24/05/2016
Barnard has admitted an excellent candidate to receive the Barnard Club of Hong Kong Scholarship and the Lisa Stewart ‘80/BCHK Scholarship this fall.
Born on June 3, 1996, Thao Vy Vuong is 19 years old. She was born and raised in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Vy’s mother, Thu Suong T. Huynh, graduated from Ho Chi Minh City Medicine and Pharmacy University, and is a dentist with a specialty in stomatology (mouth disease). Dr. Huynh Thao’s father graduated from Ho Chi Minh City University, and is a customs officer. Vy has a 13 year old brother.
Vy attended the High School for the Gifted, VNUHCMC, in Ho Chi Minh City. She graduated with a score of 8.8 on a 10 point scale, making her a top student at her public high school. Her high school teachers have described her as energetic, inquisitive, and a true leader. In addition to excelling academically, Vy participated in a variety of extracurricular activities. She was a group leader of the International Volunteer Club, a non-profit organization that raises money, books and clothing for underprivileged children in rural areas. She participated in the prestigious Science and Technology Camp at KMUTT University in Thailand, working with graduate students on bio-engineering research. She also worked as a tutor, preparing students for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
Vy’s intellectual curiosity and inner strength are evident in her Barnard admissions application. In response to a question asking her to describe a time when she was unafraid to challenge herself or try something unexpected, Vy discussed her decision to take a gap year after high school. She described the Vietnamese educational system, which would have required her to declare her college major straight from high school, without the opportunity for further exploration or study. Taking a non-traditional route, Vy instead decided to take a gap year before attending college so that she think about what she wanted to do with her life. She stated that her gap year taught her more than she could have imagined. In a reference to Anna Quindlen ’74, who once said that, at Barnard, she “majored in unafraid,” Anna noted that “being unafraid is not easy but is definitely worth it. “
At Barnard, Vy plans to major in biochemistry and is also interested in biology and psychology. She is passionate about scientific research and ultimately would like to earn a Ph.D. In her first year at Barnard she is taking calculus, biology Buddhism, Reacting to the Past and Beginning Self Defense. She says there was some adjustment to curriculum and New York weather but says she is doing well. I think we can all be proud of her and wish her well.
Christine Mar
Director
Barnard Club of Hong Kong
