passion which has won him awards at the Intel International Science and. Engineering Fair in Los Angeles for a wind turbine he built. Tito captains athletics ...
Sutton Trust US Programme Participants admitted to US universities in 2018-19
Aweys Abdullatif - Harvard College London (Harris Westminster Sixth Form) Aweys is a student at Harris Westminster Sixth Form in London and will be the first in his family to attend university. The oldest of six siblings, Aweys devotes a large chunk of his time to caring for and tutoring his siblings. His main passion lies in mathematics, studying in a class taught by an Imperial academic and competing in UKMT Olympiads. He is also a keen footballer and volunteers regularly in his local community. While he currently aspires to enter academia, he is aware that his aspirations may well change. The flexibility offered in the US college system, with the opportunity to expand his horizons and understand a wide range of different fields before committing to a single major, constitutes a large part of what is driving him to the US.
Tito Adesanya - Columbia University London (St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School) Tito is a Londoner and is passionate about improving the lives of others through STEM. Along with initiating a globally-operating start-up that teaches women and minorities to code, he started a club which aims to help disadvantaged youngsters build drones and rockets. He’s a maker, a passion which has won him awards at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles for a wind turbine he built. Tito captains athletics, plays in the first rugby and basketball teams and spends his free time doing parkour. He filled up his summer with internships and research placements at Airbus and Cambridge, and robotics courses at universities like UPenn. Tito was first drawn to US institutions because of their greater focus on the person behind the grades, but was then captivated by the opportunity to be immersed in the culture and take minors in areas like Operations Research, alongside Mechanical Engineering. Nikolas Aguilar – Princeton University London (King's College London Mathematics School) Born and raised in London by a Catalan mother, Nikolas has an international outlook. Being the Founder of ‘Culture Club’ at his specialist-mathematics sixth form, he opened doors for conversations about the backgrounds and cultures students come from. A keen economist and mathematician, Nik has taken part in summer schools at J.P. Morgan and LSE whilst getting work experience in the finance at Sky HQ. His passion and success in track and field has continued into his passion for beach volleyball by playing competitively across London. Aware of the lack of support his mother had when she came to the UK, he provides help through language and social activities within the Latin American community. Nikolas will be volunteering abroad in Nepal in the summer. As the first generation in his family to attend university, he is attracted to studying in the States as he feels unable to commit to one discipline whilst there is still so much to explore; the US system will allow him to do just that.
Ali Ahmed - Claremont McKenna College Manchester, North West England (Parrs Wood High School) A second-generation immigrant, Ali will be the first in his family to attend university. Living in his hometown of Manchester, Ali had a key part in the One Love Manchester concert, even performing on the stage himself. As the youngest of four siblings, Ali has always had to fight to have his voice heard—this shows through his loud, outspoken personality and his role as Head Boy of his high school. Ali also dedicates much of his time to his passion for music and singing, which he hopes to continue while at university. He attends two choirs and writes and produces his own music. Ali has dreamt of attending university in the United States since he was 14, and now he is getting to do so while soaking up the California sun.
Aquib Akhtar - Connecticut College Stockport, North West England (Loreto College) Aquib Akhtar comes from a large family of eight sisters and one brother and is the first in his family to apply to university. Most of his time is dedicated to tutoring GCSE students and leading STEM classes at his old high school. He enjoys taking part in Model United Nations and has previously represented Latvia (in the middle of a fake Russian invasion). During the school breaks, Aquib engages in work experience and has worked for the NHS and CDL. He is currently hoping to study a mixture of computer science and politics, two very different subjects. The opportunity to continue studying both disciplines is what first attracted him to the US. He is excited to be a part of a liberal arts system which will allow him to study a diverse range of subjects, instead of specialising so early on.
Stuart Aldred - University of Rochester Cowdenbeath, Scotland (Beath High School) Stuart has always had a passion for mathematics, receiving the Gold, Best in Year and Best in School awards for the UK maths challenge. Since then, his interests have widened to physics, chemistry and biology. He hopes to study in the field of STEM, potentially biomedical or chemical engineering. Outside of school, Stuart is involved in sport, particularly running and badminton, as well as music, where he has learned to play the guitar and teaches younger students to play. Since he began high school, Stuart has been fascinated by the idea of studying in the US, as he can continue to challenge himself with academic and non-academic interests, have the opportunity to do internships, and to experience a brand new lifestyle and culture. Stuart is extremely excited and eager to begin his university life this fall.
Rachael Arkell - Grinnell College Alton, South England (Alton College) Rachael describes herself as a word nerd. She is passionate about foreign languages, literature and linguistics, and was active in these areas in her college prior to her gap year. As well as working as a French tutor, she researched for and represented an app to educate tourists about Jane Austen and edited her college's student-run magazine. She has spent her gap year working in France and learning te Reo (Māori) in New Zealand. She is attracted to the US education system because of the academic freedom it provides; she will be able to further explore subjects she had to leave behind at GCSE and subjects she has never had the chance to study before. She hopes to major in a foreign language and linguistics and looks forward to getting involved in Grinnell’s thriving literary scene.
Harriet Bailes – Georgetown University Middlewich, North West England (St Nicholas Catholic High School) Harriet is a driven and determined young woman with high future. At the age of 11 she became a blackbelt in Karate and went on to represent England in the European Championships. An advocate for equal opportunities, Harriet loves to encourage students in her school and community; immersing herself in mentoring schemes, establishing clubs and volunteering at a local primary school. As a first-generation student, Harriet is unbelievably excited about the liberal arts curriculum the US has to offer and can’t wait to experience a new culture. Whether it be learning a foreign language or taking classes in Government, she simply can’t wait to explore new subject areas alongside learning more about the world (and herself) by joining as many clubs as she possibly can.
Valentine Bailey-Beckett - Pomona College Bodmin, South West England (Bodmin College) Valentine Bailey-Beckett is a creative and well rounded student, currently studying physics, chemistry, English literature and textiles. Her extracurriculars are largely concerned with English and textiles, as she spends a large amount of her spare time reading, writing and sewing, including making costumes for school productions and clothes for herself. Her literary accomplishments to date include two poems published in national collections and an article in Young Scientists Journal. Valentine's interest in US undergraduate study began a year ago when a teacher recommended US study to her. The main reason she is interested in the US is the more diverse nature of the curriculum, meaning she would not have to drop any interests upon reaching higher education, and could even continue to broaden them.
Rebecca Banks – Princeton University Tavistock, South West England (Tavistock College) Rebecca is an ambitious young woman from the western edge of Dartmoor in Devon. She is the first person in her school’s history to apply to an American university. Rebecca is Deputy Head Girl at her school and she has been the Team Leader for the Engineering Team who were awarded the Innovation Award at the National Engineering Education Scheme finals and have an international patent on their design. She has been on two international netball tours and is going to Swaziland to help teach local children about HIV through netball and rugby. Though Rebecca is a natural and capable mathematician, her true passion lies in computer science, notably in cyber security. Local schools are using her password strength checker programme. She plans to major in computer science but is looking forward to trying other subjects such as psychology and astrophysics and exploring the many different clubs and sports available to her.
Joshua Bissett - Franklin & Marshall College Grangemouth, Scotland (Grangemouth High School) Josh lives in a small, quiet town called Grangemouth. Josh is the first member of his family to go to university. The US study experience really appealed to him because he thinks the challenge of moving across an ocean to go to university will give him the opportunity to grow. Some of Josh's more notable extracurricular activities are founding and leading a free community youth club for children between the ages of 7-12 and starting a homeless food project that takes food that would have otherwise been thrown out and instead is used to feed the hungry in his local community.
Samuel Blackman - Harvard College Kettering, Midlands (Kettering Science Academy) Sam comes from Kettering in Northamptonshire. He's the first in his family to go to university and has a massive interest in writing; it's a dream of his to be a successful author. Additionally, he loves teaching, and has tutored students in maths and chemistry. Another challenge he's undertaking alongside A-levels and is learning to figure skate, because he's enjoyed watching it since he was little. Given his diverse interests, Sam looks forward to the liberal arts curriculum allowing him to keep a foot in both worlds, while also being able to live, study and travel in another country.
Caitlin Burns - Smith College Dundee, Scotland (Harris Academy) Caitlin was born in Northern Ireland but after four years moved to Dundee, Scotland with her mother. During her time in Dundee, Caitlin was a vice school captain at Harris Academy and completed over 200 of hours voluntary work. Being a strong advocate for equality, she also established an LGBTQA support group within her high school. She is extremely excited and grateful to be able to explore a US higher education as a firstgeneration student. Throughout high school, Caitlin has won academic awards across the arts, humanities and sciences. Due to this breadth of interest she is ecstatic to be given the academic flexibility that US colleges provide. She hopes that during her time in the US she can find a subject she's truly passionate about and go on to make a meaningful impact within her respective field. Sam Burton-King - Northwestern University Glasgow, Scotland (Williamwood High School) Sam will be the first generation of his family to attend university. He has a passion for music and mathematics and is a volunteer with the Glasgow Disabled Scout Group. The US university system especially appealed to him because of the diversity of courses on offer to all students, and the fact that many of his varied interests could be incorporated into his degree.
Emma Cairns - Duke University Glasgow, Scotland (John Paul Academy/The Glasgow Academy) Emma was born and raised in Glasgow, Scotland, and has been fascinated with all things STEM from a young age. This fascination lead Emma to start and run her own website design and development business in October 2016. Emma also participated in a Nuffield Research Placement in Summer 2017 at the University of Glasgow's Neuroscience & Psychology Institute where she carried out a pilot study into perception of facial beauty. She was also shortlisted for the WISE One to Watch
Ben Coles - Princeton University Lincoln, Midlands (The Priory Academy LSST) Ben is a first-generation university student and was attracted to study in the US after discovering how much freedom students have and the opportunities outside of studies. He hopes to major in maths at university having qualified and competed in the British Mathematical Olympiad in his time at school. He has a passion for community service and has worked within the young blind community for several years after his brother lost his sight in 2008, becoming a fully qualified coach in the Paralympic sport of goalball. He hopes to extend his interest in sport in the US after his time spent competing as a cyclist and footballer in the UK. He plans to make the most of the academic freedom offered by Princeton by studying economics and philosophy beyond his major and continuing to expand his hobbies and interests outside the classroom. L Culling – Davidson College Norwich, East England (Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form) L lives in Norwich, Norfolk, where they've been an active member of their community for several years; most notably volunteering for four years with a local scouting group, which they've been a member of since age six. L has worked hard to support their sixth form, as both a student council member and student ambassador, helping to create and uphold a friendly, welcoming environment for all students. They are looking forward to taking part in many electives, as well as gaining a wide breadth of knowledge through their time at college.
Jordana Deighton - Claremont McKenna College Sheffield, Midlands (Tapton School) Jordana, along with the near entirety of both her extended and immediate family, lives in Sheffield, England. She was born with a million and one ‘whys’, ‘ifs’, and ‘buts’, and that curiosity of the outside world is what led to her passion for science. She participates in scientific research into zebrafish and cardiovascular disease and utilises computer software to analyse predictions of the whip worm’s genetic code alongside the European Bioinformatics Institute. Jordana’s hobbies include adventuring in the local woods neighbouring Peak District as well as kickboxing, football and art. Largely influenced by her mum, who was a first-generation student, Jordana will be the second member of her family to go to university, and the first to do so abroad. The US will allow Jordana to continue exploring the many academic areas which appeal to her, including neuroscience, philosophy and environmental sciences, without having to compromise the subjects she’s passionate about.
Amy Drake – Northwestern University Somerset, South West England (Richard Huish College) Amy developed an international outlook from an early age, following her adoption from China to the UK. She is an active leader of her college’s student council and as the head of the college's Psychology Society. Amy can always be found playing music; she has achieved Distinction at ABRSM Grade 8 violin, is a self-taught pianist and volunteers to teach music at several different folk arts organisations throughout the UK. Amy has enjoys generating new ideas and was chosen for the Director’s Prize by her principal for designing a new rewards system for her school. Amy enjoys helping her mum to teach her younger sister GCSE material, and looks forward to studying in the US as a chance to learn from a varied and diverse student body. She is looking forward to a liberal arts education and the opportunity it provides for her to continue to learn about both her academic and musical interests. Rebecca Gibbons – Emory University Sudbury, East England (St Benedict's Catholic School) Rebecca is a bubbly, adventurous individual and will be in the first generation of her family to attend university. In her GCSEs, she achieved the best results in her year group, and she has also earned ‘Best in Subject’ awards for Science and Spanish – her main academic passions. Rebecca is a grade 8 level flautist and hopes to continue her love of performing music as part of a wind symphony in college. She has also dedicated many hours to volunteering on a trauma ward in her local hospital, an experience which has developed her desire to study biology. She was most attracted to studying in the US for the unique opportunity to continue studying a range of subjects at a higher level and is now most looking forward to participating in biomedical research as an undergraduate and studying abroad.
Florence Gill - Bennington College Doncaster, North East England (Campsmount Academy) As the first student from Campsmount to attend a US institution, Florence is looking forward to studying at Bennington College where she can focus on her passion for STEM, English, drama and music. Recently, she has volunteered teaching children drama, helping at charities for vulnerable adults, running a community radio station and working as a technician. She has also raised awareness through various projects about equality, the importance of good mental health and open water safety. She has independently run her school’s entry in a national drama and dance competition for two years, managing over 150 students and including over 60% of her school in subsequent workshops about tackling addictive behaviour. Through this, she has honed her English skills, writing poetry and short stories, winning several English Awards and receiving the “Governor’s Award for Overall Contribution to the Academy”.
William Gilroy - Harvey Mudd College Barrow-in-Furness, North West England (Ulverston Victoria High School) As a first-generation student from Barrow-in-Furness, Will has always wanted to see what's out there, so when his teacher mentioned the opportunity to study in America, he thought "why not?". He has always wanted to go into a STEM career of some sort and having won a local district engineers cash award after GCSE, he was convinced he could do it. He also has an insatiable interest in subjects like philosophy, so has spent a lot of his spare time setting up clubs for both his interests, as well as volunteering to teach younger students. He is most excited about being able to explore both of his interests, whilst still getting the depth of knowledge for his main field from a fantastic university, in a culture which he thinks will make for a more compelling experience.
George Goodfellow - Georgia Institute of Technology Sherborne, South West England (The Gryphon School) As an aspiring designer, engineer and entrepreneur, George enjoys working as a technical adviser to an energy start-up, building the latest on-demand energy distribution platforms. Exploring the field of engineering further through his Arkwright Scholarship funds, George has been developing his own 3D printed EV technology, stemming from his Volvo "Truck of 2050" national design competition entry which he came runner up for in 2015. He looks to continue developing this towards a patent at university. George is also an avid squash player and ultra-marathon runner, and lover of extreme challenges such as skydiving and military obstacle courses. He can't wait to get involved in the entrepreneurial scene at Georgia Tech as well as exploring new countries through their international programme, continuing to learn Mandarin along the way. Tilly Griffiths - Stanford University Leek, Midlands (City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College) Tilly is a driven young woman from Staffordshire who has never let her physical disability be a barrier to achieving her goals. Through voluntary and ambassadorial work for a number of charities, Tilly has been a keen advocate for those with disabilities and has so far raised in excess of £5 million to fund powered wheelchairs for children. She founded the Student Volunteering Society within her sixth form college to promote community engagement amongst young people in her local area. As a keen sportswoman, Tilly can also be found out on the water in her club’s bright pink boat, which she sails using fingertip controls. Tilly’s determination to attend university across the Atlantic grew from her eagerness to experience American college life and from her desire to prove that with support, passion and determination, anything is possible. Incorporating her love of writing and fascination with the media and society, she intends to major in communication, but is also excited to explore the vast array of academic opportunities that await.
Lee Harding - Brown University Rowley Regis, Midlands (Ormiston Forge Academy) Lee comes from Rowley Regis, where he has lived for all his life, and he will be the first person in his family to go to university. He often volunteers at a local hospital, where he undertakes a wide array of different jobs; gets involved with charities via walks, mountain climbs and fundraiser days and is a big fan of e-sports. Lee can't wait to get involved with the campus culture at Brown University and would love to join a sports team, as well as trying to become an ambassador to support other international students at the university.
Jamie Harkin - University of Notre Dame Derry, Northern Ireland (Lumen Christi College) Jamie has dreamed of studying in the US since he was three feet tall. After beating cancer twice as a teen, Jamie founded an NPO called Jamie’s Journie, to help families in the North West effected by childhood cancer. He has raised £60,000 for his cause, and has won several awards, including the Derry Journal People of the Year Award, the Credit Union People of the Year Award, and the Supervalu Superstars Award. As a member of the Emerald Garrison, Jamie has also contributed to raising several hundred thousand pounds for charities like Make-A-Wish, Childhood Cancer Foundation, and Autism Awareness. The first in his family to go to university, Jamie is most looking forward to working with some of the particle accelerators at Notre Dame, which are kept specifically for undergraduates, as part of their emphasis on undergraduate research. Ryan Harper - Vanderbilt University Stourport-on-Severn, Midlands (King Edward VI College Stourbridge) Ryan is a highly driven individual and has lived in Stourport for his entire life. He has a keen interest in politics and established and led the Model UN club at his college. Ryan also takes part in various political activities, such as campaigning in the recent general elections and referendums. He also has a passion for computer programming, a hobby that originated when he first picked up a Raspberry Pi at the age of 12; from this, he has developed several projects, including an Android application. A philomath and aspiring polymath, Ryan is looking forward to the intellectually stimulating liberal arts curriculum found in US universities, as he has a wide variety of interests, ranging from philosophy and mathematics to history and chemistry.
Lydia Hewitt - Denison University Teesside, North East England (Hartlepool Sixth Form College) Lydia loves the mathematical and physical world. She enjoys exploring her academic interests outside of the classroom: attending lectures at Durham University and writing her own research paper on black holes. Lydia tutors younger students in maths and English as well as teaching GCSE level chemistry to two retired women. As an active member of her parish’s Young Christian Workers group, Lydia spends time helping to plan fundraising events for her church community to raise money for local charities and at university is keen to volunteer with organisations like Habitat for Humanity. Lydia is a first-generation student and the first person from her college to be accepted onto the Sutton Trust US Programme. The most exciting part about a liberal arts education for Lydia is the opportunity to study a plethora of her many interests: exploring new subjects and gaining an interdisciplinary perspective. Georgia-Leigh Hewitt - New York University - Abu Dhabi Merthyr Tydfil, Wales (The College Merthyr Tydfil) Georgia is a first generation student from Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales. Georgia’s mother is Maltese, and her father is Welsh, which has influenced her wish to discover new cultures. Georgia is a cheerleader, dancer, and a gymnastics coach, representing Great Britain at the EuroGym festival hosted in Czech Republic. She wants to become a member of a college cheerleading team and to take part in many community service programmes. Georgia spent part of her gap year working alongside local volunteers in a three-month project in Bangladesh. Despite the immense differences in her team-mates’ backgrounds, Georgia created lasting friendships and learned so much more than she taught and is looking forward to learning from people from all over the world at college.
Jake Horsfall - Northwestern University Manchester, North West England (The Blue Coat CofE School) Jake is the first ever from his sixth form to be accepted into a US institution for undergraduate study. A keen leader among his peers, he has been Deputy Head Boy at both his current sixth form and his secondary school prior to that, making valuable contributions to both school and community. Jake also holds a wide range of interests that occupy his spare time - he enjoys running; is a blackbelt and national champion in karate; plays rugby for his local team, Ashton R.U.F.C, and plays the electric guitar. The most attractive part about studying in Chicago for him was how he could pursue each of these interests, academic and otherwise, without any sort of restriction. America will allow him to acquire the experiences and understanding necessary to have a meaningful impact on the wider world.
Andrew Jackson - University of Richmond Bathgate, Scotland (St Kentigern's Academy) Andrew has lived all his life in a small town called Bathgate, and attends school in one of the most deprived areas of Scotland. As the first in his family to move away from his home for studies, Andrew is dedicated to his education and is passionate about trying to improve the situation within the community in which he lives. Weekly, he works as a volunteer within the Scouts, and the Reading Club at school, both of which aim to provide young people with opportunities to learn new skills and further develop their existing ones. He took on the challenge of swimming the length of a nearby Loch in an attempt to raise funds for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Foundation, and in doing so, gathered over £300 for the charity. He is very driven by the opportunity to study a range of subjects and possibly double major at a US university.
Holly James - Connecticut College Liverpool, North West England (The Liverpool Blue Coat School) Holly is looking to explore opportunities beyond her home city and will be the first in her family to attend university. Inspired by her hard-working mother, she is passionate about community service, dedicating time to charity fundraising and raising hundreds of pounds for charities such as The Alzheimer’s Society. Holly combines this passion with her love for languages acting as a tutor outside of school for younger students struggling with Spanish, in addition to mentoring lower school students in English language and literature. She is looking forward to exploring a range of different subjects in the US, adding to her languages portfolio whilst revisiting her interests in politics and social science. Holly is excited to work with others in order to succeed and contribute to the community on a larger scale whilst at university. Aleks Jenner - St. Olaf College Wymondham, East of England (Wymondham College) Aleks is incredibly proud to be the first in his family to enter higher education. As a keen trumpet player and choral singer, Aleks chose St. Olaf College in Minnesota because of their renowned musical study programme and extracurricular musical ensembles. After passing his trumpet performance diploma and becoming an Associate of the Royal Schools of Music he has been busy playing professional gigs in theatres and orchestras in Norwich. Being a volunteer during summer holidays in the National Park Fire Service in Poland helped Aleks become fluent in Polish. One of his goals at St. Olaf is to learn the language of the country of his birth, Norwegian. Although passionate about music, Aleks would love to combine musical studies with economics, something that is best achieved within the liberal arts curriculum offered in the USA.
Oscar Jopp - Lafayette College Baldock, South East England (Hills Road Sixth Form College) Oscar is the only child of a single parent and will be the first in his immediate family to attend university. Oscar is particularly interested in engineering and was awarded with an Arkwright Engineering Scholarship supported by TWI. His biggest extracurricular interest is in athletics. Oscar is a highly competitive athlete and competes at national level in the decathlon. As well as competing, Oscar is a fully qualified coach and official. Oscar chose to apply to US higher education as it would enable him to rediscover academic interests he had to leave behind at A-level, discover new interests, and become a well-rounded graduate so that he may understand the world’s most complex issues and become an effective minister of change.
Adam Khan - Connecticut College Manchester, North West England (Parrs Wood High School) When he’s not studying hard for his A-levels, Adam is either spending time creating and recording music, singing, or working to help the homeless. He sings in two choirs, the Manchester United Foundation Choir and Parrs Wood Harmony Choir – and with them, he has helped raise over £30,000 for the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund and performed at numerous charity events including One Love Manchester alongside Ariana Grande. He also regularly leads drama activities and workshops with younger students in his school, where he helps the students develop their confidence and team-working skills alongside their drama skills. He is the second person in his family to attend university and was first attracted to US higher education because of the liberal arts system. He is excited to continue studying multiple subjects (particularly music) and is hoping to study abroad in Japan for a semester. Hana Khan - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Slough, South West England (Baylis Court School) Hana won the prestigious Morehead-Cain scholarship to attend UNCChapel Hill. As a first-generation university student, she is interested in studying history and/or politics at university alongside a language. She would then like to progress into a career focusing on human rights research. She is the former Head Girl at her school and has been involved in the Bar Mock Trial, Amnesty Club and UNICEF group. She has also completed research projects with UCL as part of the Uni-Link and Young Researchers programme. The liberal arts education system and general atmosphere of US higher education appeals to her and she is excited to explore this, alongside many other things, at Chapel Hill.
Syimyk Kyshtoobaev - Yale University Crowborough, South East England (The Skinners' School) Syimyk lives in Crowborough, East Sussex. As an avid football (soccer) player, he has had the privilege to play abroad, including in Spain, France, and Holland, forming the foundations of his aspiration to study abroad. In addition to the prospect of studying in world class academic institutions, it was the extensive range of extracurricular clubs and the possibility of a liberal arts education which contributed to the appeal of the US.
Annalise Langdon - New York University - Abu Dhabi Cheltenham, South West England (Balcarras School) Annalise is an aspiring engineer eager to start her undergraduate degree. She was awarded a prestigious Arkwright Engineering Scholarship, and not only was she the project manager of her school’s Engineering in Education Scheme, but was also the Assistant Managing Director of the Young Enterprise team – both of which placed in the county final. Annalise enjoys giving up her time to help others and working with her community and volunteers at a local charity shop. She also participated in the National Citizen Service, where she was the project manager of the social action project which raised over £1000 for charity. She wishes to broaden her education and life experiences, explore new countries, and meet new people from an array of different cultures.
Naomi-Louise Liesching-Schroder - Skidmore College Rochford, South East England (Southend High School for Girls) Naomi will be the first in her family to attend university. Active within her school community, she has been an academic mentor for year 11 students, to help prepare them for GCSEs, and a history subject captain. Outside of school, she has worked a part-time job as a waitress in a village pub restaurant. A keen dance enthusiast, Naomi has been dancing since she could walk, having taken classes for over 15 years and performing in shows every other year with her team. She has a great interest in languages and travelling and has been self-teaching Russian for the past two years. Naomi has been interested in studying in the US for many years, due to the freedom of the liberal arts curriculum and the focus on extracurricular activities. She is excited to major in history with a minor in sociology and to study a wide range of subjects alongside these.
Bethan Lodge - Bryn Mawr College Pontefract, North East England (St Wilfrid’s Catholic High School and Sixth Form College) Bethan is a first generation student. She completed her grade 8 ballet exam at distinction level, and had the opportunity to perform at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London. She was also the first person at her school to complete her Gold DofE, travelling to Wales and the Lake District to complete the expeditions and meeting new people. She is also part of the student leadership team at her school, working to improve the sixth form for future students. She has work experience inside a quality control oil laboratory, and at the Scottish Crannog Centre. She is most looking forward to attending a women’s college and being surrounded by strong independent women on a daily basis.
Hafsah Manzur - Bryn Mawr College Glasgow, Scotland (Eastwood High School) Hafsah is a student from Glasgow and will be the first in her family to attend university. Hafsah is a passionate scientist and hopes to study physics at college, become an engineer, and eventually work for NASA. She is very involved within her school where she is vice-captain of third year, a member of her school’s charity and yearbook committees, and her school’s hockey team. Hafsah is an accomplished young woman who has placed first and third place in the Scottish Karate Championships twice and has also been awarded a prestigious Arkwright Engineering Scholarship. She looks forward to living in the USA as an independent adult, making new friends and exploring Philadelphia, her new home for the next four years.
John McCambridge - Dartmouth University Glenelg, Scotland (Plockton High School) Having lived out his childhood in the outback of New Zealand until he immigrated to Scotland in late 2011, John has always sought to help others. He has run a start-up app called PHS Maths that helps thousands of students across Scotland studying Mathematics and is developing another technology start-up known as Detect which allows individuals to quickly diagnose and prevent melanoma skin cancer from developing. John also plays for his school’s rugby team and manages the technical infrastructure of his local football team. He has always been drawn towards education that allows him to understand multiple disciplines which is why undergraduate study in the US appeals to him, due to the highly sophisticated and flexible curriculum a liberal arts education offers.
Darren McCarroll - University of Richmond Ballynahinch, Northern Ireland (Wellington College) Darren is Deputy Head Boy and a chairperson of the Student Council at his school. Darren is from a small market town, where his mum works as a primary school classroom assistant. Darren’s dad works as a firefighter who in his free time shows Darren an inspiring work ethic as he farms sheep and cattle. Despite these rural roots, Darren envisions a future in which he lives and works in a financial capital of the world - experiencing new ideas, cultures, and opportunities. The Sutton Trust US Programme has made this far-fetched dream possible, as it has enabled Darren to obtain a spot as a Presidential Scholar at the University of Richmond. Overall, Darren looks forward to stepping outside of his comfort zone once again as he meets new people, joins new societies and challenges himself in ways he never thought he would. Catriona McCrory - Vanderbilt University Ballymena, Northern Ireland (St Louis Grammar School) Catriona is an accomplished sailor and works during the summer months as an RYA-qualified Dinghy Instructor at her local sailing club. Catriona is the captain of her school's debating team, which she led to the semi-finals of the prestigious Northern Ireland Schools Debating Competition. Catriona won a gold medal in the UK Biology Olympiad, placing her in the top 3% of all participants. The liberal arts curriculum of US colleges is what appealed to Catriona the most about studying in the US because it allows her to continue exploring her broad range of interests. She can't wait to travel to Nashville in the fall and start enjoying life in the US!
Emmet McGeown - Emory University Lurgan, Northern Ireland (Lismore Comprehensive School) Emmet’s main interests are in politics, languages and theology. Initiating the debating craze at his school, attending conferences on climate change at Stormont and leading workshops on youth issues at his local council, Emmet's interest in politics is evident in his extracurriculars. His faith is important to him and he spent three months of 2017 working at a Catholicrun homeless shelter just outside New York City. He is Head Boy and a finalist in the most prestigious All-Ireland poetry competition. His interest in US higher education was sparked by research which revealed the diversity, political activism, holistic education, and unparalleled language, international relations and economics departments on most US campuses.
Aaron Miller - Colgate University London (Seven Kings High School) Aaron is a Londoner and a first-generation university student. His love for community service really inspired him to apply to US universities due to the emphasis they place on extracurricular activities. At school he organised numerous Model UN conferences which brought together London youths to discuss and think of solutions to pressing global issues. He also started his own youth project aimed at tackling homelessness in London through fundraising. As part of his gap year he spent three months in rural Nepal volunteering through teaching English and taking part in income-generating activities for the community. Aaron hopes to use his undergraduate degree to work for the UN and help achieve global sustainable development.
Ansar Mirza - New York University - Abu Dhabi Wandsworth, Greater London (Tiffin School) Ansar is the manager of his regional U15s football team. He has lead his team to victory in the AFL National tournament for three consecutive years. Prior to this, he served as the captain for his team and won five trophies during his four-year tenure. Ansar is a member of the prestigious Young Magicians Circle and has been practicing the art of magic for several years, performing across London and in Germany. He is committed to helping his borough by serving as a senior member of the Wandsworth Youth Council. In an effort to help his community, Ansar has expanded the use of his magic by hosting charity shows that raise money for the homeless. The US system appeals to Ansar as he is able to study under a liberal arts curriculum and expand his academic reach, allowing him to explore an array of subjects whilst maintaining a focus in economics and political science. Keiran Mitchell - Yale University Fleetwood, North West England (The Blackpool Sixth Form College) Keiran comes from Blackpool and is the first in his family to attend university. His interests include debate and politics, and he has been involved in work related to mental health as well as his local youth council. He was particularly drawn to the US for their liberal arts curriculum, Yale’s unique Ethics, Politics and Economics degree, and the ability to spend four years in a foreign culture.
Mohamed Mohamed - Massachusetts Institute of Technology London (Ark Burlington Danes) Mohamed will be part of the first generation of his family to attend university. He has proudly enjoyed volunteering as a language mentor in his school working with younger pupils, partaking in Youth Parliament and working in various research projects. His proudest academic achievement is his research into asteroid mining that he hopes one day will be a viable industry. In the past year he has also enjoyed participating in an engineering research project concerning train safety as lead engineer. These projects have motivated him to pursue a career in space technology research which is what encouraged him to pursue astronautical studies. He looks forward to engaging in aerospace societies and hopefully intermediate technology projects that aim to help impoverished communities have access to necessary technology. This spectrum of interest is what made studying in the liberal arts educational system of the US perfect for him. Dayna Mooneegan - University of Rochester Derby, Midlands (Bilborough College) Dayna was born and raised in Derbyshire and will be the first in her family to go to university. She has been studying drama for over ten years and recently achieved her Gold Acting Medal through LAMDA. In her free time, she leads Amnesty International and Instagram marketing at her college, organises fundraisers for the RSCPA and keeps up with political news. Dayna is very excited to be attending the University of Rochester in August and was attracted to US education due to her sense of adventure and desire to combine an international relations major and drama minor. Whilst studying, she hopes to volunteer in the local community and abroad and explore America. On campus she hopes to get involved with theatre productions and is excited to learn alongside peers from around the world. Tess Moran - Barnard College Pembrokeshire, Wales (Ysgol y Preseli) Coming from an English mother and an Irish father, Tess is the first in her family ever to speak fluently in another language and has been taught solely in Welsh her entire life. In her spare time, Tess likes making pizzas at a local pizzeria, volunteering with her local Brownie Guides, as well as completing short Open University courses, most recently a course in cryptography. She is also a world class Irish dancer and has danced competitively since the age of 4, winning both national and international titles. Tess is a maths fanatic and has competed in the annual UKMT Maths Challenge 6 times, winning awards in both the junior and senior categories. Tess was the first person in her school ever to apply to US institutions and believes that studying in the US is perfect for her as she can share her love of maths with her lifelong love of dance.
Kelly Mwaamba - Lafayette College Staines, South West England (The Tiffin Girls' School) Kelly will be the first in her family to attend university. Kelly hopes to pursue a career in law and believes that studying abroad is an effective method of establishing diversity amongst peers. Having initially been attracted to the US by her strong academic curiosity and desire to expand her knowledge in all areas of the curriculum, she was particularly interested by the broad education of a US college education. She was awarded the Highest GCSE Result Achievement Award in Year 11 which demonstrates her commitment to her academics. As captain of her local dance team, Kelly has dedicated 16 years to competitive dance and has helped lead her team to the All England Dance National Finals in 2017. Besides dancing, Kelly loves coaching gymnastics to children with moderate to severe learning difficulties and disabilities. Masi Nagdee - Princeton University Manchester, North West England (Stretford Grammar School) Masi will be the first in his family to go to university. He is a proactive member of his school community, taking on senior roles in the Student Parliament to improve teaching across his school and encourage leadership among younger students. Having served as a project manager in the National Citizen Service, he knows the importance of developing soft skills alongside academics. A gold medallist in UKMT Maths Challenges and an Ogden Trust Schools Physicist of the Year, he’s always had an enthusiasm for STEM. Alongside his intended major of civil engineering, he is looking forward to further exploring his interests in philosophy and geopolitics, something he could never do in the classroom as an engineering student in the UK. In his free time, he is an avid cyclist, bike mechanic, and electronics hobbyist. He hopes to take these passions to the next level within his university’s electrical and mechanical engineering departments and cycling team. Nataly Ojeda Mosquera - New York University - Abu Dhabi London (Bishop Thomas Grant Catholic Secondary School) Nataly will be a first-generation university student. Through her role as representative of her canton in Ecuador, Miss Cariamanga 2016-2017, she is proud of her work on youth involvement in the community. Nataly sees her community service as the most important part of her. She dedicates her weekends to volunteering with charities such as the British Heart Foundation and CAFOD and runs fundraising events. Nataly is Head Girl at her school. Her passion is chemistry and she intends to major in this at university, but she also has a profound interest in languages. The ability to pursue all of her academic interests and experience a variety of cultures forms the core of Nataly’s enthusiasm for undergraduate study in the US. She believes that studying there will provide her with an opportunity to discover a whole different side to the world.
Oliver Osei-Asibey - University of Pennsylvania London (London Academy of Excellence) Oliver will be a first-generation university student. With both his parents being immigrants from Ghana, he is a strong believer in the power of experiencing new cultures to shape one’s future. After entering an essay prize, he lived and breathed this belief by representing the UK at the International Geography Olympiad 2017 in Serbia. As a community-focused student, he has engaged with local organisations such as a Hearing Voices support group and a youth basketball charity. Taking a gap year after Alevels, Oliver spent eight months working as an Analyst at Accenture, and will spend the summer in Canada working at a summer camp geared towards children with developmental delays. He hopes to combine business and the liberal arts to explore his current interests whilst nurturing new ones.
Hemal Patel - Williams College Coventry, Midlands (Blue Coat Church of England School) Hemal lives with his parents and his two triplet sisters. He, along with his sisters, will be the first to attend university in the family. Within academics he has a passion for a variety of subjects, especially mathematics and philosophy. Proud of his Indian roots, Hemal enjoys studying Indian classical music. He had been learning tabla (Indian classical drums) and Indian classical singing for seven years and currently teaches the art to younger students. Hoping to inspire others with his love of math, Hemal tutors younger students at his school and in his local community. Hemal has served as head prefect and not only was he captain of the school football team but he has also played cricket at county level and introduced the sport to his school. With a passion for puzzles, Hemal is also an avid speed cuber.
Max Pearson - Davidson College Hexham, North East England (Queen Elizabeth High School) Max is a life-long resident of Hexham, Northumberland. He is the first in his family to attend university. His favourite extracurricular is track running, and in his seven years of athletics, he has been fortunate enough to win 13 National podiums. At first this love of track is what inspired his dream of attending university in America, however throughout the process his goals evolved, and now he is equally excited about the new challenges of education as he is about the challenge of athletics.
Abigail Peters - Columbia University King's Lynn, Midlands (Springwood High School) Abigail has spent her school years aiming high. A first generation university applicant, she wants to continue achieving and defying expectations. Abigail has been part of her school’s mock trial team for over five years, competing at local courts and as a barrister in the Old Bailey. In 2016, she spent a week at the world finals in New York City, which she attributes with first sparking her interest in US study. Abigail’s school team, the smallest at the competition, was the highest scoring international team ever and returned the following year to place even higher. Singing is a large part of Abigail’s life - she regularly performs with the school choir at concerts and competitions and recently received a distinction for grade 8 vocals. After previously having been a young carer for her father for two years, Abigail has a very close relationship to her mother. Abigail is excited to live in New York City, to be immersed in a city of culture, art, music and intellect with like-minded students from all over the world. ‘Dolapo Prince - Sewanee: The University of the South London (The Bridge Academy) ‘Dolapo is an avid musician and athlete. She is the guitarist and double bassist of her school’s Senior Soul Band (a jazz band), and a composer with her very own active Soundcloud account. As a basketball player, ‘Dolapo is a mentor to the young girls of the squad, and the founder of a sisterhood programme named Sisters of the Bridge Mentoring Academy which aims to increase young girls’ confidence and self-esteem. She is the co-founder of a local youth club, volunteering weekly to support children with their schoolwork and teach them how to compose their own music. She independently taught herself AS Further Maths and is the only female participant of her school’s maths club of 10 people. Her aspiration to study in the US is primarily because of the numerous opportunities that are available to undergraduates and the flexibility in academics offered by liberal arts institutions
Rahim Raja - University of Chicago Warrington, North West England (Cronton Sixth Form College) Physics has been a constant source of fascination for Rahim and he doesn’t see a future where physics isn’t an integral part of his life. Rahim found the idea of studying physics in the US to be a refreshing opportunity to pursue an education filled with extracurricular opportunities and interdisciplinary learning. Having enjoyed research projects in solar physics and particle accelerators, he hopes to further engage in research at university, and eventually as a career. Combining his curiosity for the natural world and his desire to educate others, Rahim has started a Maths Club at his college, has tutored in science for several years, and has delivered lectures at college, such as “MRI Quantum Physics”. In his free time, Rahim enjoys astrophotography, learning heavy metal riffs, and volunteering/fundraising, for example with Parkinson’s UK and the Green Party.
Elizabeta Ranxburgaj - Bryn Mawr College London (Convent of Jesus and Mary Language College) Elizabeta will be the first in her family to attend university. An active member in her school community, Elizabeta has held roles from Head Girl to school prefect which has enabled her to advance her leadership skills. Elizabeta's passion for charity and voluntary work has led her to volunteer weekly at a local church community group for the elderly and visit Lourdes for a week to assist less-abled pilgrims. Elizabeta's family is of Albanian origin and, as a first-generation immigrant, her global outlook has spurred her to turn to the US for her higher education. She looks forward to pursuing a liberal arts education where she can take full advantage of the flexible curriculum and making the most of all of the undergraduate opportunities available in the US.
Otis Skitch - Bucknell University Torbay, South West England (Churston Ferrers Grammar School) Otis grew up seaside resort of Torbay. He's an advocate for the young people in his community and the wider UK. Aged 16, Otis was elected as the Member of Youth Parliament for Torbay where he spent his time starting the Torbay Youth Forum and representing the young people of Torbay. At 17, he went on to become a member of the UK Youth Select Committee during their inquiry into the effects of racism and religious discrimination on young people. He and the Committee heard evidence and wrote a report that scrutinised the UK Government and which three government ministers responded to. Now 19, he currently works at a high street bank, is a keen sportsman and will be a first-generation university student. When attending Bucknell University, Otis looks forward to the opportunities it will offer him and being challenged academically as well as culturally.
Aisling Smith - Denison University Isle of Lewis, Scotland (The Nicolson Institute) Aisling comes all the way from The Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. She is the first of her big family to attend university and looks forward to having a liberal arts education where she can pursue and explore all her passions in the US. She can't wait to broaden her worldly view by entering a new culture and befriend many new people from different walks of life. Aisling is a very creative person who loves spending time drawing and painting wildlife and doing henna tattoos. She is also deeply interested in biology, particularly genetics. Aisling is an active prefect and vice-captain at her school, helping in the organisation of events throughout the year and acting as chief editor of yearbook.
Francisca Teixeira - Middlebury College London (Convent of Jesus and Mary Language College) Francisca is a first-generation student. Coming from a Portuguese background, Francisca developed a sense of curiosity of other cultures, encouraging her to explore other countries and learn new languages. Francisca tutors GCSE students in English, Italian and Portuguese. She spends her free time fundraising for charities such as the National AIDS Trust. She volunteers with the elderly, including volunteering in Lourdes and working with a local elderly church group. Francisca is very environmentally aware and has taken on the role of the Recycling Ambassador for her school and represented the Green Party in her school elections. The US undergraduate education system appeals to Francisca and she hopes to make the most of the liberal arts curriculum which will allow her to combine her love for languages with her passion for STEM and the environment.
Edward Tranter - Swarthmore College Wisbech, South East England (Spalding Grammar School) Edward is a trailblazer; a first-generation college student and the first person from his school to apply to US institutions. An avid poet and philosopher, Edward has been recognised in many competitions, such as being commended by Trinity College, Cambridge. Since beginning Sixth Form, Ed has been interested in what makes a perfect leader, and has since become a house captain, senior mentor, and a member of his local youth council to find out. Ed chose to apply to the US because he wanted to be able to pursue his passions whilst gaining invaluable life skills and would love to double major in philosophy and political science.
Adam Watson - University of Pennsylvannia Manchester, North West England (The Blue Coat CofE School) Adam is the first generation in his family to go to university and outside of school enjoys volunteering in his community, most recently helping at a local care home. As well as this, Adam is a qualified football referee and officiates youth games regularly. The openness of the liberal arts curriculum in America appealed to Adam who has a keen interest for both the sciences and social sciences. He is particularly interested in politics and looks forward to better understanding the US political system. When in Philadelphia, Adam is excited to explore his new city, meet new people and continue to make a meaningful impact on his community.
Cameron Watts - Minerva Schools at KGI Chesterfield, Midlands (Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School) After looking at UK universities, Cameron decided that he wanted something more for his higher education and applied to the Sutton Trust US Programme. He designed and built his own computer at 14 and has kept up many extracurricular activities through his studies. He will be attending Minerva Schools at KGI, a new and experimental university, that gives students from all backgrounds the opportunity to travel the world.
Geraint Webb - Whitman College Redruth, South West England (Truro and Penwith College) Geraint is a first-generation student. His interests include hockey coaching, dog training, and horse riding. What appealed to Geraint about the US higher education system was its liberal arts basis, this means that he will have much greater flexibility of choice in the subjects that he studies when compared to the UK, as he is undecided upon which subject he wishes to study at university. He is most looking forward to studying, meeting, and making friends with people of very different cultures as he loves to find out new about new people and ideas. He is also looking forward to the adventure of travelling to the Northwest as it is such a unique and beautiful area of the United States.
Helen Webley-Brown - Washington University of St. Louis London (Ashcroft Technology Academy) Helen is looking forward to immersing herself into a new cultural experience: a chance to live and study in the United States. Not only will she widen her horizons academically, but gaining a new perspective on life on the other side of the Atlantic is an invaluable experience – particularly for someone who is passionate about international relations. Helen has never been one to sit still or stay quiet for long; her proactive and can-do attitude has led her to establish a positive, prominent presence in both her school and local community, including her roles as a homework mentor for refugee children, house captain, and head student. Helen can barely wait to be a university student and take Washington University up on the plethora of opportunities it has to offer, as well as making friends from various walks of life. Helen can think of no place other than America where her wide-ranging interests including music, politics, and Spanish, would be appreciated and facilitated.
Lola Wheeler - Princeton University Gravesend, South East England (Dartford Grammar School) Lola studied the International Baccalaureate. She is a passionate athlete, playing netball for England U19s and previously being competitive nationally in cross country and triathlon. She was initially drawn to US study by the investment in sports, but after investigating the educational system, the opportunity to study liberal arts alongside engineering appealed to her. Having been a Senior Prefect at school and taking part in multiple science societies, the more holistic approach to education in the US attracted Lola. She is most excited to meet other international students, to have the possibility to study abroad and experience the general US college life
Daniel Wilcox - Union College Southport, North West England (Runshaw College) Daniel Wilcox was born and raised in Southport and is the first in his extended family to attend university. He attended a college outside of Southport, studying politics, maths and history, and is eager to expand his knowledge of the world by experiencing what it has to offer. Daniel is also working towards promotion in his local McDonalds restaurant, as well as working towards his Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award. He has been looking at US university for many years, after speaking to his careers advisor about opportunities abroad, with the Sutton Trust making it a more realistic prospect. The US education system is a great fit for Daniel, as he can't wait to take advantage of the broad education available, with the ability to take multiple majors. As well, Daniel is looking forward to taking part in the wide range of extracurriculars that US universities offer, leading on from his participation in debate clubs and student council, as well as being head boy and senior prefect.
Meredith Winter - Minerva Schools at KGI Bristol, South West England (St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School) Meredith comes from a small village outside of Bristol. She loves the active and engaged Bristol community, and is a highly active volunteer at the Palestinian Museum and Cultural Centre. Working there has inspired her to pursue a career in diplomacy and international relations. She is really excited about the amazing internship opportunities and extracurricular side of US university.
