LAE Futures Fair offers glimpse of tomorrow to Year 12

By Rebecca Baxter, Assistant Head (Head of Sixth Form)

Attending university fairs and events can be a great way to gain insight into higher education and what it takes to succeed in the admissions process. One such event that provided a wealth of information and advice was London Academy of Excellence’s Futures Fair, which offered pupils the chance to speak with representatives from a variety of universities, as well as alumni from those institutions and professionals from multiple industries.

One of the most valuable aspects of the fair, held at the Stratford-based sixth form college on 17th March, was the alumni themselves, who shared personal experiences and dispensed specific advice based on their own journeys. This gave attendees a real sense of what it is like to be a student at the respective universities, and of what they can expect from their courses and campus life. Hearing directly from those who had been through the process was incredibly helpful as it afforded a unique perspective that could not be found in brochures or on university websites.

Another benefit of the fair was the range of universities present. While researching universities online can bring forth a lot of information, there are often questions that websites cannot answer. Speaking with representatives from assorted universities allowed the Year 12 pupils from UCS to get a better sense of what different institutions have to offer, and to ask questions peculiar to their interests and concerns.

One topic that was especially emphasised during the fair was the importance of extracurricular activities for a strong university application. The Cambridge talk, in particular, provided valuable insight into what activities may be most relevant for specific subjects, and how to showcase enthusiasm for your chosen field in personal statements and interviews.

Overall, attending the LAE Futures Fair was a valuable learning experience for students, opening windows into university life and the admissions process. Whether speaking with university representatives, alumni or professionals, our pupils received important advice to inform and influence their decisions about their future education and career goals.