Sixteen Harrodians with aspirations of studying at Oxford took an inspiring taster tour of the city and several of its colleges on a trip to the university in mid-November.
The visit which was led by Head of Sixth Form, Mr Behan and Maths teacher and UCAS Co-ordinator, Ms White, began at Balliol where the group enjoyed a tour of the college, its library and Junior Common Room, an introduction to the application process and lunch in the ancient and spectacular dining room.
After lunch they took a walking tour of the City, stopping off at other colleges like Exeter and Somerville (as well as Mr Behan's old college - Hertford!) and taking in city landmarks including the Radcliffe camera, Maths institute, the Engineering and Science buildings, the Pitt Rivers Museum, and the Bodleian Library.
Along the way, the group hooked up with five Old Harrodians who are all current undergraduates and post-graduates at assorted Oxford colleges: Louis Hodge (studying Philosophy and Spanish at Worcester), Geronimo Hayaux Du Tilly (Archaeology and Anthropology, St Hugh’s ), Sonya Luchanskaya (Biochemisty, Exeter College), Freddie Bowyer (studying Engineering at St Peter's) and Nara-May Rishani (studying Law at Pembroke).
I liked being accompanied by ex-Harrodians and hearing about their personal experiences, knowing that they have been in our shoes. It was a very valuable insight into the reality of studying in a place of such academic calibre.
James W, Lower Sixth student
These five alumni shared insights into the character and atmosphere of their particular colleges and answered questions about studying, socialising and all sorts of other aspects of life in the 'City of Dreaming Spires’.
"I liked being accompanied by ex-Harrodians and hearing about their personal experiences, knowing that they have been in our shoes. It was a very valuable insight into the reality of studying in a place of such academic calibre. Getting into a big-shot university like Oxford felt really achievable, especially seeing so many former Harrodians who are now studying there and reading such a wide variety of subjects too, from Engineering to Law."
Scarlett is also effusive about the trip and picks out the tour of Balliol as her personal highlight, describing the college as both 'inviting' and 'impressive.' 'We learnt about the endless possibilities that Oxford offers,' she says. 'I was intrigued to find out about the tutorials you have with professors, about the university's history, architecture and unique college system and to hear about all the sport that you can do at the university. From netball and rowing to some more obscure clubs like quidditch!'
We learnt about the endless possibilities that Oxford offers.
Scarlett PS, Lower Sixth Form student