All Saints Catholic School York

"All Saints was enormously helpful throughout my university application process. The main reason for this was the quality of the teachers, who were amazing, and crucial in getting me the grades I needed."

I was applying to Oxford, and they were
really helpful with that too - the school
arranged workshops and events with
university representatives, covering
everything from the ins and outs of the
application process to interview technique,
and some teachers even did mock
interviews with me. During the process,
my teachers read multiple versions of my
personal statement and gave valuable and
detailed feedback until we felt it was just
right. Because the deadline for Oxbridge
applications is mid-October this all had to
be done very quickly, and it was a massive
bonus having teachers who were organised
and understood the process.

Before I went to university I wanted to get
a job in journalism or foreign affairs after
graduation. Since arriving, however, I've really
started to enjoy my subject - Philosophy -
and my current plan is to stay on at Oxford
and eventually go into research.

"There's no doubt that All Saints is one of the warmest - and most eccentric - sixth forms around, but it also has a great academic record, which is one of the reasons why I chose to take my A Levels there."

For anyone that wants to go on to study
at university, and in particular if you aspire
to study at Oxbridge, All Saints is a great
choice from my experience. Not only were
all the staff diligent, there is a dedicated
Oxbridge officer who gave me one-to-one
advice on my personal statement.

Throughout the drafting process, I had
several mock interviews with knowledgeable
members of staff prior to admissions. The
sixth form's history of sending students to
Oxbridge meant that the school had ties
with several retired academics and current
students who were invaluable during the
nervy applications period.

I genuinely believe I wouldn't be where I am
without the support I was given. Currently,
I'm in my second year studying Human
Social and Political Sciences (basically
Politics for me) at Cambridge which has
been an intense but rewarding experience. I
don't know exactly what I want to do in the
future yet but, I suppose I'll find out soon
enough!

"The support and guidance I received from All Saints with my medical application was unmatched. I went into it completely clueless about what to expect but was guided every step of the way."

From the very start of year 12 we were
made aware of any super-curriculars, work
experience and volunteering opportunities that
would boost the application whenever they
would become available. I remember receiving
UCAT advice from successful applicants as
well as interview training organised by the
school that proved invaluable on the day. The
school is well-experienced in getting people
into medicine and so you will meet former
medical applicants, people who have been in
the same place as you, who are more than
happy to offer their advice and support where
they can. Because of how knowledgeable
so many staff at All Saints are about the
medical application, I also received advice on
where to apply based on my UCAT score and
my predicted grades; it was all personalised.
The medical application can be extremely
daunting, but at All Saints there is no part of it
you ever have to do alone.

I am now a medical student at the University
of Edinburgh (a phrase that a few years ago
I could only dream of saying) and I am so
grateful for all the support I received from All
Saints in every aspect of my application.