Harveet

Harveet is a second year biologist from Leicester. His own experience of Access and Outreach has made him want to give back as an Outreach Ambassador for Magdalen, and inspire other students to apply to Oxford.

I went to a state school comp and it was a pretty average secondary school experience. I never really thought about Oxford, but when I started applying for universities, I thought, maybe I’ll just apply and see how far I get. Then I got the place and it was suddenly real.

I used the online mentoring platform, Zero Gravity, to help with my Oxford application. I also took part in Opportunity Oxford and UNIQ. As a Magdalen access mentee, I was fortunate enough to be mentored through the process, the personal statement and interview stages.

Now, I’m the mentor. I read essays and personal statements for submissions and give feedback on them, as well as doing mock interviews and a bit of tutoring. One of my mentees is actually coming to Oxford this year.

I also help with the College’s Open Days and the ‘chat with our students’ web page. I just tell the truth, the bits I enjoy, the reality of it; the whole point of it is being able to relate to prospective students on a personal level. Biology is great fun, so I talk about the labs and all the cool things we do in first year.

For me, it’s about opening Oxford up and breaking down those stereotypes many of us have. Putting that seed in their mind of ‘you could go to Oxford’ can really inspire people who wouldn’t have thought about Oxford otherwise.

I feel I belong here. Every term I look forward to coming back to Magdalen – I count down the days in the holidays, getting ready to meet up with friends and just come back to everything Oxford. What’s unique about Magdalen is the community we have. That sounds cheesy but it is like a little Magdalen gang, especially with so many events going on. It’s Magdalen pride.