English – Cambridge University

"Get your nose out of that book, and go to bed!" is the phrase that defined my childhood. I grew up
in a house surrounded by books, so it is no surprise that I am a voracious reader. Literature provides
us with the keys to unlock the rich past of our world, and allows us to access the wealth of a
novelist's imagination.

My favourite childhood book was Dr Seuss' Green Eggs and Ham. I was enthralled by the sound of
the words, by the rhythm and rhyme- I loved poetry before I understood what poetry was, and this
love has remained with me. Recently, I received an anthology of Emily Dickinson poetry. I kept
returning to The Forgotten Grave. The notions of mortality and the lack of a tangible afterlife
presented in the poem made me recall a trip to the Paris Catacombs. In order to explore the notion
of the memento mori relating to this historic sight I have based my EPQ on literature inspired by the
Catacombs, such as the poem Spring in the Paris Catacombs by Richard Le Gallienne.

After reading Never Let Me Go by Kasuo Ishiguro I discovered a new avenue of literature. This
interpretation of a bleak future led me to read novels like Nineteen Eighty Four by George Orwell
and Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. From this I entered an essay competition for Girton College
Cambridge with a dystopic short story entitled The Eyedolls, stemming from a possibility for the
future of Syria. These novels led to me search for the dystopic presented in unusual places, from
technology to The Lego Movie.

Studying Drama has given me the chance to see literature as a living art, and I have relished
exploring the works of playwrights like Tennessee Williams through performance. I have had the
opportunity to develop my understanding of Shakespeare's works by taking Trinity Guildhall
examinations; I am currently studying for a gold award. I have found it fascinating to explore some of
the greatest works in the English language through performance. My favourite aspect of this was
performing Sonnet 46 and being able to analyse it with the examiner.

My study of History has given me the ability to research independently and focus on detail, applying
this in coursework. I have been able to develop my understanding of literature by delving into its
historical and social context. After learning about the Civil Rights Movement I reread To Kill a
Mockingbird by Harper Lee, and was able to look at the novel within the context of the 1930s.

I have been fortunate enough to be one of a small cohort of students in the college Target A*
program. Through this I have been exposed to new opportunities, including the chance to
experience taster lectures in English Literature at Christ College Cambridge. I was also lucky enough
to be the winner of the inaugural Target A* essay competition.

Between the ages of 11 and 18 I was a full time ballet student, ultimately at the Central School of
Ballet. This has given me the skills of focus, commitment and discipline. I completed my GCSEs in 1
year, studying for two hours a day, alongside a dance schedule of 25 hours per week. My dance
career has been ended by injury, but I am wholeheartedly applying myself to my rediscovered love
of academic life.

For the last academic year I have worked as an online shopper at Sainsbury's, from 4am to 8am five
days a week. I feel this proves my reliability and capacity to prioritise my time effectively. Moreover,
I used this time to listen to literary podcasts, making the most of every moment. My favourite was a
reading wherein David Sedaris presented his essay The Santaland Diaries. This led me to purchase
several of his collections to read on the train.
I have been lucky enough to receive a taster of university life at Christ's College and know that I will
thrive at this higher level of study in the subject that fascinates me. I am looking forward to applying
my lifelong interest in literature coupled with my desire to do independent research, to my life at
university.