• Question: What are some things that you did in high school to demonstrate to universities that you have an interest in science?

    Asked by anon-270115 on 17 Nov 2020.
    • Photo: Gemma Chew

      Gemma Chew answered on 17 Nov 2020:

      I did a work experience placement at AstraZeneca. It really helped me understand what it is like in a real life laboratory.

    • Photo: Kirsty Lindsay

      Kirsty Lindsay answered on 17 Nov 2020:

      I did science days when they were offered, so we visited a university lab.

    • Photo: Joanna Giles

      Joanna Giles answered on 18 Nov 2020:

      I attended a summer school in year 12, the one I attended was a Sutton Trust Summer school. It was great because it gave me a week to test out the course I was interested in, and showed how much I wanted to study science.

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      I also persuaded my head master to run a jeans for Genes day, which he agreed to if I gave a school assembly on what genetic disorders are. I don’t know how I managed to get my 6th former friends to do it with me, but we did that too. The school still runs the Jeans for Genes days now 🙂

      I also subscribed to the New Scientist magazine and tried to read a few popular science books. I would recommend: the immortal life of Henrietta Lacks. The book describes where we got our first cell lines from a lady, without her knowledge and are still used today in Medical research.

      Good luck! And good question, be as proactive as you can:)

    • Photo: Nooshin Ghavami

      Nooshin Ghavami answered on 18 Nov 2020:

      I did some mentoring for the students in classes below me when I was in A level.

    • Photo: Catherine Ross

      Catherine Ross answered on 18 Nov 2020:

      I joined my science club and when I was in final year I was the organiser of the science club, I think universities like to see students do things outside of normal school to improve things for others. I also talked to lots of scientists so I had a real understanding of the types of jobs that you could use science for, so that demonstrated that I had a real interest in science.

    • Photo: Christopher Marriott

      Christopher Marriott answered on 18 Nov 2020:

      I did some lunchtime mentoring alongside my chemistry teachers once a week, as well as taking part in the UK Chemistry Olympiad (https://edu.rsc.org/enrichment/uk-chemistry-olympiad). I also did some work experience with a local chemistry plant. It’s worth talking to your school and your chemistry department to see what help they can give you, your teachers might have contacts who can give you some worthwhile experiences.

    • Photo: Louise Topping

      Louise Topping answered on 19 Nov 2020:

      I tried really hard to get a placement somewhere during my AS levels, but unfortunately, I didn’t know anyone who worked in a lab or hospital and when I contacted places I often got ignored 🙁 instead, I attended events that were science-based and tried to get involved in as much extra-curricular science activity as I could at school. Taking part in events like I’m a Scientist would definitely count as demonstrating your interest in science 🙂

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