Burning the Midnight Oil on 4 Hours of Sleep to Score 35 Points in DSE

When achieving stellar results that grant you the freedom to choose any major, how many can stay true to their passion? Three years ago, John Ma Ming-yuk scored 35 points in the DSE and was admitted to the prestigious Quantitative Finance program at the University of Hong Kong. Despite his parents' hopes for him to attend elite UK institutions like Oxford or Cambridge, John remained focused on his own path. Through sheer determination, he convinced them to let him pursue his dreams in the United States, focusing on the field of innovation and technology.

An alumnus of elite schools—graduating from La Salle Primary and Diocesan Boys' School (DBS)—John admitted that the intense competition in prestigious local schools was stressful. Success sparked jealousy, while setbacks invited ridicule or social exclusion. By Grade 10 (Secondary 4), he already felt the urge to study abroad.

Sleeping 4 Hours a Day to Study

Drawn to the flexibility of the US education system, John set his sights on American universities. This initially met resistance from his parents, both graduates of prestigious UK universities, who associated design with "starving artists." To prove his resolve, John pushed himself to the limit. Beyond fencing and extracurriculars, he balanced full-subject tutoring, SAT preparation, and Advanced Placement (AP) courses. During Grade 11 (Secondary 5), he survived on just four hours of sleep, a lifestyle that caused severe eye floaters due to chronic exhaustion—a condition that only healed after the DSE.

The Flexibility of the US System

Seeing his dedication, his parents finally gave their blessing. With 35 points in the DSE and a 1,530 on the SAT (out of 1,600), John turned down HKU to enroll at UCLA, majoring in Cognitive Science—a 4-year program covering Computer Science and User Experience (UX).

"In Hong Kong, it’s all about competition. In the US, students are more easy-going; we support and appreciate each other," John shared. Having self-studied 12 AP courses in high school, he already has enough credits to graduate early but has chosen to complete two minors before finishing his degree.

Aiming for Silicon Valley

John is determined to build a career in the US tech sector. He has already completed several internships using a CPT visa. The competition is fierce; at major firms like Snapchat or Uber, only 3 to 4 candidates are selected from 700 applicants.

Last year, John sent over 100 applications before securing a VR/AR startup internship. This year, he stood out among 400 applicants to become the sole AR Design Intern at Snapchat, earning a monthly salary of over $8,000 USD (approx. $60,000 HKD) plus a $2,500 USD housing allowance. While the pressure to perform is high, John views these challenges as essential steps toward his goal: working for a tech giant in Silicon Valley.

Reporter: Linaina

Original Article: TOPick - Economic Times https://topick.hket.com/article/2577420?r=cpsdlc