Fulbright University Vietnam does not evaluate you solely based on test scores.

Through a special two-round admissions process (Application and Interview), Fulbright wants to understand who you are, what you care about, and how you have grown through your experiences. The university seeks individuals with academic ability and one of the following qualities: Intellectual curiosity, Pioneering spirit, and Care for others.

In the first post of our “How to get into Fulbright?” series, let’s explore the quality of “Intellectual curiosity”.

💙What is “Intellectual curiosity”? It’s a thirst for knowledge; a readiness to listen to new ideas and diverse perspectives; an ability to embrace sound and persuasive arguments.

💙How is “Intellectual curiosity” demonstrated? Let’s hear from the Class of 2028 — our freshmen — about how they showcased this quality to the Admissions team.

Bao Giang

“If I hadn’t had intellectual curiosity about my own capabilities, could I have established and run a volunteer club? If I hadn’t been curious about the feeling of surpassing limits, I might never have broken the city’s swimming record.”

For me, intellectual curiosity isn’t just about curiosity, observation, and learning about the world around us, but also about the curiosity we have for ourselves. That’s when I realized: “Turns out I can do it”

Don’t limit your intellectual curiosity and exploration to just books; direct it inward as well.

Throughout all the journeys I’ve taken, am taking, and will take, I will always question myself to surpass my existing limits.

Hong Linh

Since childhood, I’ve loved exploring everything around me, asking questions, and discovering. When I entered high school, I proactively participated in many extracurricular activities to decode these “curiosities”.

My intellectual curiosity drove me to boldly venture into fields outside my comfort zone in writing. Wanting to create a beautiful photograph, I learned how to use a camera. Curious about the process of organizing a concert, I managed and organized one with my friends.

For me, “intellectual curiosity” shouldn’t stop at just exploring but must be accompanied by action and boldly seeking answers for oneself. It was these ventures that gave me more experiences to find what suits me.

To the Class of 2029 candidates building their applications, ask the right questions about what you’ve done to reflect on your qualities. From there, you can tell your story to the Admissions Committee in the most sincere and relatable way.

I believe intellectual curiosity is one of the qualities Fulbright is looking for. Be curious, learn, and be confident in your own way!

Quoc Toi

“Many people are often surprised that I have a passion for art but studied in a specialized Biology class in high school? It may seem contradictory, but this decision came from my intellectual curiosity about the connection between science and art.”

As someone who loves multiple fields, I’ve participated in many activities to explore myself. Because of this, I included diverse activities, awards, and experiences in my application: Health sciences, natural sciences, social sciences, architecture, short films, poetry writing, publication design, teaching.

Many people often say that an application should be “consistent”. But sometimes that limits the intellectual curiosity within each of us.

For me, “consistency” doesn’t lie in the uniformity of activities but in fully expressing oneself. I wanted to bring to Fulbright a spirit of unlimited exploration, a heart that’s always curious, and an unending thirst for knowledge.

To the Class of 2029 applicants, be confident in what you have! For each achievement and activity, show the Admissions team how you’ve grown. Focus on extracting your own “golden essence” in each essay. Whether it’s 150, 250, or 500 words, they all have their power. If you face difficulties, feel free to contact me or other friends at Fulbright for more sharing and support!

Thuy Kha

I think the keyword “intellectual curiosity” inadvertently permeated my application. Among all sections, sharing about extracurricular activities best demonstrated my thirst for exploration.
From the desire to spread positive values to the community, I researched and signed up for non-profit projects on my own. Along that journey, my intellectual curiosity helped me gain many new insights.

From knowing nothing about social projects, I learned how to operate them, how to listen to others, how to write a good post… I’m grateful for and cherish all the projects I’ve done because without them, I wouldn’t be who I am today.

I poured all my emotions, lessons, and experiences into my application through meticulous and vivid presentation slides. I believe the Admissions team saw my spirit of progress and aspiration for dedication.

Not following any template, Fulbright’s application is where you can confidently and comfortably express yourself without worrying about anything. Especially in a multicultural environment like Fulbright, intellectual curiosity is indispensable.

A progressive spirit and intellectual curiosity are qualities that aren’t hard to recognize. Reflect on and look back at what you’ve been through, and you’ll be able to tell your story in the most natural and sincere way!