Five Carmel students get offers to study at Oxbridge universities

Students Joe Stead, Zilin Wu, Rebecca Rylands, Gursharan Singh and David Cuesta-Moreta have all received offers to study at Oxford or Cambridge Universities this September.

A spokesperson from Carmel College, said: "We are so proud of our Oxbridge offer holders! To receive an offer to study at Oxford and Cambridge is an amazing achievement. 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."

The programme is delivered by specialist High Achievers+ Co-ordinators, and provides activities, events and support throughout the year.

Joe Stead, who has been offered a place to study Law at Gonville and Caius College at University of Cambridge is currently studying A-Level History, Law and Politics.

He said: "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 who has an offer to also study Law at University of Cambridge, at Christ’s College, currently studies A-Level History, English Literature and Psychology.

Zilin said: “When I received the offer, I felt a mixture of complete disbelief and excitement, and I still feel a similar way now.

"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.”

Rebecca Rylands, who has an offer to study History at Jesus College at University of Cambridge. Rebecca studies A-Levels in History, English Literature and French.

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 is set to study Classics at Newnam College, University of Cambridge and is studying A-Level Philosophy, Ethics & Religion, English Literature and Politics.

She said: "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 is set to study Chemistry at Lady Margaret Hall at University of Oxford. David studies A-Level Chemistry, Maths and Physics.

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.”

Head of High Achievers+, Dan Saunders, 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.