Carr Hill student Elise Hall has been celebrating alongside her teachers, family and friends this week, having been offered a place to study Chemistry at Oxford University.
Elise, 18, who dreams of working for NASA and winning a Nobel Prize for Chemistry, said that receiving her acceptance letter from Oxford University was the best day of her life.
As the first to attend University in her family it was a big moment for the Halls. Elise said: “My stepdad came home to find the letter had arrived. He called my mum and we all met at school to open it. I only read the first line and then started screaming as I knew what the rest was going to say. My step dad never cries or gets emotional but he admitted to shedding a tear when I got the offer.”
Having started at Carr Hill as a year seven student in 2007, Elise did not enjoy Chemistry at first and wanted a career in education. However, Elise credits her teachers Alex Jordinson and Claire Smith for bringing out, and encouraging, her natural ability for Chemistry and changing her opinion on the subject.
Elise wrote personal statements, attended a week long course at the university and three interviews before being offered a place, which is on the condition she achieves one A* and two As in her A Levels this summer.
Elise said: “At Oxford the tutors are really interested in your passion for the subject. I made that the focus in my interviews and ensured that I always showed an enthusiasm and a desire to learn more about Chemistry.”
The A* student had not considered applying for Oxford University until the Head of Sixth Form, Paul Wallace suggested it. Mr Wallace, who retires this year after 27 years at Carr Hill, said he had always wanted to help a student get into Oxford University.
Paul said: “This is a fabulous achievement for Elise and is a reflection of the hard work she has put in during her time at Carr Hill. It also demonstrates the passion of Carr Hill’s staff to encourage students to fulfil their ambitions and work towards their goals, whatever they may be.”
Elise needs to succeed in achieving her required grades in Maths, Biology and Chemistry but is confident and looking forward to her future. She said: “Of course I am nervous about moving away to a new city but I am excited too. When I visited Oxford University I felt like it was my second home.”
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