Congratulations to Upper Sixth students Joe Stead, Zilin Wu, Rebecca Rylands, Gursharan Singh and David Cuesta-Moreta who all received offers to study at Oxbridge this September!
We are so proud of our Oxbridge offer holders! It is an amazing achievement to receive an offer from Oxford and Cambridge Universities. The application process is extremely challenging, requiring lots of dedication and preparation. Joe, Zilin, Rebecca, Gursharan and David were fully supported throughout the process through the fantastic High Achievers+ Programme we offer at Carmel. Delivered by our specialist High Achievers+ Co-ordinators, the Programme provides activities, events and support throughout the year.
We caught up with our students to congratulate them. Here’s what they said about receiving their offers:
Joe Stead (St Gregory’s High School)
Law at Gonville and Caius College, University of Cambridge
Joe is currently studying A Level History, Law and Politics. He was absolutely delighted when he received his offer for Cambridge and commented: “Receiving my offer has given me immeasurable motivation to achieve the grades I need and to eventually become a public law barrister! The Carmel HA+ Programme was essential in helping me obtain my offer. Not only did several Oxbridge tutors deliver presentations assisting students with the process, but there was a plethora of in-house support too. Tailored interview and personal statement support helped me develop the skills needed for the application process. I received support from the Law HA+ Co-ordinator, Dan Saunders; the Law Tutors, and former Carmel students, now at Oxbridge. Without Carmel and the HA+ Programme, I am certain I would not have received my offer.”
Zilin Wu (Cardinal Newman Catholic High School)
Law at Christ’s College, University of Cambridge
Zilin currently studies A Level History, English Literature and Psychology. He was incredibly grateful for the support he received at Carmel. Zilin said: “From personal statement feedback to workshops and mock interviews, I was supported with every step of my application through the HA+ Programme. This was invaluable and made the process overall less daunting. When I received the offer, I felt a mixture of complete disbelief and excitement, and I still feel a similar way now.”
Rebecca Rylands (Archbishop Blanch)
History at Jesus College, University of Cambridge
Rebecca studies A Levels in History, English Literature and French. Rebecca felt really supported throughout the whole university application process. Rebecca commented: “The HA+ Programme provided me with vital information. I found the guidance and advice from our interview preparation day to be invaluable in addition to the multiple talks we received from prestigious universities to further aid my application. I was both shocked and excited to have received an offer from The University of Cambridge. The support and help from the HA+ Programme and my subject teachers made my aspiration to receive a Cambridge offer a reality.”
Gursharan Singh (St Julie’s Catholic High School)
Classics at Newnam College, University of Cambridge
Gursharan is studying A Level Philosophy Ethics & Religion, English Literature and Politics. She is so thankful for the support she received from her subject teachers. Gursharan commented: “Carmel’s Head of Humanities, Eoin McWilliams, offered me incredible amount of support from reading over my personal statement to doing mock interviews with me. Eoin also arranged a mock interview with a Classics teacher, in order for me to be as prepared as possible for the specific questions I would be asked. I am so thankful to teachers like Eoin as well as my subject teachers, Tim Holden and Rebecca Blakey, who helped cultivate the skills that Cambridge appreciated in me.”
David Cuesta-Moreta (Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School)
Chemistry at Lady Margaret Hall, University of Oxford
David studies A Level Chemistry, Maths and Physics. He is really excited about the prospect of studying at Oxford. David said: “My subject teachers were really helpful in reading over my personal statement and helping me improve it. I’m feeling really grateful that I got an offer from Oxford and I’m really excited for what the future holds.”
Our Head of High Achievers+, Dan Saunders is delighted. He said: “I am immensely proud of the achievement of these students progressing to Oxbridge. Since Lower Sixth, their hard work investigating their pathways and subsequent personal statement writing and interview preparation has all paid off. To receive an offer from Oxbridge is a great accolade. Well done to each student and thanks to the HA+ Co-ordinators who have worked extremely hard with each student to ensure they were successful.”
As well as helping students with aspirations to study at Oxbridge, our High Achievers+ Programme offers a full range of bespoke progression pathways including Russell Group; Sutton 30; Medicine, Dentistry and Vet Science; Talent in areas such as Art, Design, Performance and PE; and Vocational career access including high calibre apprenticeship opportunities. Find out more on our High Achievers+ Programme webpage.
Pictured:
Back Row L to R – David Cuesta-Moreta, Rebecca Rylands, Joe Stead
Front Row L to R – Gursharan Singh, Zilin Wu