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When Pham Nguyen Hoang Quan received his acceptance letter from the U.S. university for its biochemistry program in late March, the 12th grader in the specialized chemistry class at Luong The Vinh High School for the Gifted in Dong Nai Province breathed a sigh of relief.

More than a year of intense preparations had paid off.

According to U.S. News & World ReportNotre Dame is the 18th best university in the country this year.

Quan was also admitted to biochemistry programs at 15 other U.S. institutions. He chose this major to build a strong foundation for pursuing the field of medicine in future.

“I felt deeply emotional that my hard work paid off after such a grueling journey,” Quan says.

He describes himself as guided more by emotion than logic and sometimes “stubborn and headstrong.”

Many of his decisions, whether to study medicine or to go abroad, are impulsive, but once he commits to a goal, he pursues it with unwavering determination and discipline, he says.

He first encountered chemistry in eighth grade and grew to love it after being inspired by his teacher.

Though he initially planned to join the school’s math team, he switched gears to compete in chemistry.

“My teacher worried I could not keep up—other students had been studying chemistry on their own since sixth grade—but I was determined,” Quan says.

He placed first in the entrance exam for 10th‑grade chemistry specialty class at Luong The Vinh High School for the Gifted.

He then taught himself additional math and biology, intending to apply to the Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy to fulfill his childhood dream of becoming a doctor.

While in 10th grade he had suffered a gastric hemorrhage and vomited blood, and after recovering his resolve to study medicine grew stronger.

He says: “I admire doctors. Thanks to their care, I overcame agonizing pain. so I want to excel like they do.”

While in 11th grade, Quan stumbled upon videos about life in the U.S. as a student and liked the idea of testing himself in a new environment.

His parents initially opposed both his choice of medicine and desire to study abroad.

Quan persisted, explaining to them his ambitions in detail until he finally got their support.

With just one year to prepare his applications, Quan knew the journey would be daunting. His advisers warned he was starting too late.

“The risk was high, I might not get into any school, but once I had decided, I was not going to back down. Instead of fearing failure, I threw myself into the process and gave it my all.”

Over the following summer he studied every day for academic tests, built his résumé of extracurricular activities and drafted application essays.

He scored 7.5 in IELTS and 1,470 out of 1,600 on SAT, which was below his goal, but there was no time for him to retake it.

He then focused on Advanced Placement exams, earning a perfect 5 in AP chemistry.

Quan also organized charity trips to Dak Lak and Dak Nong provinces, teaching children about nutritious food, and spent every weekend from June to August 2024 in HCMC volunteering at Children’s Hospital 1.

He says: “That experience was so meaningful. Seeing kids undergoing dialysis or chemotherapy made my own pressures feel insignificant and strengthened my resolve to pursue medicine.”

In his application, Quan found the part about his personal statement the most daunting.

He chose to write about his climbing Mount Chua Chan in Dong Nai.

A week before the deadline, despite dozens of revisions, his adviser found the essay unremarkable.

Panicked, Quan rewrote it from scratch and ultimately felt it was far “more compelling.”

He recounted setting out with his class at 6 a.m. and not returning until 8 p.m.

Having previously climbed Fansipan and Japan’s Mount Fuji while on family trips, he assumed Chua Chan, an 800 m climb, would be easy.

But three‑quarters of the way up he ran out of steam and suffered severe cramps. With only his homeroom teacher for support and his classmates already at the summit, he considered giving up.

But seeing them above him, he resolved to press on.

Quan began crawling, hands gripping the rocks, with his teacher guiding and pulling him upward.

The descent proved equally treacherous, with the steep, uneven terrain causing him to stumble frequently.

He says: “That climb taught me about risk, perseverance and other qualities essential for my future career as a doctor. Overcoming my own limits in the mountains taught me how to push myself in my studies and personal growth.”

His homeroom teacher, Huynh Van Dung, praises Quan’s academic excellence, sharp intellect and diverse talents, which include playing the violin.

“Quan is warm-hearted, sincere and always attentive to others. He listens, shares and lends a hand whenever his friends face difficulties.”

Quan is now studying AP math and biology to prepare for his four-year sojourn in the U.S.

“I also plan to conquer Mount Chua Chan again before departing for [the U.S.] this fall.”