NewVIc Honours Programme student, Dorota, has been offered a place at Imperial College London, University College London, King’s College London and Queen Mary University London after strong competition from other students.

NewVIc student Dorota has received offers to study Biochemistry at Imperial College London; Biochemical Engineering at University College London; Biochemistry at King’s College London and Biochemistry at Queen Mary University London. She is predicted to achieve grades of A*A*A* in the summer. Dorota is the first child in her family to be heading to one of the top Russell Group universities in the UK whilst her family is still back in Poland. She has three younger sisters who see her as a good role model.

Dorota is in her final year studying A Levels in Biology, Chemistry and Maths. She arrived from Poland and joined the college on the Progress to Advanced Programme. She’s involved in the Here Come the Girls Ambassador with the Sports Academy and also enrolled on the college’s Honours Programme for gifted and talented students. The Honours Programme at NewVIc aims to support students with high academic potential from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, by inspiring and engaging them in challenging topics often only taught in private schools.

Whilst on the Honours Programme, Dorota took part in the British Biology Olympiad Programme which was a challenging but very beneficial experience for her. She completed a course on Future-learn by the University of East Anglia, focusing on current issues regarding combating antimicrobial resistance.

Dorota also took part in the Brilliant Club programme (a university-like experience) where she studied and wrote an essay about ‘The Biopsychosocial model affects adolescents’ mental health’, in which she achieved a 1st grade! She explored how the biological, psychological and socio-environmental factors interconnect in depression development, subsequently, critically evaluating evidence-based treatment for the disorder.

Dorota’s enjoyment of the variety of programmes that have been offered to her have inspired her to pursue studying biochemistry with the universities that have made her offers. She has done extensive research from what she has learnt on these programmes, she is hoping that more people will pay attention to how they use antibiotics and care even more about good hygiene. The COVID restrictions may now be eased but it’s not only coronavirus that she wants the public to stop spreading, it’s all other kinds of infections and diseases.

Dorota, Honours and A Level student, said:

“I could not be more happy and grateful for all the support I received from my teachers, and Vice Principal, Magdalena Johnson who was an amazing help throughout the whole process. Thanks to Magdalena I also applied to Oxford University, even though I was doubtful. I was shortlisted for the Oxford interview. It was very stressful, but a beneficial and rewarding experience, even though I did not end up getting an offer from them. I am very fortunate to have been given four London university offers, all of which are Russell Group universities.

My parents and younger siblings still live in Poland, and they are all extremely proud of me and my achievements so far. They have always been very supportive even though they were a little worried when I was moving to London.

My peers have been showing support and a positive attitude. Every time I told them about my new offers they were genuinely congratulating me and it felt very nice. I am glad that we can all be happy for each other and I can’t wait to soon meet my friends from NewVIc at the same university. I did extensive research on current biochemical studies which included watching videos and reading scientific articles, and attended seminars organised by Oxford University where current students were sharing their experiences and valuable advice. I was also having mock interviews with Karen, Carina and Magdalena, which were extremely helpful as I learnt how to handle the stress and what to do when you are not too sure about the answer. All of these experiences have been a huge help. I am so grateful for all the opportunities and the support from everyone.”

Magdalena Johnson, Vice Principal Student Achievement and Progress, added:

“Dorota is an exceptional student and deserves to be accepted by so many top Russell Group universities. This highlights her dedication to her studies and doing so well so far and aspiring to do even better at university. Year on year, many NewVIc students’ progress onto Higher Education to study in the fast-paced and competitive industry of biochemistry. The Honours Programme that Dorota is on, works in partnership with many universities like Oxford and Cambridge, some bespoke and only available at NewVIc. The programme provides specialist guidance and tailored curriculum support to make applications stand out from the rest, breaking down what students can expect at their interviews, and how they can best prepare for them. We are so proud of Dorota and look forward to her future achievements.”

Find out more about the NewVIc Honours Programme here https://www.newvic.ac.uk/honours-programme