On 16 June, Deputy Grecians (Year 12s) at CH took part in the annual ‘Apply Day’ – a dedicated event aimed at kick-starting their university and post-school application journeys. The day was designed to help students make informed decisions about their futures, with sessions covering everything from UCAS applications to Oxbridge, international universities, gap years and degree apprenticeships.
The day began with an introduction that encouraged students to make a sensible range of choices, while also considering contextual offers, gap years and alternative pathways.
A highlight of the morning was the keynote address from Holly Smith of The University Guys, who delivered a myth-busting talk on the UCAS process. This was followed by a workshop from a representative from Sussex University on crafting strong personal statements, focusing on how to communicate strengths effectively.
The event then moved into breakout sessions, all of which were extremely well attended. Around 40 students participated in the degree apprenticeships talk, while a further 30 joined sessions on international universities and Oxbridge. Other breakout topics included gap years – led by Old Blue Jin – and hands-on support for starting UCAS applications and personal statements. Notably, the Oxbridge session featured valuable insights from former students now studying at Cambridge and Oxford.
The day concluded with a lively plenary session led by Mr Richards. Students were challenged to assess real-life applicant profiles and decide who deserved a place at a top university – a fun and thought-provoking way to reflect on what makes a strong application.
Apply Day proved to be an engaging and informative experience, giving students the tools and confidence to take the next steps toward their futures.