Last summer, a conversation with senior students who were already accepted to Oxford and Cambridge sparked the ambition of two students, Luo Jieping and Huang Junqi, of the Class of 2025 from the Department of Statistics and Data Science at BNBU.
Today, both have made a stride from dream to reality.
Luo Jieping (left) and Huang Junqi (right)
Luo received offers from Oxford for Statistics Science and Cambridge for Public Health Sciences, and Huang was accepted into Cambridge for the same programme. These offers are the culmination of years of hard work, personal growth, and the invaluable support of mentors and peers.
Huang and Luo share a deep commitment to excellence. While Huang attributes his success to focusing intently during every lecture and actively seeking help from professors, Luo values reflection and continuous improvement, always reviewing her work to identify areas for growth and applying what she learns in practical contexts.
For Huang, receiving the acceptance email from Cambridge late at night didn't trigger the excitement one might expect. Instead, he went back to sleep, focusing on an upcoming internship in artificial intelligence, which could give him more practical insights into the industry and update him with the latest trends.
Meanwhile, Luo, who received offers from top universities like Oxford, Yale, and Berkeley, continued her research under the guidance of Dr Wu Jingjin, maintaining a disciplined approach to her academic work. Switching majors from finance to statistics highlights the importance of exploring different academic pathways. Her transition illustrates that discovering one's true passion often involves experimenting and adapting along the way.
Luo Jieping with Dr Wu Jingjin
Teachers at BNBU are always the lighthouse for the two. Luo said they are always patient to offer her constructive ideas, whether in study or in life, and Huang said the diverse teaching methods have benefited him with different inspiring ideas.
Luo Jieping with Dr Zhang Bohai (left) and Prof Deng Yuhui (right)
Besides remarkable diligence and exploration, both of their journeys have been supported by a strong sense of community within their department. In BNBU's Statistics programme, senior students frequently support their juniors, fostering a collaborative culture.
After talking with senior students Huang Qi and Xu Yangfan, who had already received offers from prestigious universities, including Oxford and Cambridge, Luo and Huang were encouraged to aim high without fearing failure when applying for their further studies.
Huang Junqi (first from right) and Huang Qi (middle)
Looking back on their experiences, both students encourage their juniors to embrace challenges, stay committed, and pursue their interests with determination. Their achievements, including scholarships and outstanding academic records, are a testament to the power of perseverance, guidance, and a passion for continuous improvement.
As they move forward to embark on their next chapters, they hope to inspire the next generation of students to take bold steps toward their dreams, much like they did.
From MPRO
Reporter: Uki Zhou
Photos provided by the interviewees
Editor: Cecilia Yu
