Emilia Ames Interview

  • 8 years ago
  • Uncategorized
  • 1

IMG_4571Well done to Emilia Ames, Head Scholar at Godolphin School, for securing a place at the University of Cambridge! Miss Ames was happy to answer a couple of questions upon learning of her success:

Firstly, congratulations on your acceptance to Cambridge University! How would you describe your reaction to receiving an offer?

I was overjoyed, and also surprised that they only asked for AAAA, which is lower than the usual Cambridge offer of A*A*A. That takes some of the pressure off me for my exams in the summer.

Why did you apply to Cambridge? Which college did you choose and why?

I applied to Cambridge because it is a very highly respected university but mainly because I liked the sound of the course and the teaching methods. I also felt at home there on the occasions I visited, first with school, then for a Women in Science Festival in September, and with my parents to look around. I chose Robinson College because we stayed there when we visited Cambridge with school and it just felt right.

What are you currently studying at Godolphin?

I am currently studying A-Levels in Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Further Maths and Latin. I also take piano and singing lessons.

What will you be studying at university, and why?

I will be studying Natural Sciences, which is a flexible degree course encompassing multiple sciences. I will be doing Physical Natural Sciences, meaning Chemistry, Physics etc., as well as maths. I chose this degree because I love both Physics and Chemistry, and I’m not sure which I want to specialise in, so I wanted a course which allowed me to do both, before making a decision at a later stage.

Were there any particularly challenging or unexpected questions at the interview?

I really enjoyed the interview. I had two interviews and a 1 hour written test. The interviews were like a conversation about topics from Chemistry and Physics, with me talking through as much as I could of the theory with prompting from the interviewers when I needed it, similar to the small group teaching sessions which Cambridge (and Oxford) have in addition to lectures and seminars. I found it challenging at times but very enjoyable, further confirming my feeling that I would enjoy a Cambridge education. The written test was also fun, with a mixture of puzzle-like questions and more ‘normal’ questions on Chemistry, Physics and Maths.

Outside of the classroom, what is your favourite hobby or past-time?

As well as my singing and piano playing, I love watching science-fiction series like Doctor Who and Star Trek, and detective series such as Sherlock. I like reading, especially detective stories (Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie in particular), and I love solving puzzles like Sudoku.

What is your proudest achievement to date?

Other than getting a place at Cambridge, I am particularly proud of my certificates for the various Maths Challenges I’ve done throughout my time at Godolphin and the Cambridge Chemistry Challenge I did last year.

If you could choose any career, what would it be?

I’m not sure what I want to do after university, possibly something in scientific research. My uncertainty over what to do with my life is one of the factors in my decision to study a broad-based degree course.

You have a very exciting few years ahead of you! However, what do you think you will miss when you look back on your time at Godolphin?

I’ve loved my time at Godolphin, and it feels odd to think that I’ve got less than six months left. A particular highlight is the Science Quiz, and I’ll miss all the people who make up the Godolphin community. I’ll definitely have to come back and visit.

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