Vietnamese teen lands 12 US university offers with story of grandfather's truck repair shop

Nguyen Minh Quang of Hanoi-Amsterdam High School for the Gifted said he was most surprised to be accepted by Vanderbilt University, ranked 18th in the U.S. by U.S. News, due to its selective 3.3% acceptance rate.

"I burst into joy but didn't dare to scream as I was at school," Quang recalled the moment he received the news.

Among other universities that accepted Quang were the University of Virginia, UC San Diego, and UC Davis, all ranked within the top 50 nationally.

He has chosen to study Mechanical Engineering at Vanderbilt, stemming from cherished memories of his grandfather, a former wartime truck engineer who later opened his own repair shop.

Quang vividly recalled a rainy, cold night when he was 11, watching his grandfather brave the elements to repair their family's truck with nothing but a flashlight and a wrench he had used for three decades.

"He never uttered a single complaint," he said. Locals even affectionately referred to his grandfather's repair shop as a "hospital for trucks."

Watching and helping his grandfather work, Quang developed a deep interest in vehicles. "I started dreaming of creating tougher and safer cars that require less maintenance," he said, explaining how his experiences shaped the compelling personal essay he submitted to 20 U.S. universities.

Minh Quang (upper row, 2nd from left) and his teammates at a robotics competition in February 2024. Photo courtesy of Quang

From trucks to robots

Quang's enthusiasm for engineering also shone through his extracurricular activities, particularly robotics competitions. Since 10th grade, he has been actively involved with Green Arms Robotics, competing in both national and international robot design and programming contests.

He emphasized the importance of highlighting meaningful extracurricular activities in university applications. Rather than listing all activities, he focused on those he deeply engaged in, such as the FIRST Tech Challenge competition in 2024. He cherished not just the "Breakthrough Idea" award but the countless nights spent refining robots in labs, honing photography skills, and managing his team's schedules.

His diverse interests and rigorous academic profile were further highlighted by a summer research project supervised by a Georgia Institute of Technology mentor, involving materials science research to enhance aircraft wings. Quang aims to apply this knowledge to automotive manufacturing, making lighter, safer and more efficient cars.

Balancing time zone differences, SAT preparation, essay writing and robotics practice was challenging. "I never expected to manage all these activities simultaneously, even when I stayed up until 3 a.m.," Quang reflected. "The journey of applying abroad has revealed new personal limits."

Nguyen Duc Cuong, Quang's homeroom teacher, praised his diligence and passion for robotics and studying in the U.S. "He always gives his best, academically and in extracurriculars," Cuong said.

Looking ahead, Quang plans to focus on academic studies in his first year in the U.S. and explore clubs and internships afterward. He also intends to continue his passion for photography.