Pham Anh Thu (Class 12G2, Global Citizen Bilingual Program) has successfully secured admission offers from two of China's leading institutions: Fudan University (ranked in the Top 3 nationally) and Shanghai University (ranked in the Top 36 nationally), according to the THE World University Rankings 2026.

Resilience and Self-Belief in the Face of Rejection

"I was moved to tears because these results represent major, long-held goals of mine," Anh Thu shared.

Anh Thu’s aspiration to study in China began in the 10th grade. Initially drawn to the language, culture, and media through television shows, she started learning Chinese in late elementary school purely for entertainment. However, once she committed to pursuing higher education in the world's most populous nation, she began preparing with utmost seriousness.

To achieve her goal, Anh Thu mapped out a rigorous roadmap: dedicating her first two years of high school to maintaining a high GPA and accumulating extracurricular activities, before shifting her full focus in early 12th grade to securing international certifications. These included the HSK (Chinese proficiency test), IELTS, and the CSCA (China Scholastic Assessment Aptitude Test).

Through relentless effort, Anh Thu amassed an impressive academic profile, boasting a GPA above 9.0, an IELTS score of 7.0, and HSK 6 along with the Advanced HSKK (Spoken Chinese Test). She also delivered strong results on the CSCA exam, scoring 86.25/100 in Specialized Chinese, 91.25/100 in Social Chinese, and 87.5/100 in Mathematics.

According to Anh Thu, when applying to Chinese universities, candidates must submit a comprehensive study plan alongside their academic achievements and awards. This includes a personal introduction, an explanation of their choice of major and institution, and their goals for the four-year undergraduate journey.

During her time at Greenfield School, Anh Thu actively contributed as a collaborator for various seminars and events, and was a dedicated member of the Volunteer Club. Together with her peers, she organized the "Nang" (Sunshine) live show to raise funds for building libraries and playgrounds for children in remote mountainous areas.

Her application essay focused on personal growth, academic milestones, and extracurricular engagements. Rather than merely listing her activities, she aimed to demonstrate a clear sense of direction, leadership capacity, and the maturity she gained from these experiences.

Initially, Anh Thu focused her research on universities in Northern China. However, after carefully weighing factors such as the academic environment, climate, and the overall cost of living and tuition, she pivoted toward institutions in the South.

Shenzhen University was the first to release its results. Confident of her acceptance, Anh Thu was shocked to open a rejection letter. Yet, on that very same day, she received an interview invitation from the Fudan University Admissions Board. Overcoming the initial setback, she quickly regained her composure, grounded in the belief that "failing once does not make you a failure; you only fail when you give up."

Anh Thu noted that the interviewers generally asked personal questions and inquired about her extracurricular activities to assess her Chinese speaking skills and better understand her character. To her surprise, despite applying for a social sciences major, she was also given a mathematical problem to test her analytical thinking.

"I didn't give the exact correct answer for the math question, but I tried my best to think it through and share my reasoning with the interviewers to the best of my knowledge," Anh Thu recalled.

A week after the interview, Anh Thu received a conditional offer from Fudan University. Two months later, she secured another admission offer from Shanghai University. Transforming early failure and self-doubt into ultimate triumph, her relentless dedication finally bore fruit.

Choosing Psychology: Pursuing Passion with Conviction

Faced with the choice between majoring in Psychology at Fudan University and International Economics and Trade at Shanghai University, Anh Thu chose Fudan University to pursue her dream, believing that "true passion fuels the determination to succeed." This choice was the culmination of long-term exposure and inspiration.

Anh Thu revealed that the waiting period for university results was filled with intense pressure and anxiety that she felt unable to share with anyone. Having previously collaborated on the school's psychological seminars, she became acutely aware of the vital importance of mental health. She hopes to make meaningful contributions to society, particularly as an increasing number of people face psychological challenges in today's volatile world.

Entering Greenfield School in the 10th grade, Anh Thu hoped the new environment would guide and support her path toward studying abroad. Her three years there proved instrumental in her holistic development, equipping her with both academic excellence and the essential skills required for an international environment.

Anh Thu admitted she has no extraordinary study secrets and has experienced her share of mental breakdowns. However, once a goal is set, she channels all her energy into achieving it. In her daily routine, she sets strict deadlines for assignments, subjects, and study modules, tackling them systematically.

Most importantly, her journey was closely supported by her teachers.

"The results I achieved today were profoundly influenced by the faculty at Greenfield School. Ms. Thuong (Career Orientation Specialist) helped me discover the major I wanted to pursue; Ms. Linh (CEO of the Pre-University Study Abroad Alliance of 37 Chinese Universities in Vietnam, the Chinese program partner at Greenfield School) closely guided me through the application process; and my subject teachers always went above and beyond whenever I faced difficulties. I am deeply grateful for my three years at Greenfield School and have absolutely no regrets," Anh Thu expressed.

Anh Thu’s ultimate dream is to become a psychological counselor for social organizations. This aspiration, she noted, was nurtured at Greenfield School—a place where she felt respected, where her mental well-being was prioritized, and where her global perspective and social responsibility were expanded through Community Project classes and foundational psychology seminars.

May Anh Thu soon turn her dreams into reality, finding fulfillment and happiness just as she did during her memorable years at Greenfield School.