nearly 100 high school students in Hanoi and Northern provinces. Currently, she and her team, in collaboration with a French illustrator, are working on a Vietnamese language textbook for overseas Vietnamese communities. “Someday, I hope to publish my own storybook,” shared Uyen, whose adventurous spirit and love for scuba diving complement her passion for creative writing.

With plans to major in Biochemistry and explore Neuroscience, Lam Uyen’s upcoming journey at Dartmouth College promises to be filled with exciting experiences and success.