87th issue
November 2020
In this issue:
- Virtual school visits programme January – April 2021
- Two Harvard applicants arrange a Q & A session about life on campus
- Further Q & A sessions for Harvard applicants during November and December
- Sutton Trust US Programme 2021
Virtual School Visits Programme January – April 2021
Want to learn more about Harvard and American-style higher education? Then invite us to give a remote presentation at your school!
Each year the Harvard Outreach Team visits 25-30 schools across the UK to talk about Harvard and the American university system. During the coronavirus pandemic we have re-structured the presentation to make it suitable to be given remotely using one of the meeting platforms commonly used in schools, such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams or Google Meet.
The session is entitled: Study in the USA – Is it for you? and lasts for a total of one hour, made up of a 40 minute presentation followed by 20 minutes for questions using the ‘chat box’ facility. It is aimed at students who are thinking of applying to Harvard and other US colleges either next year or the year after, but would like further information before making up their minds. Parents, teachers and university advisers are also welcome to attend.
Target institutions are state-funded schools and colleges that regularly send their students to Russell Group universities in the UK, but do not have a history of applying to American colleges.
To request a visit, simply send an email to outreach co-ordinator Stuart Gordon s.gordon@post.harvard.edu
We look forward to meeting you (albeit remotely) in the New Year.
Two Harvard applicants arrange a Q & A session about life on campus
Katie Burns and Rebecca Scallan, who are in their final year at Aquinas Diocesan Grammar School, Belfast, attended one of our last live school presentations before the lockdown last February. Katie said that the talk “…really encouraged me to pursue the opportunities available in US higher education.” She and her friend Rebecca both decided to apply to Harvard and several other US and UK universities. In September, after attending the US/UK Fulbright Commission’s Virtual USA College Day, they wrote to outreach co-ordinator Stuart Gordon to see if they could ask some additional questions about Harvard before completing their applications.
During the Zoom conversation that followed (see screenshot) they discussed a number of topics including life on campus, academic concentrations and electives, sport (they both play rugby and netball), and standardised tests. Afterwards, Rebecca said that the Q & A session “…really helped a lot with understanding admission and getting a taste of what to expect on campus.”
The Harvard Club of the UK is offering similar Q & A sessions during November and December for students who are applying to Harvard by the ‘regular action’ deadline of 1st January, and would like the opportunity to ask further questions before submitting their applications. Further details in the next section.
Stuart Gordon (UK outreach co-ordinator) answers questions from Harvard applicants Katie Burns and Rebecca Scallan
Photos © Harvard Club of the UK 2020
Harvard Club of the UK offers Q & A sessions for Harvard applicants during November and December
Are you putting the final touches to your Harvard application to submit by 1st January? Do you have any outstanding questions about life on campus you would like to put to a Harvard graduate or current student? Then why not book a Zoom meeting with us? We would love to help you!
To be eligible, you must have attended one of our school presentations in the last two years (either live or remotely), and be applying to Harvard this year before the ‘regular action’ deadline of 1st January. To book a meeting, please send an email to outreach co-ordinator Stuart Gordon s.gordon@post.harvard.
We have two friendly and knowledgeable volunteers waiting to answer your questions:
Hannah Phillips, from Glasgow, who graduated from Harvard in 2015
Photo © Harvard Club of the UK 2020
Thomas Burr, from Cardiff, who is in his final year at Harvard
Photo © Harvard Club of the UK 2020
Sutton Trust US Programme 2021 – apply now!
Applications are now open for the Sutton Trust US Programme 2021. The programme is designed to support high achieving state school students to explore US study and access leading universities. It includes two virtual residentials in the UK before all students spend a week in the US staying on campus* at a leading university and visiting a variety of other US universities. An optional second year of the programme supports students to apply to US universities alongside their UCAS options.
* Assuming COVID-19 is behind us, campuses are back to normal and it is safe to travel. If not, the US week will also be delivered in a virtual format.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to explore what studying in the US is like. Successful applicants will get a taste of US culture and higher education first hand and receive support from expert advisers if they decide to apply for their undergraduate studies at an American university. Better still, it’s free!! The Sutton Trust will cover all programme costs, including travel, residential events, accommodation and food.
The programme includes:
- A week-long visit to the States in July / August 2021 where students will get a taste of US higher education and culture (assuming there are no COVID-19 restrictions and it is safe to travel).
- UK based residentials in April and June 2021 to receive comprehensive admissions advice from experts (which will be delivered virtually in 2021).
- Support from a dedicated team of knowledgeable advisers throughout the process of applying for admissions and financial aid.
- In-depth admissions test preparation
- Guidance for parents and teachers
- The chance to make friends with other young people from across the UK.
To be eligible to apply, you must:
- Currently be in Year 12 in England or Wales, S5 in Scotland or Year 13 in Northern Ireland
- Attend, and have always attended, a state-funded school or college in the UK (i.e. non-fee paying)
- Not hold US citizenship
- Be from a low income family (generally, this will mean a household earning £45,000 per year or less)
- Be interested in US culture and higher education
In addition, the Sutton Trust are looking for students who:
- Would be the first generation of their family to attend university
- Have been eligible for free school meals
- Attend a school or college with a below average A Level or Higher point score and/or a low rate of progression into higher education
- Live in a neighbourhood with a low rate of progression into higher education and/or a high level of socio-economic deprivation
- Have excellent GCSE or S4 qualifications. This means you have achieved at or close to the grades below. In England and Northern Ireland: at least eight GCSEs at grade A or 7 or above, or near this level. In Wales: at least eight GCSEs at grade A or above, or near this level. In Scotland: at least six B passes at National 5 or above, or near this level
The more of these you meet, the more likely you are to get a place on the programme
Students will be selected based on similar criteria to those used by US universities:
- Academic performance and potential
- Extracurricular involvement, including school and community activities, work experience, paid work, sports and music performance, volunteering, caring responsibilities and other interests (accepting that many of these activities will have been curtailed during the coronavirus pandemic)
- Character: leadership, service, work ethic, enthusiasm, drive to succeed
- Demonstrated interest in US higher education
Applications: Students should apply online here:
Student Application Deadline: 11.59pm, Sunday 17 January 2021
School Reference Deadline: 11.59pm, Thursday 21 January 2021
Teachers providing references should read the Sutton Trust’ s information for school referees.
The Sutton Trust also provides information for parents.
To see the most current list, you must begin the registration process for the ACT by clicking on ‘MyACT’ when you reach the landing page.
