Phan Minh Đăng - VAS Student Scores in the Top 2% Globally on the SAT and Earns Admission to Prestigious US Universities

From a composed and focused Grade 12.2 student at VAS Sala, Phan Minh Đăng has made the VAS community proud by raising his SAT score from 1350 to 1510 - earning him a place in the top 2% of test takers worldwide.

Phan Minh Đăng has made the VAS community proud by raising his SAT score from 1350 to 1510

Đăng has further proven his outstanding academic capabilities by receiving multiple offers of admission and scholarships from some of the most prestigious universities in the United States—dream schools for thousands of students around the world:

• University of Florida (UFlorida) | Ranked Top 7 among US public universities and Top 30 nationally, UFlorida is a member of the elite “Public Ivy” group known for academic and research excellence.
• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) | Ranked Top 33 nationally and Top 10 in the world for Engineering.
• University of Rochester | Ranked Top 44 in the US, this renowned liberal arts and research institution awarded Dang a $40,000 scholarship for four years. It is often referred to as a “hidden gem” among top-tier Northeastern universities.
• University of Washington | Ranked Top 46 in the US, UW is a leader in technology, biomedical science, and research, and one of the top research-funded institutions in the country.
• Northeastern University | Ranked Top 54 in the US, Northeastern is widely recognized for its unique Co-op model integrating academic learning with hands-on professional experience.

The journey of a calm, determined, and self-driven young man

In the eyes of his teachers and friends, Minh Đăng is warm, charismatic, and grounded. His homeroom teacher describes him as resolute, composed, and humble—three qualities that define this exceptional student.

“Minh Đăng is highly independent, proactive in his learning, and has a clear academic direction. He is always researching, learning from multiple sources, and building his own strategic path toward his goals,” shared his teacher.

Đăng shared that his decision to apply to public universities in the US was driven by their large academic communities and extensive opportunities for growth and networking.

The CAPI program at VAS—particularly in subjects like Math, English, and Business—provided him with strong academic foundations, advanced vocabulary, and the writing skills needed to achieve an impressive IELTS score of 8.0.

He has also been an active member of several community service projects at VAS, including “The Gardener” and other charitable initiatives.

Beyond academics, Đăng has taken internships with companies to enrich his real-world experience and professional development.

His advice to younger students: “Start planning early and set a clear direction from Grade 10.”

“Once you’ve chosen your IGCSE subjects, it’s hard to change paths. Also, invest your effort in the personal statement—it’s your chance to show who you are, what makes you unique, the person you aspire to become, and how you hope to contribute to the community,” Đăng shared.

Minh Đăng’s journey is more than just impressive scores and university acceptances. It is a living example of determination, self-directed learning, and compassion—core values that VAS strives to nurture in every student.

Congratulations to Phan Minh Đăng and his family on this remarkable achievement.

We are proud of you, Minh Đăng!