Perse School Cambridge review by University of Oxford student.
The Perse is a rigorous academic training college for entrance to top-level academic universities. This can be both good and bad. On the one hand, it delivers the goods, particularly for sciences; Oxbridge entry statistics are amongst the best in the country. On the other hand, this is a high-pressured and somewhat narrow environment, and pupils can become rather left behind or worse, spoon-fed for exam performance. But these are problems at all elite schools, and the Perse makes up for them particularly well. First, while the emphasis of the school is undoubtedly on science, a number of superb teachers in the humanities, especially at sixth form level, mean every pupil has access to intellectual stimulation above and beyond both their subject and the curriculum. (Scientists are particularly encouraged to take at least one humanity or social science.) Secondly, the school has a very strong, if somewhat specialised, ethos in sport. It is the best school in the country for hockey, famously having a former Olympian as a hockey coach. The public school tradition of a heavy focus on games complements, without coming close to rivalling, the academic rigour of the institution. Average weekly workload varies with the pupil; usually half an hour a day in homework. Class sizes are small and this is an immense advantage: six or seven are common in sixth form humanities and it can often be a lot less. Teachers are usually very high academic achievers themselves and provide an eminently useful personal link to Oxbridge and other elite universities; they are approachable and the best have wide interest and enthusiasm for intellectual pursuits beyond the curriculum of their subject. This was useful preparation for studying a humanities at Oxford- small teaching groups, intense discussion and grappling with the foundations of the subject are all familiar to any inquiring or intelligent pupil at the Perse. Those who are not suited for that, however, will find much to keep them occupied in the facilities for sport.
This is mostly done informally, advisers are personal tutors and advice is given with genuine.... Get the real inside story on college counseling at Perse School Cambridge as experienced by former pupil and University of Oxford student — Login or Sign Up to access full review
Sample insights on college counseling
They have contacts at most of the major universities and feel perfectly comfortable picking up the phone and advocating for a student to get accepted somewhere they feel is a good fit for that student. However, these counselors are certainly not magic bullets. They cannot guarantee that a student will get into an Ivy League university...
For those wishing to move on to Oxford or Cambridge, the provision is second-to-none. In the months running up to application and interview, every subject faculty offers classes (often run by former Oxbridge tutors) exploring further areas of their subject as well as offering advice on personal statements, interview technique and more...
I am uninformed about the admissions process since I entered the school at 13.... Get in-depth insights and personal advice on admissions to Perse School Cambridge by former pupil and University of Oxford student — Login or Sign Up to access full review
Sample insights on admissions
For the interview, dress conservatively. Try to be very clean and put together. Also, I was a tour guide for two years and at the end of every tour, we were asked to evaluate the candidate so if you think the tour is not apart of the process, you are very wrong. Ask questions and be interested. Also, tip for the parents: the kids speak on the tour. Do not ask their questions for them...
Most younger siblings have an easy time in the admissions process. I can only think of one case of a younger sibling not being admitted. About half of the students who entered with me had come from public schools. The remainder came from private K-6 schools, or had transferred from other New York private schools The Elizabeth Morrow School and St. Bernard were two of the larger feeder schools...
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