Students from schools in Lambeth find out about university from St John’s undergraduates

A group of 70 bright, young pupils from schools in the London Borough of Lambeth have visited St John’s College, Cambridge, to find out from current undergraduates what studying at the University of Cambridge is really like.

While at the College the students attended university-style academic sessions on themes ranging from polymers to fortune telling in the Middle East and from diagnostic medicine to empire and power.

Fawzia Gouather, a year 10 student at Saint Gabriel’s College in Camberwell said: “I chose the science lecture because I want to be a surgeon in the future.  Today has helped me to see what areas of science I am most interested in and the steps I need to take to reach my goals.”

Michael Ha, a fifth-year medical student at St John’s who regularly volunteers as a helper during school visits, gave the science talk on how to build a diagnostic machine for eye conditions – a project he worked on during a placement at Columbia University in the US.

Michael said: ““I am passionate about working with school groups as where I’m from going to somewhere like Cambridge was unheard of and when I was thinking about applying I had lots of people telling me I shouldn’t bother. I believe that bright, young people just need somebody to tell them that getting into university is possible. So, if I can help to raise the aspirations of even just one or two students then it’s worth it”

Pupils from the Lambeth schools had the opportunity to ask undergraduates who study subjects such as History, Engineering and Medicine, about why they chose their subjects, why they decided to apply to St John’s and how university life is different to school.  The group also received advice on how to make a competitive application to a highly-selective university.

During the day there were additional sessions that addressed important questions such as what A-Level choices to make, how students can afford university and the range of financial support available at St John’s for students who need it.  The group also experienced the College first hand with a tour of the grounds and facilities, including lecture halls and sports grounds.

St John’s has a particular connection with schools in Lambeth through the University of Cambridge’s Area Links Scheme. 

Each of the 31 Colleges that make up the University have designated Area Links, which together allow them to build relationships with state schools and Colleges around the UK.  The scheme gives schools a personal contact point with the University, through which they can get advice and guidance about applications and feed back local perspectives on how to make Cambridge as accessible as possible to students who have the potential to thrive there.

The students came from schools including Platanos College, Dunravan School and Lambeth Academy, and, for some of the pupils, the visit was the second schools event they have been to at St John’s. The students will have further opportunities to get to know the College, ask questions, and receive advice and guidance before the time comes for university applications in year 13.

Any school in Lambeth that wants to find out more about upcoming events at St John’s College for pupils in years 9 to 12, visit: http://www.joh.cam.ac.uk/applying

For more information about applying to St John’s and Cambridge in general, please visit http://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/applying.