Mai Khanh (Class of 2026) – Receives USD 306,000 in scholarships and 8 offers from leading art and design universities worldwide

With over USD 306,000 in scholarships and eight university offers from leading art and design institutions in the United States – including Parsons The New School (Top 3) and Pratt Institute (Top 5) in Art and Design according to the QS Rankings – Mai Khanh, our BVIS Class of 2026 student, has achieved remarkable success in this year’s university admissions cycle. 

Behind these impressive figures, however, lies a journey that began with something very simple. 

In 2019, when she joined BVIS, Khanh found herself drawn to children’s picture books in the school library. What started as a quiet interest gradually grew into a passion, and eventually became  her clear and committed decision: to pursue Illustration. 

Rather than building a broad portfolio across multiple fields, Mai Khanh remained committed to pursuing Illustration and focused on developing depth in her artistic abilities. Her profile stands out through a cohesive range of activities and experiences that clearly reflect her passion, from her academic direction to her university applications, all of which are centred on leading institutions in Art and Design. 

Offers from leading art universities in the United States 

This focused approach resulted in eight offers from prestigious universities, including: 

• Parsons The New School – Illustration (USD 13,000 scholarship per year) – Ranked #3 
• Pratt Institute – Illustration (USD 44,000 scholarship for the first two years) – Ranked #5 
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) – Studio Art (USD 17,000 scholarship per year) – Ranked #11 
• School of Visual Arts (SVA) – Illustration – Ranked #18 
• Otis College of Art and Design – Illustration (USD 28,000 scholarship per year) – Ranked #101–150 
• Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) – Illustration (USD 7,500 scholarship per year) 
• University of California, Santa Cruz – Art & Design: Games and Playable Media 
• University of California, Davis – Fine Arts 
  

A passion for art as a steady anchor in her academic journey 

At BVIS, Khanh pursued A Level subjects in Art, Biology, and Business – a combination that may seem unconventional for an art-focused pathway, but reflects her ability to balance creativity with practical thinking. 

While A Levels require significant depth of study and independent learning, Khanh found that studying subjects she genuinely enjoys made the journey more manageable: 

“I felt more comfortable studying and taking exams because I was learning what I’m truly passionate about.” 

Throughout both IGCSE and A Level Art, her learning extended beyond technical skills. It became a process of discovering how she wants to express ideas and tell stories through her work – a crucial foundation in building a strong art portfolio. 

Taking art beyond the classroom 

If academic study provided the foundation, Khanh’s extracurricular activities and personal projects brought her artistic practice into real-world contexts. 

At BVIS: 

• Winner of the Environment Committee T-shirt Design Competition 
• Three years as backstage crew and prop designer for school productions 
• Student Mentor for Saigon House 
• BVIS Global Campus Ambassador 

Beyond BVIS: 

• Founder of “Verse and Voyage” – an illustration-based project raising awareness about marine life for children 
• Co-founder of “The Hope Project” – supporting street food vendors through visual redesign 

Across these experiences, illustration is not only a creative outlet, but also a tool for communication – connecting with communities, stories, and real-world issues. 

BVIS – a place to explore and shape one’s identity 

Reflecting on her journey, Khanh shared: 

“BVIS not only helps me learn academically but also gives me opportunities to understand myself better. Being able to experiment with different materials and approaches helped me find my own artistic style.” 

This open and supportive environment, together with guidance from teachers and school support systems, enabled Khanh to develop both her skills and a clearer sense of direction. 

A consistent journey that creates meaningful impact 

Looking back, Khanh’s achievements were not the result of a single defining moment, but of many small, consistent choices over time. Each step aligned with her passion for art, supported and guided by the learning environment at BVIS. 

Her story is therefore not only about achievements, but about the value of a well-nurtured journey where students understand what they want and are supported to pursue it with confidence and persistence. 

Contact the Admissions Department to learn more about the British International A Level programme and how it aligns with your child’s future pathway via email at admissions@bvisvietnam.com or by phone at (84) 028 758 8033.