Aspirenewslettermay14

Aspire Programme

N e w s l e t t e r Charlotte Cozens

Issue 1, June 2014

Trip to Cambridge a real inspiration Students have recently been attending special events, trips and open days as part of their preparations for applying to university. Worthing College student Charlotte Cozens describes her experience of one of these trips.

“In the Easter Holiday’s I spent a day at a Philosophy and Theology Masterclass at Pembroke College, Cambridge. We spent the day in sessions for the different subjects, as well as a talk about admissions to Cambridge and Oxford.

I met lots of friendly, like-minded people there, and the Cambridge students were especially very friendly.

We had lunch in a really traditional dinning hall, and then had a look round the college grounds - beautiful!

I now am more certain that I’d like to take Philosophy at University, alongside Maths. Whether I decide to apply to Oxbridge or not, I think the taster days are a great experience, and I’d recommend them to anyone who’s considering applying next year.”

Visiting speakers provide food for thought Professor Alison Bruce from the University of Brighton Nuclear Research Group (seen here with Curriculum Team Manager Science, Julia Hoare) visited in March to talk to 18 Physics students about her current research.

Behavioural Psychologist Suzy Sharpe was invited in by Curriculum Team Manager Chris Millen to speak to A2 and AS Psychology students about her work as a Senior Human Factors Consultant.

Preparing for the future - Adel Msolly

Adel Msolly

I will be attending the University of Sussex open day in June, organised through college. I am also planning to go on an open day to Oxford in September and I may visit Surrey as well at around the same time. This will help me to gain invaluable insight into university life and get a taste of what the universities are like before applying to spend 3+ years there.

I have also attended two Higher Education fairs, one specifically for international students in London.

This helped me shape my university choices as it is usually difficult to get the information specific to foreign students in regards to studying at UK universities, e.g. English language requirements or the foreign qualifications universities also accept.

In addition to this I have attended the Oxbridge conference at Epsom Downs. This helped me understand the specific things that distinguish these top universities from the rest, along with advice on how to make a competitive application.

Recently, I joined a college organised trip to the University of Sussex for a law related lecture on the age of criminal responsibility. It was very interesting, and allowed me to experience the sort of lecture that I would attend if I studied Law at university. I have visited law courts several times, both in Slovakia and England. This was particularly exciting as I was able to witness much of the theory from A-level Law come to life, along with seeing the work of Magistrates, judges and solicitors in action. These court visits also gave me a more international perspective which is

Opportunity knocks at University of Cambridge James Shelton (top right) has been offered a place on a five day mathematics summer school at the University of Cambridge. During the five days he will take part in a range of academic sessions such as lectures, discussion groups and other maths related activities.

He will also have the opportunity to explore Cambridge, the societies currently offered at the university and, of course, to go punting along the River Cam! All of this will be vital experience to help James make the decision as to where to study after his A-Levels.

great considering that a career in international law is very appealing to me. Last but not least, in July I will complete work shadowing at a law firm in Slovakia. While this does not tend to be a university requirement, it will be helpful in deciding whether that sort of career is really for me before applying to study it at university by observing the work of lawyers and gaining first-hand experience.

Jacob Pennels (bottom left) has been accepted into a Nuffield Research Placement, which involves him joining a research team, hopefully in the fields of computer science or engineering, and completing a four week research project. He hopes this experience will be beneficial to his university application as it shows that he can research and write detailed reports about the research.

Worthing College students attend Oxbridge Conference

On a wet and windy day in March ten students from Year 12 accompanied by Ross Fuhrmann (College Director) and Gabe Crisp (Aspire coordinator) went to Epsom Downs racecourse.

They attended talks from both Cambridge and Oxford Universities as well as sessions on university finance, personal statement writing and subject specific advice from Maths to Veterinary science; from English to PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics).

Perseverence just what the doctor ordered for career in Medicine or Pharmacy

Eddie Tozer, Charlotte Barnett-Cottle and Kirsty Clarke prove that perseverance is key to gaining a place to study Medicine.

Tejesh Pattni, Charlotte Barnett-Cottle, Dimyana Shakir

Eddie was all set to go to university to study Maths last September when he had a change of heart. He withdrew and has spent the past year applying to Medicine degree courses and gaining valuable work experience to help him prepare.

Charlotte and Kirsty have both spent 3 years at college to ensure they achieve the top grades they need to guarantee a place studying to be a Doctor.

It is reassuring to know that Medical schools

view each individual separately and that they look at your personal circumstances. What a triumph that all three of these students have

been accepted against the odds despite taking an extra year to get there! We wish them all the best with their studies!

Many of the students have been inspired to try their best to get top grades to enable them to be in a position to apply next September.

Some were very clear that they preferred Oxford, others Cambridge and some decided that the pressure and style of degree course at these two prestigious institutions was not for them. However, everyone had a great day and made a good start to planning their progression to higher education.

Dimyana Shakir and Tejesh Pattni were both interested in working in a Medical field but decided to go down the Pharmacy route. Dimy moved from another sixth form to complete her A2 year at Worthing College.She has been delighted by the one-to-one support available throughout the ucas application process.

TJ has worked his socks off and is often to be found loitering outside the science office, Columbo style, to ask “Just one more thing�.

This means that he has excellent knowledge of all aspects of his science A level courses and is on track to achieve the high grades needed for these competitive courses.

Well done to all these students for their hard work and dedication to pursuing their ambitions.