Millfield rower receives full scholarship offers from Yale and Harvard

A Millfield rower has received full scholarship offers from two of the world’s most prestigious universities, having only taken up the sport a year ago.

Isabelle Jones, an Upper Sixth student from Truro, Cornwall, has received full-ride offers from both Yale and Harvard, worth an estimated 740,000 US Dollars combined. Full-ride scholarships include all fees, accommodation and more.

Isabelle joined Millfield for Sixth Form on a sports scholarship. She was initially part of Millfield’s first team Netball squad before taking up rowing. In less than a year, she has earned a place on the GB Rowing Performance Development Academy. Isabelle said the opportunity to start rowing presented itself and she took it. She said: “I’d never had access to the sport before, and so I gave it a go when I started at Millfield. In the past I’d been told I had the right build for a rower, so I thought I’d try it. I balanced netball and rowing for Lower Sixth, but I’m going to fully focus on rowing for Upper Sixth.”

Isabelle received the offer from Harvard first and then earlier this summer Yale made their offer. She contacted the coaches in January and kept them updated with her PB’s, meeting them in person after sitting her SAT’s.

Opting for Yale, due to its outstanding rowing and academic programmes, she said, “It’s a life-changing opportunity, it’s a chance to elevate my rowing and hopefully get me to the Olympics. Yale has an incredible rowing programme and the coaches there have coached other Olympic rowers in the past.”

Isabelle has not yet had many opportunities to compete but one of her highlights so far was winning the National Junior Championships in March, in London.

When talking about the Millfield rowing programme, Isabelle praised the coaches, saying: “The support from rowing coach Mr Paul is second to none; he is confident in my ability and I trust his training.”

Alongside her academics, Isabelle has a busy training schedule, with around five morning sessions each week, as well as training at lunchtime and after school.

Isabelle believes that success in sport goes hand in hand with success in academics: “You’re going to try hard in both sport and academics, I don’t think I’d be able to focus on my academics if I couldn’t release loads of energy through my rowing. I think the whole school is incredibly supportive of all the students and completely understands the challenge of balancing both sport and academics.”

Matt Paul, Head of Rowing at Millfield, said: "Securing a full scholarship to Yale is an extraordinary achievement and a testament to Isabelle’s relentless drive and thirst for self-improvement. Since we began working together in late 2025, her transition from netball to top-tier rowing has been remarkable. Watching her line up in the 1x at the British Championships, competing fearlessly against seasoned adult athletes, showed the incredible composure and tenacity she possesses. Millfield’s ability to align her academic schedule, boarding support, and training has provided the ideal platform, but it is Isabelle’s work ethic that makes her special. I have no doubt she has the talent and determination to reach the absolute pinnacle of international rowing, and we are immensely proud of her."

After completing her A Levels at Millfield, Isabelle will head to Yale next year to begin the next chapter of her academic and rowing journey.