Grade A student Maisie McCormack is one to watch for the future after she beat thousands of young people to a place at the summer camp of America’s prestigious Yale University.
Following an arduous selection process, including a three-day residential in London, the Newcastle Sixth Form College student is one of just 150 people from across the UK who has been invited to travel to the US this summer.
The 17-year-old, whose ambition is to one day be a Member of Parliament, will spend a week in August touring around some of America’s top universities, including Yale and Harvard.
Her dream is to study a degree in Political Science and Economics in America, so the A Level student is hoping the trip will put her in a good position to be accepted for a place next year.
Maisie, from Westoe in South Shields, who is a member of the Conservative Party’s youth wing and a prospective candidate for the council elections in the town next year, said: “I was totally shocked when I received an email saying I had been accepted to attend the summer camp.
“I was totally bowled over, so I didn’t tell anyone because I just couldn’t believe it.
“When my tutors at college first suggested that I apply, I didn’t think for a minute that I would even get through the first round of the selection process.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for me to visit American universities to see if studying over there is for me.”
Maisie was selected from an original pool of 1,200 suitable applicants from across the UK who applied for the summer camp, which is organised by the Sutton Trust US Programme 2013.
It is eligible to those young people who have hopes of studying at university in America, but first, students must pass certain criteria, including passing an academic test, showing involvement in extra-curricular groups and organisations, and being part of a low or middle income family.
As well as being a member of Conservative Future, Maisie is also a public member of the NHS Trust in South Tyneside and set up her own local aid charity to help promote small businesses in South Shields.
David Coe, a tutor at Newcastle Sixth Form College, said Maisie was extremely bright, but was also involved in a range of community organisations, which will have scored highly with the Sutton Trust.
“Academically, Maisie is exceptional, but her involvement in the college’s enrichment activities is also notable, so I am not surprised that she has been invited to the Yale summer camp,” said David.
“I have no doubt whatsoever that she will achieve what she sets out to do. She is very motivated and ambitious.
“When I first heard about the scheme I suggested that Maisie apply because I knew she wanted to study in the US and it seemed perfect for her. She has done extremely well and I’m sure they will be impressed with her.”
