Did you take A levels or IB? Why? 
I chose to do A levels in Biology, Maths and Spanish because I wanted to focus on the subjects that I was really interested in. I also realised that I preferred the sciences to subjects with lots of essay writing, and A levels allowed me to choose subjects that suited my interests, although I still did an EPQ.

Why did you choose UCL? What factors influenced your decision to accept it, and what stood out about the university?
One area that was key in my choice was the university’s association with a nearby hospital. UCL works closely with the University College Hospital, where students can participate in research projects with people working in the hospital and work on engineering challenges based on real clinical needs. Another aspect that stood out to me was the fact that UCL conducts groundbreaking scientific and medical research. This was important to me as my degree is a rapidly developing field which I aspire to contribute to. Part of my decision was also due to the history and location of the university. I wanted to study in a city environment, and I decided to aim for London because I have friends and family nearby.

Why did you choose to pursue Biomedical engineering, and what interests you most about the subject?
I initially discovered biomedical engineering through an online introductory course and was fascinated as it combined two areas I was most interested in throughout my time at school. Biology has always been one of my favourite subjects, and I knew I wanted to pursue design and engineering since I was in Junior School. Through the introductory course, I learned about the main areas of the subject and was astounded by how vast the applications of the field are. The part of biomedical engineering that I am most interested in is tissue engineering: the idea that we can design synthetic organs or tissues that can be used in healthcare to cure a disease or fix an injury. Previously, I thought this sort of technology was purely fictional, but seeing how it was developing into a very promising alternative to an inefficient system really inspired me. I researched this area of biomedical engineering for my EPQ, specifically on the use of 3D printed organs and the impact they could have on organ transplantation.

What surprised you most during the university application process? If you could give one piece of advice to students currently applying to universities, what would it be?
I was surprised by how busy the first term of Year 13 was. There was so much to think about, whether it’s writing my personal statement, doing my EPQ, researching universities, or continuing to manage schoolwork. Choosing which universities to apply to was a challenge, as there is so much variety between universities, even when it comes to the content of the same course. The whole process of applying to university was quite surreal too, as it feels like such a big step up from school, and the feeling of submitting your application and receiving offers was gratifying. Some advice I would give to the students currently applying is to really work hard on your personal statements. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or feedback from your university counsellor and just keep on trying to improve it.  

What are you most looking forward to about university life?
I’m both excited and nervous for the independence that comes with becoming a university student. I’m looking forward to living in London and meeting lots of new people, whether through my halls, my course, or playing sports. I want to try out lots of new things through the clubs and societies at university too.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
It’s hard to say where I will be, as biomedical engineering is such a broad area with so much potential for growth and development that the area I end up specialising in could be very different to what I’m interested in now. There is so much still to learn, and I am excited to see what the future brings. However, I hope I will be working in an area that I am passionate about and developing cutting-edge technologies that can be used to help people.