Harvard beckons for Burgh pupil

Sharon Thompson • Published 18 Mar 2010 12:30

A LOMOND school pupil has won a place at one of the most respected universities in the world.

At the tender age of 16, Caitlin Todd will be making a transatlantic journey to attend Harvard University in Boston, after her application to attend summer school was accepted.

And the Cardross teenager is delighted by the news.

She spoke to the Advertiser this week about her achievement and explained the rigorous application process she had to undertake before being awarded the spot in the Harvard Summer Secondary School Programme.

The former St Mary's and Cardross Primary pupil said: "The application process involved sending a report from my English teacher and guidance counsellor, a previously marked creative writing essay and a supplementary questionnaire. I applied without expecting to succeed and when asked if I thought I would get in, my genuine feeling was that I would not; after all I was competing with 16 to 18-year-olds who were more familiar with the American system."

The application was submitted around mid-December and Caitlin was shocked when she received an acceptance email followed by a welcome pack through the post a fortnight ago.

The summer school invites around 1,000 pupils from all over the world to take part in its summer school programme and is open to those who graduate from secondary school in either 2010, 2011 or 2012.

Mum Pauline said she initially thought Caitlin would be knocked back because of her age and asked to apply the following year.

"But we are delighted for her and I have always told her that anything is achievable if you work hard enough for it.

"And if ever an opportunity presents itself in life, we have always said take it!"

Caitlin is excited about the extra-curricular activities she can take on the other side of the pond.

A keen dancer, she is looking forward to continuing her modern classes as well as try other activities such as basketball, rowing and tennis.

And although she admitted to being "really nervous", she revealed that she has already chosen her subjects for the seven-week study trip.

"There are so many courses to choose from but I think I am going to take Introduction to International Relations and Literature to Film."

Enrolment takes place in mid-June and she will return home in early August from the Boston establishment.

She said: "My friends were shocked but really glad for me and my parents are proud; it wasn't until I saw the pride on my parents' and grandmother's faces that I really believed I had done it.

"I am really looking forward to this summer and I see it as a very unique and once in a lifetime chance to further my education in a college environment at just 16. Staying on an Ivy League campus, taking college courses and mixing with people from all over the world are only a few of the amazing experiences I hope will result from this opportunity."

And although Caitlin said she doesn't know what her future career will be, she "just wants to do as well as I can so that I have choice."

Lomond headmaster Simon Mills praised Caitlin's achievement.

He said: "Caitlin has great determination and a real desire to explore the benefits of attending the Harvard Summer School. The classes will undoubtedly stretch Caitlin and I support her desire to make this application unreservedly."

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