We are delighted to congratulate our
founding student Sammy L.,
on receiving an conditional offer for the
Medical Biosciences programme
at Imperial College London
(Ranked 1st in the UK and 2nd globally
in the QS World University Rankings).
She has also received offers from
King’s College London,
the University of Manchester,
and City University of Hong Kong.
After six years at Harrow Shenzhen, Sammy — who has always been fascinated by life’s smallest mysteries — is now ready to pursue her dream of working in a laboratory to help shape the future of human health.
01
Academic Journey: Unlocking the Door to Sciences Through English
When I first joined Harrow Shenzhen, my English was far from fluent.
Sammy recalls that she could understand more than she could speak.
However, the school’s fully immersive English environment became a strong support system. From the EAL Programme to internationally experienced teachers with more than two decades of expertise, and from vibrant campus activities to hands‑on workshops at cutting‑edge tech companies and masterclasses with top university professors.
All these resources gave Sammy the key to transitioning from “learning English” to “learning through English”.
Sammy particularly recalls a masterclass discussion with a microbiology professor from the University of Manchester on antibiotic resistance.
Sammy
“That was one of the best biology lessons I’ve ever had. The professor guided us from gut microbes to tuberculosis treatment and from the history of antibiotics to research ethics. I suddenly realised that medicine is not just about curing diseases — it’s about solving puzzles: understanding why life functions the way it does.”
Sammy’s academic excellence also stood out in international science competitions. She earned a Global Silver and Bronze in the UK Chemistry Olympiad, a Credit Award in the Australian Chemistry Olympiad, and a Bronze in the British Physics Olympiad, among others.
02
The Application Journey:
Aspiring to Explore the Future of Health in the Lab
Sammy’s dream has always been clear and firmly defined.
Sammy
“I want to work in a medical research lab. I love the atmosphere — quiet and focused, where every step leads to an unknown answer. An undergraduate degree is just the beginning. I intend to pursue postgraduate studies, delve deeper into research, bridge knowledge gaps, and respond to illness with science.”
Her passion for Medical Biosciences comes from her curiosity about the most cutting‑edge questions in human health: Why does cancer occur? How do bacteria become drug‑resistant? Can gene editing be used to cure genetic diseases?
Harrow Shenzhen carefully laid every brick along her path: precise A‑level subject selections, intensive tutoring in Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics, face‑to‑face interactions with university professors, and a well‑prepared Plan B developed by the Harrow Shenzhen university guidance team.
Sammy
“When my AS results didn’t turn out as high as I’d hoped, Plan B gave me confidence instead of panic. It taught me that a dream requires not only passion but also rationality.”
03
Leadership Insight:
How We Won House Music
If academics were her ladder upward, leadership became her journey inward.
As a Senior House Captain, Sammy collaborated with a former House Captain to prepare for the annual House Music competition. They were both equally dedicated perfectionists who often argued over lighting angles. They gave each other the cold shoulder over song sequences and refused to compromise on prop placement.
Sammy
“For a while, we could hardly talk without tension. I felt as though the entire performance was unravelling.”
The turning point came one evening. They sat down, wrote all the suggestions on a whiteboard, and went through the pros and cons point by point. The arguments were still intense, but they were now softened by phrases like “What do you think?” and “Let me try that.”
Sammy
“In the end, we won the House Music competition that year. But what was more valuable than the trophy was what I learnt: disagreement isn’t a crack but a gateway to deeper understanding. When arguments are grounded in respect, they lead to outcomes far stronger than silence ever could.”
Sammy no longer feared speaking up or avoided conflict. Instead, she turned every disagreement into the glue that held the team together.
Sammy’s story is not that of a prodigy.
Rather, it is the journey of
an ordinary student who,
through courage, perseverance, and
Harrow Shenzhen’s personalised support,
achieved her dream.
As she puts it,
I truly enjoy every moment in the lab, but I also know that this is just the beginning.
From Shenzhen to London,
from Harrow to Imperial —
Sammy’s next destination lies at
the forefront of life sciences.
Her story will continue to
inspire every Harrovian who dares to dream.
