Nguyễn Quốc Tuấn is a passionate advocate for mental health, with significant contributions to the field. Drawing on a wealth of experience from competitions and projects in related areas, Tuấn successfully impressed Minerva University’s discerning admissions committee, earning an 80% scholarship to the world-renowned institution known for its innovation. His journey has not been without its challenges, including a two-year gap period. This September, Tuấn will embark on his studies in the U.S., one of six countries he will experience during his four-year program. Let’s explore the path that led Tuấn to chase his dreams with MiYork!

Was “Gap Year” the Right Decision?

“Gap year stemmed from my uncertainty about long-term personal goals and my desire to find an education system that would help me better discover myself,” Tuấn shared.

However, his gap years were fraught with challenges and crises. Yet, these difficulties taught Tuấn invaluable lessons and introduced him to extraordinary, supportive individuals. “I’m immensely grateful to the friends who journeyed with me during my gap years. Even knowing what I know now, I wouldn’t hesitate to gap again.”

When asked for advice for others considering a gap year, Tuấn emphasized: “During your gap year, try to find a strong emotional anchor. You’ll encounter uncertainty and instability that might leave you at a loss.” Despite these struggles, Tuấn credits his teammates at Multiverse of Health (MoH), a mental health support platform for youth, as his anchor. They encouraged him to collaborate with mentors to create a meaningful product for those dealing with mental health issues.

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Crafting a Compelling Application to Minerva University

Minerva University, with one of the lowest acceptance rates in the U.S., presented Tuấn with a significant challenge, particularly in Section 3 of its application. This section evaluates candidates’ achievements, which can come from extracurricular activities, personal life, or school involvement.

At that time, Tuấn lacked confidence in presenting his accomplishments in the application. As a result, he only included projects that had tangible outcomes. Gathering supporting documents for these achievements, such as photos, published articles, event plans, and videos, required considerable time and effort.

“If I could go back, I’d encourage myself to be more confident and include all six achievements in my application, no matter how big or small. Each of them is worth celebrating and could have better showcased my potential to the admissions committee.”

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“I Have a Special Interest in Youth Mental Health.”

Throughout his Minerva application process, Tuấn sought to highlight two defining qualities: his deep care for the mental well-being of others and his emphasis on maintaining his own mental health.

Tuấn continues to be active in the mental health space. He is still working at MoH, further developing the website and app to assist individuals with mild to moderate mental disorders. Looking ahead, Tuấn plans to research AI applications in mental health to provide accurate mental disorder diagnoses and support for patients in their recovery journey.

Tuấn’s journey is a testament to perseverance, passion, and the power of mental health advocacy. His story inspires others to pursue their dreams while caring for themselves and those around them.

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