Loughborough College students have taken a step closer to studying at Cambridge University – ranked amongst the world’s top four alongside U.S. universities Stanford and MIT.
Jessica Eichel has applied to study for a Masters in Engineering and Chris Morgan-Smith for a BSc in Mathematics and both were congratulated by the University on reaching their shortlist and securing an interview.
The Loughborough College Sixth Form students have been busy preparing, with assistance from Maths tutor Nicola Stevens, Programme Area Lead for Maths and ICT Ing’utu Palmer and a panel of experts.
Jessica, 17, who lives in Loughborough, is studying A-level Maths, Physics and Chemistry and AS Further Maths at the College and said she still feels a little shocked to find herself in this position: “I always got good grades but I was never top of my class or anything - and now Cambridge University wants to interview me.
“When I joined Loughborough College I found myself getting more and more driven and eager to work hard and seize all the support I was being offered there.
“The preparation we have been doing really helped boost my confidence and provided lots of useful tips on interview technique as well as the high-level questions I might face.
“The interviews happen before Christmas and then we have to wait until January to find out if we have been successful.”
Chris, also 17 and studying A-levels in Maths, Further Maths and Physics at Loughborough College, was in a lesson when he received an email from Cambridge University inviting him for interview. “I checked my phone and couldn’t believe it. I felt very proud and so excited.
“The College has been running special study groups and the interview preparation has been great at helping me get an idea of what to expect when I get in there. It’s so important to do everything you can to give yourself the best chance and I have had all the support I need.
“My Dad and I are getting the train down to Cambridge the night before and I am actually really looking forward to it.”
Loughborough College Maths tutor Nicola Stevens added: “Jessie and Chris are so excited by everything they are learning so the support we are giving them is about ensuring they are as prepared as they can be to demonstrate their knowledge and enthusiasm in their interviews.
“They have to be ready to face people in prestigious roles and not be phased by that, just take a breath and think on their feet and the panel we put together at the College enabled them to get a sense of that.”
The mock interview panel included Emeritus Professor of Chemistry at Loughborough University Harry Heaney, global software and services company Symphony EYC Product Development Director Julian Miller and both Loughborough College mathematician and tutor Michael Spence and Chief Executive Heather MacDonald – who herself graduated from Oxford University, which also appears in the world top four rankings.
Jessica and Chris, together with Loughborough College student Will Reilly – who is applying to study Medicine – also had mock interviews at Loughborough Grammar School.
“Will has been invited for an interview at Leicester University and he joined Jessica and Chris at the Grammar school,” said Loughborough College tutor Ing’Utu Palmer. “All three students found the mock interviews very helpful and the plan is to continue working with the school as part of the support we are offering our students with preparation for Oxbridge medicine, dentistry & veterinary science courses.”
Pictured: A step closer to Cambridge University, Loughborough College students Chris Morgan-Smith and Jessica Eichel with (centre) Maths tutor Nicola Stevens