Millfield students secure scholarships to top US universities

Upper Sixth Millfield students have signed to attend top US Universities next year on highly competitive scholarships.

Dewi John, Harry Barton, Ines Braithwaite, Lily Thomas, Tottie Taylor and Wyatt Walsh were amongst the latest group of students who have signed to attend prestigious universities in the United States.

Dewi, who joined Millfield in Lower Sixth, has accepted a golf scholarship from Charleston, South Carolina. He said: “I struggled to decide what to do but the more I think about it now, the more I am just really excited to go. The amount of golf I can play there, the strength of the programme and the climate really excites me. Miss Nicholls, Director of Golf, helped me with all the extra little aspects of my game that needed perfecting. I want to play golf in the future, or if not, pursue a career in sports science.”

Lily, who joined Millfield in Year 9, has signed for Amherst College on an academic scholarship; she also had an interview lined up with the University of Cambridge. Lily said: “I’m just over the moon. I am so excited. The academic culture looks amazing, I want to study economics and neuroscience and pursue a career in behavioural economics. I was attracted by the option of doing liberal arts in the US. Miss Nixon, who is in charge of applications to American universities at Millfield, was amazing in helping me with my transcripts.”

Ines, who joined Millfield in Year 10, and has signed on a sport and academic scholarship to Sacred Heart University, Connecticut, said: “I am looking forward to carrying on my academics and hockey, and the professional level I’ll get to play at in a Division One institution. I am excited about the different experiences and culture, while pursuing my hockey in a different way around other good players. Reggie Keates, Director of Hockey, has been very supportive and encouraged me to put myself out there in front of US universities. I am hoping to pursue a career in business alongside art."

Tottie joined Millfield Prep School in Year 3, and has signed to Stanford University on a sports scholarship. She said: “I am excited to be going outside of the UK and having a new experience, a different culture of sport, meeting new people and experiencing different coaching styles. Millfield, in a way, shaped me to look outside the UK, and to continue both sport and academics to a high level. Miss Noall, Head of Academic Extension, has been really helpful in checking my essays and Reggie Keates, Director of Hockey, in compiling evidence for videos during my application process.”

Harry joined Millfield Prep School in Year 7 and has signed on an academic and sports scholarship to Youngstown State University. Harry, who is a sprint hurdler, said: “I’m excited to go and compete in all the big competitions they have in the US, it’s another level, and to have that week in week out will be really exciting. Academically, it will be more hands-on, and I am looking forward to the more practical element of my studies. Hopefully my time at university will help me to become a professional athlete or to pursue a career in business and finance. Mrs Nixon helped me with who to contact and how to write emails when I started the process. The level of competition, training, facilities and lifestyle will give me the best opportunity to grow and improve.”

Wyatt, who joined Millfield Prep in Year 4, has signed on an academic and sports scholarship to Quincy University, Illinois. He said: “I’m really looking forward to going to study and compete in my sport in the US in September, in particular the chance to study while continuing with my swimming. I have seen how much Millfield students who have attended US universities in recent years have enjoyed it and that’s why I chose to pursue this route.”

Linda Nixon, Tutor in Charge, said: “It has been a pleasure to work with the students and share their excitement when they receive offers. Without exception, the commitment and dedication they have shown to become the very best in their various disciplines is phenomenal for young people of their age and will stand them in good stead when they continue with the demands put upon them by the American Colleges.”

On average, 10% of Millfield students apply to study at universities in the US and Canada, and the numbers each year are growing. Some are attracted by the fantastic sports facilities and opportunities, whilst many favour the academic tuition system which provides more flexibility on course choice and the opportunity of combining a diverse range of subject areas.

Millfield provides specialist guidance for applications to American universities by employing a Tutor in Charge, timetabled SAT classes (headed by our SAT advisor Heather Jackson) and a Virginian Fellow, which is a student at the University of Virginia who resides at Millfield to assist with the US university application process. Millfield is also one of few SAT centres in the UK, which means that students can take their SAT entry exam on-site.

Our Careers & Higher Education Department is resourced to provide guidance to meet individual aspirations, whatever a student's ambitions, whether it is Oxbridge, Russell Group, specialist colleges, American or other colleges and international universities.

Find out more about Millfield students' university destinations here.