Meet just a few of our students in 2011...

Reimi Konda

Nationality: Japanese
Campus: CATS College Cambridge
Studying: Medics Programme, Fast track A levels achieved A*A*A*A*, IELTS 8.5
Destination: University of Cambridge to read Veterinary Medicine

"I've always liked science, it's always been my favourite subject ever since I started middle school/ high school, I want to know physiology and particularly animals so Veterinary Medicine seemed the obvious choice. I'm interested in exotic animals particularly. Vets specialise in either small animals like dogs and cats, large animals like cows and horses and exotics, so there's three main areas and I think I'm journeying towards exotic animals, you can work in Zoo's, you can go into wildlife parks and work with wildlife managers which I think is really interesting.

CATS College Cambridge is right in the centre of Cambridge, I can see the University of Cambridge Colleges from the window. I really like the city; it's nice and has traditional buildings. It's a comfortable size, you can get anywhere with your bike.

On the Medics programme I learnt not just the facts, but also the ability to analyse and confidently justify and explain my answers. It has been really helpful, I was able to get support with writing my personal statement, setting up work experience with a local Vet and help with my interview technique. I've had to work really hard this year but now I have my place I can relax a bit! Without this Programme I doubt I would have achieved my place at Cambridge.

In the future I want to work in another country because of my English. I would hate to lose my English language and I want a career that will take me to a lot of different places and let me see different things.

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Tin Shing Lee

Nationality: HK Chinese
Campus: CATS College Cambridge
Studied: Fast track A level and achieved A* A* A, IELTS 7.0
Destination: Imperial College London to read Biochemistry

"CATS College has been the vital stepping stone for me to reach my target university. They have not just helped me to achieve my grades but also many different aspects of essential academic skills like leading presentations, interview techniques and writing explicit scientific reports.

Fast track A level is stressful indeed, especially with me having no prior knowledge in chemistry, but with the extra-curricular activities provided in the college, life at CATS College has been fun and academic at the same time. The Medics Programme was also extremely helpful by giving me extra help on the courses and assisting me with university preparations, personal statement and future career guidance. My success with my university application would not be possible without the help provided by CATS College."

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Chun Lam Ng

Nationality: HK Chinese
Campus: CATS College Cambridge
Studied: Fast track A level achieved A*, A, A, IELTS 7.0
Destination: University of Warwick to read Economics

"It wasn't just the knowledge I learnt, but the way to analyse and get full marks on each question. Even if I was not in the class, teachers would still support me sending e-mails, talking directly or giving papers to mark.

It was a really tough year studying fast-track A-level so I really appreciate the support from the teachers which ensured I didn't waste time. I also had a huge help from my PT with writing my personal statement. It is really spectacular after adapting with his suggestions and ensured I achieved offers from top universities.

Last but not least, my English teachers helped me a lot to focus on my weakness which meant I achieved an adequate IELTS score to fulfil the requirement from the university. Without the support from the college, I don't think I would achieved a place at one of the top universities."

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Yihe Zhao

Nationality: Chinese
Campus: CATS College Cambridge
Studied: A levels achieved A*AA, IELTS 6.5
Destination: Imperial College London to read Biomedical Engineering

"I wanted to study abroad and achieve entry to a top university so decided to come to the UK. I chose CATS College Cambridge because I wanted to feel the atmosphere of studying in one of the world's most academic cities and CATS College is next to many Cambridge University Colleges. My dream is to cure genetic diseases and for that reason I wish to study Biomedical Sciences or Engineering. The medics programme has opened my eyes to what is required at Medical school and deepened by knowledge. The programme has helped me achieve my goal!"

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Hai Van Nguyen

Nationality: Vietnamese
Campus: CATS College Cambridge
Studying: A levels achieved AA*A*
Destination: University of Bath to read Business Administration

"The teaching style is different here; I have time to focus on what I want to do to help my future in my country each classroom will have about 50 students in, or more if it's oversubscribed, but here my classes have only 7 or 8 people so the teacher is able to really concentrate on the students and help them individually. I have frequent testing in all my subjects which I find useful. After ever test, the tutor will write us a comment on how we did and what we have to do to improve plus I've made friends from all around the world here.

I'd never been here to the UK before I came to CATS College, but I knew they had a good education system and a good learning environment, and I wanted to learn English and I wanted to improve my English so I came here!

Cambridge is a nice town. It's really beautiful and traditional and really clean. The people are really nice too! There are people here from countries I didn't know anything about before. I didn't want to study at a boarding school in the UK. I have friends at traditional boarding schools and they say that the rules there are really strict. I want to be free to do my own thing and enjoy school, not feel restricted."

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Aisha Manapova

Nationality: Kazakh
Campus: CATS College Canterbury
Studying: IB achieved 41 points (equivalent to higher than A* A* A* A* at A level)
Destination: Queen Mary, University of London to read Law

"The IB is much more diverse, than A levels and I think a better qualification which helped me get into a better university. The teachers here are very good, and it’s a very informal environment. They help because they want to not because they are obliged to and the H.E. support for my UCAS application has made the process very smooth."

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Carina Carvalho Mori

Nationality: Brazilian
Campus: CATS College Canterbury
Studying: A level achieved AAB
Destination: University of York, to read Genetics

“I very much enjoyed my time at CATS College. England is an old and historic country and the University Foundation gave me the opportunity to fast-track to a university here. At CATS College we get really good support from the teachers, they care about our feelings and are open to listen to the students. Seeing my Personal Tutor every week has helped clear any concerns or doubts.

We are tested every 2-3 weeks on our current knowledge which helps to show us the areas we in which we need to improve to stay on track to meet our target grades. I’ve also learnt study techniques such as speed reading which helps when reading long texts and means I don’t have to read things twice – which all helps in exams!

The student council at College is a great way to highlight the student voice, they represent our views and solve any problems and issues. The higher education support has been good, I’ve been helped with my personal statement and UCAS application details.

My advice to students is don’t be afraid to learn in another language, after a while it becomes normal and you quickly become fluent!"

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Eni Shemaj

Nationality: Albanian
Campus: CATS College Canterbury
Studying: A level achieved A* A* A*
Destination: University of Manchester to read Law

"I came to the UK to study and broaden my horizons, understand different cultures and improve my English. I have always been interested in psychology and culture and having been introduced to CATS College Canterbury it offered a great study environment with the subjects I was hoping for.

I saw other UK boarding schools but they were just too isolated and at CATS College we are located in the countryside but also benefit from having the town within a short walk.

Canterbury is fairly small but beautiful and at weekends I take visits and there are always activities to do. I was always aiming for a top university and I am thrilled with my results and achieving a place at Manchester!"
 

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Click here to see some of our top students from 2010