Anthony, who joined our IB Sixth Form to study the IB Diploma, has won a place at one of the world’s most outstanding universities, The California Institute of Technology (Caltech). A global leader in sciences and engineering, with the highest per capita Nobel Prize winners in the US, Caltech is known for its highly selective admissions criteria, with a total student body of only approximately 2,000.
Anthony’s exceptional academic profile and significant achievements in the field of STEM have secured him a full PhD scholarship in Bioengineering at Caltech, lasting six years and including all tuition fees and personal expenses.
A hugely talented student at Westbourne, Anthony competed in a host of UK-wide science olympiads whilst studying for the IB Diploma. He excelled in his studies, ultimately achieving an exceptional 45 Points in his IB and securing his undergraduate place at one of the world’s finest universities – the University of Cambridge – which has been instrumental in his journey to Caltech.
Here’s what Anthony had to say when he studied with us, offering a glimpse into his route to one of the world’s leading STEM universities…
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
My name is Anthony and I’m from Vietnam. I want to be a researcher in Biochemistry. I’ve been at Westbourne for two years.
How has your experience in Homestay been?
I haven’t been back to Vietnam for more than a year. I’ve been in homestay for about 10 months with Mr Mike and Mrs Cath. It has been a wonderful opportunity and I couldn’t ask for more. They are really like a second family to me and the home environment they’ve created is so cosy. Every evening I can go down and have a chat with them, sit on the sofa and watch television and release any stress from the day. What is more important is that they are willing to share stories and advice about schools, university and life experience, and that’s the best thing I can ask for. It feels like a family, I feel like their own child.
What’s the best thing about living in Boarding?
The boarding house environment has made me grow. Since starting at Westbourne, thanks to my homestay parents I’ve learnt a lot about culture in the UK. They’ve guided me through everything – from the food, to history, even entertainment.
What are the benefits of attending a small school?
In small communities, everyone knows each other. That’s really great, as teachers understand you so well. Because of that, you can talk with them in the office or tell them what is occupying your mind and they are willing to help. I used to attend a public school in Vietnam, it was quite large, and I was in a class of 45 students! In that context, only when you’re the best of the best will the teacher recognise you. In Westbourne, the teachers give great care to every student, making sure that everyone reaches the high standard that they are hoping for.
How do you think the IB compares to A-levels? What would you say to a student considering both?
Before I joined Westbourne, I was actually looking at both A-levels and the IB. In scientific subjects, which is my main focus, Physics, Chemistry or Biology, the content is basically the same for both curricula. But the fact that in the IB you have to study compulsory humanity and the core subjects like TOK and EE, I think that really helps with preparing you for university. I have to be honest, although they are really stressful with deadlines, once you go to university you know it’s really benefited you. The skills of being able to analyse, and make controls in your experiment… it’s compulsory at university. So the IB gives you the opportunity to expose yourself to this way of learning first-hand. That’s really meaningful for us in the long term.
What academic achievements have you had outside the classroom?
I have always been an Olympiad student. I took the Vietnamese Olympiad in High School and that fire is still burning now, even after relocating across the world to the UK. I came to Westbourne and one of my main objectives was to enter the Biology Olympiad in my first year in IB1. Recently I’ve also competed in the Chemistry Olympiad and other competitions. I’m really glad that the teachers, Dr Francis and Mr Tucker, gave me the opportunity to register for these competitions and I’m so happy they’ve been willing to help and mentor me. We all know that it’s beyond the current IB curriculum, and self-study is completely mandatory. It’s safe to say for scientific students like me, these competitions come in handy when applying for the top universities.
How have you found online learning?
I’ve liked it a lot! Partly because you can flexibly manage your timetable. You can work at your own pace, at home if you’re stressed or exhausted, you can have a 15-minute nap and then wake up and continue doing work. There’s more flexibility in the whole pace. I really enjoyed that.
Where are you going for university?
Cambridge for Natural Sciences. The thing about Natural Sciences at Cambridge is you start from the beginning, you have a broadened perspective of Natural Sciences as a whole. Then in the 2nd or 3rd year you start to converge into the specific subject subdivisions. I really want to have that broad perspective and then try to re-evaluate my decision, to assess whether Biochemistry is right for me. I’m really looking forward to Cambridge.
How have you been prepared for the future by studying at Westbourne?
Science in the future is definitely going to be harder. It’s going to be a notch more difficult than what we study in high school. Before coming to Westbourne, I wasn’t really good at Maths. When you go to university, Maths becomes a universal tool for any science student. When I came here, I got a lot of help from Mr Morrison with honing my Maths skills, starting from zero and going up and up, improving my skills and being able to utilise and implement those concepts into scientific contexts. This enabled me to be able to do statistics and the more analytical side of Maths in science, like in Chemistry or Physics. Westbourne honed my mathematical skills and made me feel more comfortable with my decision to engage in a STEM career.
When you look back at your time at Westbourne, what do you think will stay with you throughout life?
I will really miss Mrs Page (English teacher). I still remember what she said right at the start of the course. I didn’t believe in it at first, but now I do. She taught us “how to read!”. I actually know how to read now, in a literal and emotional context. That will stay with me for the rest of my life. Even as a science student. That capability to write reports, or have that emotion, it’s all thanks to Mrs Page. I feel really grateful, it’s a relief that I now understand what she meant.
What are you looking forward to most about going to university?
The challenge, obviously! And the opportunities… and research! That encompasses the whole career of science. You have opportunities to meet a lot of people, you have the hardship of research, the ability to balance your bookworm life with meeting and hanging out with people, an important aspect of uni life too.
What’s the one thing you’d say to a student deciding whether or not to come to Westbourne?
Enjoy the challenge! Obviously, the IB is a challenge, but along the way just enjoy it, enjoy the community aspect, the time with your friends, and the support from the teachers. Make your two years at Westbourne a memorable experience in your high school career.
You can read more about Anthony’s path to PhD success here.
