Lucie Forrest progressed onto the University of Oxford to study Biology. Lucie achieved an A* in A Level Biology at Cronton, which she studied alongside Chemistry and Psychology A Level, as well as the Tomorrow’s Scientists Programme and an EPQ (Extended Project Qualification).
Lucie said, “Attending the University of Oxford has been a personal dream of mine, ever since I had visited at the age of six, and watched the students in their gowns, heading towards their exams. I had stood by the gates of All Souls college and announced proudly to my parents that I was ‘going to Oxford.”
“In the years to come, I’d face numerous challenges to my education, developing a debilitating chronic illness and struggling with my mental health. Despite this, one passion of mine remained constant: I wanted to go to Oxford. While at points of my journey, this dream felt completely unachievable, through a combination of hard work and support from Cronton Sixth Form College, I was able to secure my place at the university.”
“During my time at Cronton, I attended the Tomorrow’s Scientists Programme and completed an EPQ, both of which were important talking points for my application. Specifically, in an interview with Oxford, I was asked about my EPQ. This enabled me to talk about a subject which I was well versed in, at length, which I feel contributed to my acquisition of an offer from the university.”
“At Cronton, I was offered support with the many rewritings of my personal statement, and in the form of mock interviews (both general and subject specific) to ensure that I was sufficently prepared for my interview with Oxford. I was also supported throughout times of stress and my exams, through weekly meetings with the Head of A-levels. This helped me to meet the conditions of my offer to attend oxford.”
“My favourite thing about college was the environment, I found college to be nurturing and encouraging of any potential success, not just in myself, but in my peers also.”
“If I were to give any advice to new students at Cronton, I would tell them to make the most of their time here. It’s important to be able to enjoy the time that you have in sixth form, while seizing as many opportunities as possible.”