Simla

Simla is an aspiring medic, Oxbridge candidate and first year student studying A Levels in Biology, Chemistry, Maths and an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). She has recently secured a place on a sought after Cambridge University summer school. She arrived from Sri Lanka and joined the college on our Progress to Advanced Programme. We caught up with Simla to find out a little more about her journey so far.

What made you choose NewVIc?

My journey was quite different and it all happened very suddenly. I never thought in my life I would move to the UK from Sri Lanka, let alone meet and be supported by so many lovely people to get to where I am now, I could not be happier. I wanted to complete my GCSEs in order to start A levels to study medicine at university. NewVIc has opened a very big door with lots of amazing opportunities that I will need for the rest of my life.

How have you found sixth form so far?

I didn't know anything about how the education system works in the UK but one thing I knew for sure was that I always wanted to do something in medicine. My parents and siblings are very excited for me and proud that I am pursuing medicine. They have always been supportive and motivating me to carry on and get to my final destination. NewVIc has also become a part of my family, inspiring me, encouraging and supporting me to thrive. I am so grateful to everyone.

One thing I have found so far is it’s really rare to find teachers and individuals who are so invested in their students. They make sure that they follow up with us to see how we are doing. I am truly, truly grateful for my experiences at Newvic so far

My greatest support are my teachers Karen, Carina, Jo, Magdalena, Asha, Ore and Semra. They are helping me in supporting my applications to Cambridge, King’s College, UCL and Queen Mary. I look forward to studying at a prestigious university, I know I have the support of the Honours Programme where Oxford University graduate and Honours Programme Manager Carina will run university application support, interactive workshops focusing on how to effectively tackle questions at interviews and share coherent arguments as we get closer to those deadlines. I know medicine is very competitive but I still have a strong determination to progress into this successfully with everyone’s support.

Tell us about some of the projects you have been involved in at the college?

I have been involved in many unique opportunities available to students at the college including the Scholars Programme with The Brilliant Club. I’ve won a place at a summer school during the Easter holidays with the Medic Portal costing £1,500 with a winning entry in a college competition. The Medic Portal, who are the official partner of Royal Society of Medicine provides students with an unprecedented insight into Medicine.

I have been awarded a University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) bursary from Medify who are the most trusted UCAT practice platform with 2 in 3 students preparing with Medify. I am writing blogs for their website every month. Researching different aspects of the application process to write blogs is helping to widen my knowledge.

I have also worked with Queen Mary University in a Chemistry Olympiad Project detecting muons at Cosmic Con. My hard work with my fellow students paid off as we found a positive relationship between atmospheric pressure and moun count and were awarded a bronze award by the university. I will now be going on the Cambridge University apply programme over the summer where I was selected out of hundreds of students that applied. I can’t thank my teachers who encouraged and gave me these opportunities.

Is there anything you wish you had known that you do now?

NewVIc has become a part of my family, inspiring me, encouraging and supporting me to thrive. I didn’t know how invested the teachers and support staff are to the students here.

Who is the most inspiring person you have ever met?

Every single teacher I met in the Science and Maths departments at NewVIc have inspired me. They are really friendly, kind, motivated, resourceful and innovative. Chemistry is one of my most favourite subjects. In chemistry we have the facility to do loads of experiments that help to improve our manual skills. The environment in the Science classrooms are inspiring to me; I really enjoying being there everyday.

I was recently given the opportunity to interview and have a discussion with NewVIc alumni Bibire who is now in her fourth year as a medical student at Plymouth University. She has inspired me and shared some invaluable insights of getting into a top university. It was great to learn and see that a NewVIc alumni student like Bibire is progressing to the same career path as myself, it’s very encouraging. You can watch the interview with Bibire here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ey0drlYjOvo&t=8s

What is your advice for students considering NewVIc?

Don’t let where you come from limit you. Certainly don’t forget where you came from, keep in mind that you are your own barrier. Through hard work, belief, determination and motivation you will you get somewhere. I believe I have the potential to get into medicine and make my parents proud of me, you can do it too.

So what’s next?

I am starting my UCAS application and hoping to get into Cambridge to study medicine. I am getting great support from the Vice Principal Magdalena along with my teachers so looking forward to seeing where my applications lead me to. Watch this space!