Pure Potential

Case Studies

Below is a small selection of our 20,000-strong student database. If you would like an interview or further details please contact Sibyl Zao-Sanders by email at sibyl@purepotential.org or by telephone on 020 7408 7277.

Zachary , Year 12

• From London
• Currently in receipt of EMA
• Will be applying to Oxford University to study History and Politics 
• Is hoping to come to a Pure Potential event in summer 2008
• AS-Level Subjects: Government & Politics, History, Media Studies, Business and Law 

What he says about attending an event in 2008:

'I'm hoping to attend the Pure Potential event next summer at Imperial College so that I can gain a wider knowledge on applying to university including; what to write and not what to write on the personal statement, the best ways to finance myself and general advice for university.'

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Katy, Year 13

• From Leek, Staffordshire
• Intended Degree: English and Psychology
• AS Levels: English Language, English Literature, Psychology, Biology
• In receipt of Education Maintenance Allowance

What she says about the Pure Potential event:

'I went to the Pure Potential event at the University of Manchester. The staff were really nice and helpful in telling us where to go. The atmosphere was really friendly and lots of the staff came and chatted to us in our lunch break. The presenters were really fun and definitely tried to get the audience involved by asking questions. The format of the day was interesting. It started with talks on things such as personal statements and student finance which had lots of useful facts and advice. There was then a lunch break after which we went to smaller talks which we could pick from a choice of different career types including civil service, law, teaching etc. I found it all very interesting as some careers I had ever thought about doing before but it made me interested in the different ideas out there and showed me that there are many careers I haven't considered which I could enjoy. Overall its a great day and I would recommend it!'

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Michael, First Year

• Studying Law with French Masters at Sheffield Hallam University
• Considering a career as a barrister

What he says about his experience at Pure Potential:

'I attended the Pure Potential event at UCL. When I turned up to the event I had little idea what to expect and no idea about uni or how to even get there. The activities and meetings that were put on were great, they really helped me get an understanding of what I would be going into if I went to uni, and more importantly they taught me how to get into the one I wanted to. All in all it was a good day as not only was I given more confidence over my application, but everyone else was in the same boat as me.'

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 Tolu, Second year

• From London
• AS Levels: Art, English, French, Maths
• Currently studying at Maths with Education at Cambridge University
• Work experience: Did a job placement at the Graveney School, London during her first year

What she says about the Pure Potential event:

'The Pure Potential Day was an eye-opener - before it the whole university process was completely foreign to me and I didn't know where to start. When I attended the day I really liked the fact that I could actually talk to other people who had the same aspirations as me! Also, it was cool to talk to people who had actually attended the university, because they all seemed like down-to-earth, regular people. The interview skills section was really helpful as well as funny, and the presenter gave an example that really stuck with me, about being confident and always talking about what you know rather than what you don't, because it's only then that you will actually shine. '

 What she says about work experience:

'My course will be getting harder from now on, so I thought it would be best to do it (job placement) now while there was less academic pressure. Work experience is a big advantage when applying for a PGCE, but it also gives you a better understanding of working in a school setting and helps to ensure it is the career track you want to follow. It certainly made me realise that is was a lot harder work than I anticipated but it hasn't put me off at all.'