At WGS we are incredibly proud of our alumni and the paths they take after leaving school. Former pupil, Theo, has kindly shared his journey to university, reflecting honestly on resilience, determination and the importance of seeking support along the way after receiving an unconditional offer from the University of Cambridge.
“After immersing myself into the theory behind architecture and the true ‘why’ behind why we build, I knew Cambridge was the place where I could explore my passion further. I had some incredible discussions with teachers over my portfolio and my personal statement, mock interviews and advice on how to prepare.
And I didn’t get in.
It took months to consider reapplying, but after facing rejection from my other dream university, UCL, and some much needed advice from my parents, I decided on a gap year after results day.
What really surprised me though was just how much support I continued to receive from WGS after leaving Upper Sixth; regular personal statement meetings and reviews with Mrs Bradley, near endless advice from my art teachers about my new portfolio, and some very thorough mock interviews. My interest in my subject had of course grown, and my approach to preparation had changed, but the advice from my teachers at WGS was invaluable.
Now, after being accepted into both Cambridge and UCL, as well as a handful of other schools, my best advice is the following:
Know your subject and what sets you apart from everyone else; know why each university is the right fit for you; and arguably the most important, your teachers are an invaluable resource, so don’t hesitate to ask for their help.
Good luck to all pupils applying to university, Oxbridge, or apprenticeships in the coming months, and congratulations to all offer holders. And of course, thank you so much to all my teachers who helped me through the UCAS process – both times around.”