University admissions regulations are undergoing significant changes: bonus priority points are being sharply reduced in inverse proportion to scores, IELTS is no longer accepted as an independent admission method, and the actual admission thresholds at top universities are higher than ever. In this highly competitive landscape, parents and students need to develop early and well-structured academic strategies. This was one of the key topics discussed at the seminar “From The Dewey Schools to Top Universities in Vietnam” held at Dewey Cau Giay last weekend.
M.A. Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, an expert with over 20 years of experience in university admissions, provided practical insights into the reality of admissions at top universities. She emphasized that preparation for university must be a long-term, strategic process. “We should set high goals to maintain a safe margin. For example, at the Foreign Trade University, Mathematics is a compulsory subject and the top priority criterion in admissions. If candidates have equal scores, we select the one with the higher Math score.” She also advised students to identify their strengths from Grade 10—or even earlier—and avoid pursuing too many certificates at once, which can lead to wasted time and unnecessary pressure.
Duong Tuong Anh, a Grade 9 student planning to study in China, is also looking for a high school environment that can help her discover her strengths and build a suitable pathway. “I’m interested in Dewey because the curriculum allows students to work on projects instead of focusing solely on exams. Regular teamwork will help me develop leadership skills and build connections—things I believe will greatly support my study abroad goals.”
At the seminar, Tuong Anh and many other students had the opportunity to explore career orientation and academic pathways at Dewey Cau Giay. In addition to meeting the requirements of the Ministry of Education and Training, Dewey increases Math instruction to up to 9 periods per week, focusing on critical thinking, problem-solving, and offering free exam preparation. For English, beyond 12 periods of ESL and ELA per week with native teachers, students also have 2 IELTS periods weekly to strengthen their language foundation.
With over 20 clubs and numerous student-led projects, Dewey provides the “key” to building distinctive and personalized student profiles. These activities also help students develop leadership, problem-solving, and other essential skills that top universities are increasingly seeking.
As Ms. Ha shared, choosing the right pathway is more important than chasing unsuitable goals. With guidance from experts and a learning environment that emphasizes personalized experiences like Dewey Cau Giay, the journey to university becomes not a stressful race for scores, but a process of shaping identity and practical capabilities—empowering students to confidently step into the world.
