Tran

“The dynamic and challenging environment at Highline has provided me with strong academic training, which prepared me greatly for the many challenges ahead at MIT.”

Tran on the Honors Program

I am so grateful to Highline Community College; Highline has helped me to adapt and excel in a working/educational environment. The dynamic and challenging environment at Highline has provided me with strong academic training, which prepared me greatly for the many challenges ahead at MIT. Highline Community College is an invaluable educational resource, as professors nurture and challenge each and every student’s success.

I came to America with my family in 2009, as an immigrant, with hopes to get a better education. My life in Vietnam was nothing to brag about. Once in America, I fell in love with high school and the field of engineering because it was challenging. I chose Highline Community College because of the Honors program and dreamed of attending the University of Washington. I thought the University of Washington was my best option because it had the best engineering program in Washington State.

After I joined the Honors Program, Dr. Barbara Clinton encouraged me to think bigger than UW. She helped me prepare for my application essays, my recommendations, and my financial aid. Barbara and her TA were very enthusiastic and passionate with educating me on how to make my application shine. I ended up writing 16 essays in total! The Honors program also taught me to make connections with my instructors, and two became good friends whose advice have been invaluable.

After applying to Seattle University, University of Washington, University of Michigan, Stanford, Harvey Mudd and MIT, I decided on MIT. I want to study EECS; MIT seemed to be the best fit for me with its challenging program. By the time I graduate from MIT, my practical skills will have improved significantly, and I hope one day to work for NASA and work towards putting people on another planet.