Pure Potential - Where will your talent take you?

About Us

1. What is Pure Potential?
2. Why do you exist?
3. What will all of this achieve?
4. How long have you been around for?
5. Who are the events for?
6. Are events all that you do?
7. I receive a full scholarship to a private school. Can I still apply?
8. I am not sure whether I want to go to university. Can I still apply for a place at one of the events?
9. Will the event cost me any money?
10. Why do all of these businesses want to sponsor your events?
11. Why is it so important to apply to university?
12. Isn't it a bit early to be thinking about all of this? Applying is months away!
13. How do I sign up?

1. What is Pure Potential?

   Pure Potential is an independent organisation that seeks to raise the aspirations of thousands of young people every year, encouraging them to apply to and helping them to achieve offers from excellent university courses and jobs. Our approach is efficient, ground-breaking, holistic and realistic, centering around large scale nationwide events every summer.

2. Why do you exist?

   Research has shown that students from private schools are nearly twice as likely to get a place at the UK's top universities as their state-educated counterparts. Universities are some of the most diverse institutions in the country with professors, lecturers, researchers and students from all types of background. Pure Potential believe this should be reflected in the applicants. The universities themselves are working on this, but there is still much to be done and we believe that we are the people to do it. Some students and their families still don't realise that their claim to a university place is as strong as anyone else's. We aim to change this mindset and help them fulfil their potential. What frustrates us is that there is sometimes a gap between talent and aspiration, and if you are bright enough to have the choice to attend most institutions, we will support and encourage your endeavours.

   Top

3. What will all of this achieve?

   Students will achieve more and fulfill their potential. Universities will benefit from a more diverse population of undergraduates, enhancing diversity and benefiting all. Businesses will also benefit from graduates from a wider range of backgrounds. Ultimately, the country will benefit both economically and creatively. We believe that student aspiration and good business go hand in hand and that is why it is right for businesses to provide a little extra investment to help nurture university applicants and thus help the country produce even better graduates.

   Top

4. How long have you been around for?

   We ran our pilot events in 2005 for over 500 students at three events around the country. The feedback was outstanding, proving that there is a huge demand for our services. We then ran 10 events for 10,000 students in 2006. See the 2006 Events section of this website for more details.

   Top

5. Who are the events for?

   Our events are aimed at bright students from state schools. We particularly welcome (althought this does not affect the selection process) students who have gone to schools with a poor record of getting students into a wide range of universities; who have parents with little or no experience of higher education; who come from an inner city school; who are in receipt of free school meals or who have little support in general with regards to university applications. Top

6. Are events all that you do?

   No! In addition to our events we offer a huge range of free information and tools on this site, as well as a magazine which we will distribute free of charge, which tells you more about the events and various employer opportunities. You can download this magazine from the website for FREE. If you are a teacher and think that your school would have students interested in attending our events and utilising the online tools then by all means please get in touch.

   Top

7. I receive a full scholarship to a private school. Can I still apply?

   Unfortunately not. Well done though, for having won such a competitive scholarship. Pure Potential was established to assist those who have not had access to the information needed to make strong university applications.

   Top

8. I am not sure whether I want to go to university. Can I still apply for a place at one of the events?

   Absolutely, though we do of course hope that we can convince you to apply! These events are about raising aspirations. For some students that will mean inspiring them to consider a wider range of courses and institutions, for others it will involve discussing the benefits of higher education. You can get so much from these events, wherever you are in the decision making process. Please visit the section of the website that discusses the benefits of higher education.

   Top

9. Will the event cost me any money?

   No. These events are free, just as the online tools are. The costs will be met by us and our sponsors.

   Top

10. Why do all of these businesses want to sponsor your events?

    Firms can see the very obvious benefits of being involved with you and Pure Potential.

    Responsible firms are committed to positive social change and social inclusion. They are an integral part of the world in which we live and should be involved in constructive and significant projects such as this.

    Firms also recognise that they are the greatest beneficiaries of universities, owing to the talented graduates they supply. Pure Potential gives firms the chance to show they care by helping students fulfil their potential before the university stage. The 10,000 students who attend the Pure Potential events are among the brightest of the 500,000 who apply to university every year. Becoming involved with talented students early allows firms to make an early, positive impression before their competitors.

    Top

11. Why is it so important to apply to university?

    Please refer to the section on the site dealing with the benefits of higher education.

    Top

12. Isn't it a bit early to be thinking about all of this? Applying is months away!

    It is never too soon to start. Many students don't realise that the deadline for applying to study Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Medicine (at any institution) or to study at Oxford and Cambridge is mid-October. Your personal statement has to be prepared and perfected, your school reference written, your choices made. Remember that many universities start making offers as soon as they receive applications, so it would be dangerous (and wrong) to assume that if the deadlines are in January that this is when the universities will begin to make decisions.

    The main reason for starting to think about this now, however, is so that you can make the right decisions. This applies to course and university choice and even whether you go at all. Few decisions you make in your life will be as important as this one, so give yourself some time to make it!

    Top

13. How do I sign up?

    You can book for one of our events from March 2008 here. Remember too that this site is a brilliant resource for your university application and career choices whether or not you attend an event.

    Top