The MiYork Story is back, this time spotlighting Đức Minh—a remarkable young man who has secured offers from prestigious universities across the U.S. and Canada. His achievements include acceptances to the University of Toronto (#1 in Canada, #21 globally), University of Waterloo (#1 in engineering in Canada, known as the "MIT of the North"), Purdue University (#4 in U.S. graduate engineering), and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (#5 in Electrical Engineering in the U.S.).

With an unshakable love for chess and mechanical engineering, paired with a unique and deeply personal essay on Buddhism, Minh’s story is one of dedication, resilience, and creativity.

A Buddhist-Inspired Essay That Touched Admissions Committees

For Minh, a passionate chess player and future mechanical engineer, the college application process was both rigorous and transformative. Submitting applications to top universities across two countries meant crafting nearly 50 essays and countless revisions. Among them, one stood out—a heartfelt piece about Buddhism, reflecting his growth and unique perspective.

Minh’s essay began with a story his mother often shared about his childhood. As a baby, Minh cried incessantly at night, and nothing seemed to help. In desperation, his parents sought guidance from a revered monk. This marked Minh’s first encounter with Buddhism.

The monk gave Minh a Buddhist name, and, as if by a miracle, the crying stopped. This moment sparked a lifelong connection to Buddhism, one that stayed with Minh as he grew. Whenever he wished for something, he would pray to Buddha, and to his amazement, his wishes often came true.

But a particular childhood experience reshaped his understanding of those prayers. Once, Minh asked Buddha for a wooden robot toy, but his parents declined his request. Disappointed, Minh shared his feelings with the monk, who kindly introduced him to a novice monk. Together, they decided to make a robot from scratch.

The initial attempts were far from perfect, yet Minh felt a sense of joy and pride he had never experienced before. Over time, his craftsmanship improved, and he forgot about the toy he had once longed for. Instead, he found fulfillment in the process of creating something meaningful.

Through this experience, Minh learned a profound lesson: Success isn’t a gift handed to us; it’s something we shape through hard work and persistence. It’s the journey of carving out our path and the strength of teamwork that truly matters.

This revelation fueled Minh’s interest in mechanical engineering—a discipline that demands creativity, precision, and a commitment to continuous learning.

‍

Chess: The Gateway to Mechanical Engineering

Minh’s journey into mechanical engineering was deeply rooted in his love for chess. For Minh, chess was more than just a game—it was a way to see the world. Each piece was like a mechanical part with a specific function, working together to form a system. Winning required strategy, foresight, and the ability to construct something greater than the sum of its parts.

Over the years, Minh honed his chess skills, earning accolades and rekindling his school’s neglected chess club. He recruited members, organized tournaments, and even collaborated with local schools to host city-wide events. Despite the challenges of being an international student managing everything alone, Minh’s passion helped him build a thriving chess community.

His efforts paid off: Minh trained 25 participants for four tournaments, organized two city championships, and personally secured runner-up and fourth-place finishes in regional and state competitions.

Chess became more than a hobby—it was a way to shape his future. Minh realized he loved assembling seemingly unrelated pieces into a cohesive whole, much like creating an engineering masterpiece. This epiphany solidified his decision to pursue mechanical engineering.

‍

Passion as the Catalyst, Perseverance as the Key

Once Minh decided on his career path, he threw himself into his studies and pursuits with unrelenting focus. He maintained a stellar GPA of 97%, excelled in math competitions, and sought hands-on experience in mechanical engineering.

In the summer before his senior year, Minh interned at PTSC, a leading oil and gas corporation in Vietnam. He was the only high school student among university engineering interns, learning AutoCAD, CNC programming, and the intricacies of machine operations. Minh’s attention to detail and commitment to improving designs for better user experiences deepened his passion for engineering and strengthened his confidence in his career choice.

‍

Breaking Boundaries with Harvard Research

Recognizing Minh’s potential, MiYork mentors connected him with a research project led by a Harvard graduate. Minh worked as a research assistant, helping to develop AI-powered software for analyzing blood loss in gauze for medical purposes.

Initially, the project seemed daunting. With limited knowledge of AI and medical technology, Minh found himself googling terms to keep up during meetings. Slowly but surely, he applied his analytical skills and logical thinking to contribute meaningfully to the project. By the end, Minh had not only completed his tasks but also gained valuable insights into interdisciplinary learning.

Minh’s journey is a testament to the power of passion, hard work, and resilience. He has not only chased his dreams but also carved a unique path to achieve them.

‍

From all of us at MiYork, we wish Minh unwavering confidence and continued success as he embarks on the next chapter of his life. 🌟

‍