In 2021, Vietnam continues to rank 6th in the world in the number of international students studying in the US. With 22,777 students in it:
- 69.8% attend university
- 15.3% go to graduate school
- 11.4% participate in optional internship program
- And the remaining 3.5% attend non-degree programs
It can be seen that the attraction of studying in the US has never cooled down with Vietnamese students. Currently, the number of American students from high school has also increased significantly.
However, with an expensive living standard in the US, to be able to attend a good high school in the US will cost about 50,000 USD for study and accommodation. This is quite a large expense for most Vietnamese families.
1, Types of the US high school scholarships
Types of the US high school scholarships
To apply for a scholarship to study abroad at the US private high school, what do you have to prepare first? There are two paths below:
Apply for a full scholarship to study abroad at the top 10 most famous private high schools in the US
These schools have had connections with famous schools in Vietnam, so you must be a member of these schools! Their admission criteria will be shared later in this article.
Apply for a scholarship with a high rate of financial aid in second tier selective schools
Just like the 10 famous schools above, the standards are equally fierce. But you can contact the school yourself, make your own admission documents with the school, even 10 famous schools.
But it is difficult to get a full scholarship if you are not on the list of students of famous schools in Vietnam. So what are their selection criteria? It's hard? How to have those standards?
2, Criterias to apply for a US high school scholarship in 2022
Criterias to apply for a US high school scholarship in 2022
Toefl criteria and GPA to apply for a scholarship to study in the US high school
Currently, Vietnam has switched to the Toefl iBT exam, no longer taking the paper-based Toefl exam like before. To be able to study English at American high school:
- Your Toefl level must be >=500 on paper, equivalent to size >=61 according to Toefl iBT.
- But to have a private high school scholarship, your Toefl must be >=550 on paper. And equivalent size >= 79-80 according to Toefl iBT.
- First tier high schools often require Toefl on paper >=600, equivalent to Toefl iBT >=100.
Grade point average (GPA): The best must be >= 8.5. If >= 9.0 the better
Extracurricular activities and leadership factors make your chances of winning a scholarship to study in the US high school higher
Not required but if you participate in extracurricular activities will be a bright spot in your application. Extracurricular activities you can participate in are:
- English club organized by youth culture house
- Join the green summer campaign, volunteer activities to help disabled children and orphans
- Teaching English to students at Nguyen Dinh Chieu School for the Blind,
- School soccer team captain
- Membership in a district culture house or a swimming pool
- School art team… then those are the bright spots on your admissions resume
Being class president, class vice-president, secretary of the school union, class, class, subject staff, etc. is a leadership factor. It shows that you are dynamic, easy to get along with and have an organized mind. As well as a reputable member, he was selected for the above positions.
Don't be shy, miss the opportunity if your teacher, homeroom teacher and friends choose you for this position. In America, no student refuses but is proud to be selected. Even by all means take the lead. It is a confident, dynamic and honest personality.
Criteria for the entrance exam for admission to high schools in the US
SSAT (Secondary Standard admission test)
This test is administered by independent private high schools to enroll students in their high schools. It's like a junior high school graduation exam in Vietnam.
The most difficult is still English, but not too difficult. Mainly, you have to know the terms Math, natural science, general knowledge… In fact, the exam questions are not difficult compared to the curriculum in grade 8 in Vietnam.
This contest is held worldwide. You can consult and register at the website: http://www.ssat.org/
This contest has 2 types of levels:
- Low level: for students in grades 5 to 7 in the US. For students to study abroad early starting from the end of middle school in the US and the beginning of high school in the US.
Advanced level: for students in grades 8 through 11 in the US. For those of you who want to study in the US high school right from 10th grade to 11th grade in the US. Then you can prepare it from 10th grade, 6 months before the exam you can get it easily, of course your English must be good.
The exam content consists of two main parts: Essay and Multiple choice test (MCT). In the MCT section including Math, comprehension Reading and Verbal Section
- Essay of SSAT: Much easier than Toefl and SAT, the same time as the SAT is 25 minutes. But the SSAT essay only answers a question with a short essay on some topic. Such as: personal experience, personal history, your family, a passage about a common event in life, event, deepest memory...
- Mathematics Section: There are 30 minutes for you to quickly answer 25 questions. Primarily first-order algebra if low-level, quadratic if high-level.
- Verbal Section: You have 30 minutes to answer 30 synonym questions and 30 Analogy questions.
- Reading Comprehension Section: You have 40 minutes to read and understand quickly for 7 short passages, to answer the questions posed afterwards.
HSPT level test: High school Placement Test:
Also an exam like the SSAT mentioned above. But it is applied by private high schools belonging to religious associations to recruit more students.
The only difference is that the exam questions are given by each school. As for the SSAT, there is a common test of the association of schools that is released and tested throughout the US and around the world such as the Toefl test.
You can refer to this exam on the following website: http://www.ivywest.com/hsptinfo.htm
ISEE level test: Independent School Entrance Examination:
It is also an entrance exam to an American private high school. Also organized by independent and private schools. The competition lasted 3 hours, no different from the SSAT.
You can refer to it in the following website: http://www.ivywest.com/iseeinfo.htm
Some schools in the difficult admission category (first tier) will require you to take more difficult exams such as PSAT, SAT, ACT and high Toefl scores.
Preliminary Standard Admission Test or National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT).
To get a scholarship to study in an American high school, you should take this test. While SSAT is an admission test, this test is a test for getting a private high school scholarship in the US.
This is an American national standard competition with multiple-choice questions. Organized annually by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
It is seen as a preparation competition for the US national standards competitions. To be eligible, you need to be admitted by American universities to the SAT (Standard Admission Test).
Annually, about 1.3 million 10th and 11th grade students in the US participate in this competition. Sometimes there are still 8th or 9th graders participating. These students are, of course, outstanding. Want to hunt for scholarships in the top high schools in the US?
What about students in grades 8 and 9 in Vietnam? Can you afford to take it with a high score? And how is it?
It is not difficult if you have an English ability of about 500 Toefl on paper. It includes 3 sections of Mathematics, Critical Reading, and Writing just like the SAT. But what's interesting is that it's easier than the SAT to get into college.
This contest lasts for 2 hours and 10 minutes. Each section of the test is scored on a scale from 20 to 80. Thus, the highest score of the PSAT is 240 points. Whereas the SAT scale is from 200 to 800 and the maximum score of the SAT is 2400 points.
The math section of the PSAT is not as demanding as the SAT. For example, there is no Algebra II, and the Writing section has only 1 essay.
How many PSAT scores do international students need to enter the semi-finals to be considered for an American high school scholarship?
This depends on the state, depending on the region. For example, in 2007 it was 204 points in Mississippi, while in Massachusetts it was 224 points. But that is not enough, but for international students, they must have Toefl scores, GPA (Grade Point Average) and extra-curricular activities!
At this point, it is clear that to hunt for a scholarship to study in a private high school in the US is not only your own effort. But what about your family's long-term investment?
There is no easy reward that comes to you. But be confident that what others can do, you can do
Criteria for letters of recommendation for the US high schools cholarships
For Americans, the recommendation of your teacher is very important. They don't need the red seal like in their country.
They only need the content of the letter and the signature of the teacher who has been teaching you. Nominate you as an excellent student of the school is reputable enough for you to apply for a scholarship to study in the US high school.
They are used to living and working on concrete things. So they don't just judge you by dry, inexperienced numbers through your academic records, SSAT test scores, or Toefl.
What they need is who you are, too, specifically. It is not allowed to be as general as the criticisms in the annual report cards of Vietnamese teachers. It is often seen as: Good, good, gentle, good moral ...
The cover letter is an absolute secret for you. And it is also almost 50% weight for you to enter or get a scholarship to study in the US. At any level of education in the American education system from elementary school, to high school, to college and graduate school.
3, Find the right school and scholarship to study in the US high school
Find the right school and scholarship to study in the US high school
After you have completed the above criteria, you will start to visit the website of your chosen school. Go to the Admission section, see if there is an Iternational student section there and find Financial aid and Scholarship.
Read this information carefully to find student recruitment strategies that are available for financial aid and scholarships. There are two things that you need to do on the school's website:
By all means you must do research on the school's website the terms:
- Admission policies and requirements
- financial aid for international students
- scholarship for international students
- deadline of admission
- application form for financial aid, …
A sincere advice is that you do a lot of research. Then you will have valuable experiences when you have received a scholarship to study in the US high school
You will find the days spent on the net to research school websites will be well rewarded. Because the American way of learning is self-study and self-finding materials to serve learning, not just a teacher holding hands.
Another way to find scholarships to study in the US high school
Another way to hunt for scholarships for high schools is when these schools return to Vietnam to enroll students. This way is the way many international students choose when being recruited in Vietnam.
It's the same before the summer of every year, from November to March next year. Good schools in the US also return to Vietnam to enroll students.
Remember to read newspapers regularly, go to the internet to find information about scholarships to study in the US high school. At this time, you will participate in a contest called SLEP and an interview with the Director of Admission of the admission school.
If you want to know about SLEP, please go to the following link for reference: http://www.ets.org
4, Admission application for the US high school scholarships
Admission application for the US high school scholarships
An application for admission to an American high school in addition to the letter you write to ask for information. You should go to the school's website in the Admission section to print out all the forms and fill out.
If you have been sent by the school, you should make several copies of it to draft before filling it in officially. And submit it to the school by mail. The profile includes the following:
Application form and supplemental form
Because often the application form is not full. So that you can show all your good things to Adcom (Admission Committee) to know.
So you need to summarize and supplement your academic record when you feel the need to supplement. Pay special attention to your strengths, don't hesitate and be honest.
Request transcripts and study documents to apply for a scholarship to study in the US high school
Depending on the requirements of the school, you go to translate and notarize the transcript. Maybe the last 2 to 3 years of your school in Vietnam.
If you go to 9th grade in the US, submit the transcripts of the previous years of secondary school. It is best to translate the transcripts if you are in 10th grade, then also translate the secondary school transcripts in Vietnam.
If your school has a translation service, just the translation school and stamp with the principal's signature is enough without the need for state notarization.
Submit all certificates of merit, certificates of merit, awards from school to district, city, state, international. If there is anything, it will be translated and notarized photocopies.
Nothing should be missed, including the painting contests or the music and singing competitions of the youth. As well as the certificates of merit that your parents' agency gave them to be a good student.
Recommendation letter when applying for a scholarship to study in the US high school
Usually 2-4 letters of recommendation from the teachers you are attending. Some schools have a sample letter of recommendation available. You just need to download and print it and send it to your teacher to fill out and sign.
But often these templates don't tell you all about you in detail. You should ask your teacher to write one more letter of criticism about you and have it signed by the principal and notarized. Seal it with your school's envelope, because you shouldn't be able to see it in principle.
Điền vào đơn School and Student Service for financial aid
Bạn có thể lấy form từ trang web của trường, form này gọi là form SSS. Nó dùng cho trung học khác với International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA) của đại học.
Nhớ đọc kỹ và điền thật chính xác và cẩn thận vì những câu hỏi rất logic với nhau. Nếu bạn đã dối thì phải dối cho cặn kẽ, nếu không khéo thì thế nào cũng bị lòi ra cái nói dối.
Proof of funds to apply for a scholarship to study in a US high school
To have financial aid, you must prove that your family finances are not enough for you to study at the school you apply for. This happens when you have to be brilliant. The school must see that you will be the one to bring something back to the school when you are a member of them.
- Salary certificate: through proof of finance you must have this.
Tax papers.
Passbook certification.
Health Certification.
Other documents: As a minor, some of the contracts with the school that the sponsor must sign are:- Contract to pay fees
Commitment contract for homestay
The contract allows you to use the motorbike
Learn to drive
And insurance policies of all kinds…
- Contract to pay fees
5, Latest American Private High School Scholarship Information 2022
School's name | Location (State) | total cost | % Scholarship | Post-Scholarship Fees |
St. Mary’s School (SMS) | Medford, Oregon | $57,000 | -$20,750 | $36,250 |
MAHARISH – Maharishi School | Fairfield, Iowa | $44,000 | -$10,000 | $34,000 |
LAKERIDGE – Lake Ridge Academy | North Ridgeville, Ohio | $54,260 | -$18,000 | $36,260 |
STBERNARDSCA – St. Bernard’s Academy | Eureka, CA | $45,851 | -$20,851 | $25,000 |
The Woodstock Academy | Connecticut | $52,500 | -$31,500 | $21,000 |
Foxcroft Academy | Maine | $51,750 | $25,750 | $26,000 |
John Bapst Memorial High School | Maine | $45,750 | $17,750 | $28,000 |
Lee Academy | Maine | $40,500 | $20,500 | $20,000 |
Lincoln Academy | Maine | $49,900 | $24,900 | $25,000 |
Maine Central Institute | Maine | $42,750 | $21,400 | $21,350 |
Washington Academy | Maine | $40,500 | $20,500 | $20,000 |
Totino-Grace High School | Minnesota | $35,430 | $10,430 | $25,000 |
Missouri Military Academy | Missouri | $38,000 | $13,000 | $25,000 |
The Knox School | New York | $60,000 | $35,000 | $25,000 |
Canyonville Academy | Oregon | $48,900 | $20,900 | $28,000 |
Ben Lippen School | South Carolina | $40,000 | $18,000 | $22,000 |
Burr and Burton Academy | Vermont | $50,250 | $26.000 | $24,250 |
North Cedar Academy | Wisconsin | $52,300 | $32,300 | $20,000 |
Wisconsin Lutheran High School | Wisconsin | $22,750 | $10,750 | $12,000 |
Menaul School | New Mexico | $40,500 | $20,500 | $20,000 |
Cotter School | Minnesota | $43,500 | $17,400 | $26,100 |
Garrison Forest | Maryland | $66,810 | $26,810 | $40,000 |
St. Johnsbury Academy | Vermont | $64,325 | $28,925 | $35,400 |
Miss Hall’s School | Massachusetts | $66,150 | $29,770 | $36,380 |
Marianapolis Prep School | Connecticut | $69,107 | $34,107 | $35,000 |
Chaminade College Prep School | Missouri | $44,448 | $6,948 | $37,500 |
Maumee Valley Country Day School | Ohio | $44,650 | $8,930 | $35,720 |
Buffalo Seminary | New York | $55,450 | $27,000 | $28,450 |
Raboon Gap-Nachoochee School | George | $62,000 | $31,000 | $31,000 |
Oaks Christian School | California | $64,000 | case-by-case | |
Cheshire Academy | Connecticut | $63,600 | $23,600 | $40,000 |
Oakwood Friends School | New York | $69,555 | $32,555 | $37,000 |
La Lumiere School | Indiana | $61,335 | Need-based financial assistance | |
Vermont Academy | Vermont | $64,200 | Need-based financial assistance | |
Oak Grove School | California | $63,900 | Need-based financial assistance | |
Berwick Academy | Maine | $58,800 | $28,800 | $30,000 |
Marvel Wood School | Connecticut | $62,200 | $22,200 | $40,000 |
The Macduffie | Massachusetts | $57,150 | $22,150 | $35,000 |
The Harvey School | New York | $54,950 | 50% | $27,500 |
Foutain Valley School of Colorado | Colorado | $65,000 | 50% | $32,500 |
Riverstone Int’l School | Idaho | $51,500 | $11,500 | $40,000 |
Wilbraham & Monson Academy | Massachusetts | $64,800 | Hỗ trợ tài chính dựa trên nhu cầu | |
Kents Hill School | Maine | $63,250 | 45% | $34,800 |
The Athenian School | California | $73,500 | 35% | $47,800 |
TMI Episcopal | Texas | $52,750 | 20% | $42,200 |
St. Bernards Academy | California | $45,851 | $20.851 | $25,000 |
Saint Bonaventure High School | California | $48,345 | $5,230 | $43,115 |
Maharishi School | Iowa | $44,000 | $10,000 | $34,000 |
Bishop Fenwick High School | Massachussetss | $54,250 | $7,570 | $46,680 |
St. John Paul II High School | Massachussetss |
$46,415 | $8,415 | $38,000 |
St.Mary Ryken High School | Maryland | $47,500 | $7,000 | $40,500 |
Marshall School | Minnesota | $42,980 | $15,000 | $27,980 |
Lake Ridge Academy | Ohio | $54,260 | $18,000 | $36,260 |
St Mary’s School | Oregon |
$57,000 | $20,750 | $36,250 |
Erie First Christian Academy | Pennsylvania | $39,750 | $13,350 | $26,400 |
Trinity Byrnes Collegiate School | South Carolina | $37,040 | $8,500 | $28,540 |
Bishop Garcia Diego High School | California | $56,460 | $7,600 | $48,860 |
Bradshaw Christian School | California | $47,000 | $7,000 | $40,000 |
Christian Brothers High School | California | $54,000 | $5,000 | $49,000 |
Central Valley Christian Academy | California | $39,410 | $4,280 | $35,130 |
Moreau Catholic High School | California | $65,925 | $5,000 | $60,925 |
Paraclete High School | California | $45,319 | $3,060 | $42,259 |
Ramona Convent Secondary School | California | $52,690 | $6,000 | $46,690 |
Santa Clara High School | California | $48,410 | $5,230 | $43,180 |
Belleview Christian School | Colorado | $35,000 | $3,500 | $31,500 |
Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory | Florida | $43,900 | $10,400 | $33,500 |
Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy | Florida | $48,500 | $11,500 | $37,000 |
Lake Worth Chirstian School | Florida | $41,400 | $7,900 | $33,500 |
Maharishi School | Iowa | $44,000 | $10,000 | $34,000 |
Montini Catholic High School | Illinois | $45,580 | $7,580 | $38,000 |
Oldenburg Academy | Indiana | $39,275 (G9-10) | $5,870 | $33,405 (G9-11) |
St. Mary Catholic Central High School | Michigan | $36,820 | $2,190 | $34,630 |
Archbishop Williams High School | Massachusetts | $55,761 | $7,331 | $48,430 |
Bishop Fenwick High School | Massachusetts | $53,250 | $7,570 | $45,680 |
Boston Trinity Academy | Massachusetts | $61,500 | $16,800 | $44,700 |
St. John Paul II High School | Massachusetts | $46,415 | $8,415 | $38,000 |
Sparhawk School | Massachusetts | G12: $56,700 G7-11:$56,400 |
$16,125 | Grade 12 $40,575 Grade 7-11 $40,275 |
Broadfording Christian Academy | Maryland | $34,222 | $5,958 | $28,264 |
St.Mary Ryken High School | Maryland | $46,500 | $6,000 | $40,500 |
The Gunston School | Maryland | $49,800 | $8,000 | $41,800 |
The Salisbury School | Maryland | $42,500 | $8,375 | $34,125 |
The Barstow School | Kansas City | $51,750 | $21,750 | $30,000 |
Camden Catholic High School | New Jersey | $45,550 | $8,000 | $37,550 |
Morris Catholic High School | New Jersey | $51,485 | $5,485 | $46,000 |
The Pilgrim Academy | New Jersey | $32,750 | $9,950 | $22,800 |
Ranney School | New Jersey | G7-8: $67,750 G9-10: $70,000 G11: $71,750 |
$12,000 | G7-8: $55,750 G9-10: $58,000 G11: $59,750 |
Andrew Osborne Academy | Ohio | $55,772 | $19,022 | $36,750 |
Cathedral Preparatory School | Pennsylvania | $41,900 | $7,000 | $34,900 |
Villa Maria Academy | Pennsylvania | $41,900 | $7,000 | $34,900 |
Christian School of York | Pennsylvania | $40,440 | $11,440 | $29,000 |
York Country Day School | Pennsylvania | $57,500 | $10,000 | $47,500 |
Saint RaphaelAcademy | Rhode Island | $44,355 | $7,180 | $37,175 |
Trinity Byrnes Collegiate School | South Carolina | $37,040 | $8,500 | $28,540 |
Vanguard College Preparatory School | Texas | $47,040 | $7,688 | $39,353 |
Brunswick Academy | Virginia | $32,180 | $5,000 | $27,180 |
The Congressional Schools of Virginia | Virginia | $66,320 | $8,000 | $58,320 |
Southampton Academy | Virginia | $38,000 | $14,000 | $24,000 |
Archbishop Murphy High School | Washington | $50,565 | $10,000 | $40,565 |
Bellarmine Preparatory School | Washington | $52,390 | $10,030 | $42,360 |
Above are the most basic and detailed instructions on American scholarships to help you find yourself a scholarship to support studying in the US right from high school.
You should also note that, for the normal US study program, you have to prepare about 6 months for all kinds of documents and procedures.
For the search for a scholarship to study in the US high school, you should prepare about 1 year in advance to apply for the scholarship, apply to study at the school and consider the Visa to not be late for the course.