Dr Sean's Catalytic Academy

3️⃣ What have you done to prepare outside of education? (Super-curriculars!)

Question 3 isn’t a list – it’s a story. 🧵

Admissions tutors don’t care about what you read—they care about why it mattered. Here’s the formula:

✅ Idea (e.g., ‘I wondered how X works…’)

✅ Activity you engaged with (e.g., ‘…so I attended a lecture on Y…’)

✅ Insight (‘…which made me look at it differently and realise Z ’).

Weak answer: ‘I read a book.’

Stuck on the ‘Activity’ part? Comment SUPER and I’ll send you 10 super-curriculars you can do from home this half term! 🏠

3️⃣ What have you done to prepare outside of education? (Super-curriculars!)

Question 3 isn’t a list – it’s a story. 🧵

Admissions tutors don’t care about what you read—they care about why it mattered. Here’s the formula:

✅ Idea (e.g., ‘I wondered how X works…’)

✅ Activity you engaged with (e.g., ‘…so I attended a lecture on Y…’)

✅ Insight (‘…which made me look at it differently and realise Z ’).

Weak answer: ‘I read a book.’

Stuck on the ‘Activity’ part? Comment SUPER and I’ll send you 10 super-curriculars you can do from home this half term!

2️⃣ How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

Passion isn’t enough – you need to prove how your A-levels/IB are a stepping stone to your degree. This is where admissions tutors decide: ‘Does this student actually understand our course?’

Here’s how to nail it:
✅ Link your current studies to the degree, show that you can make the step-up
✅ Include academic super-curriculars (Extended Projects, EPQ, Olympiads, competitions) to show depth.
✅ Write for the tutor – speak their language (check the course description for keywords!).

Next up: Question 3 – how to stand out with super-curriculars (without overdoing it!)

1⃣ Why do you want to study this course?

‘I’ve always loved science’ won’t cut it. 🚨

Oxford and Cambridge want more than passion — they want evidence. Question 1 of your Personal Statement isn’t just ‘Why this course?’—it’s your chance to show admissions tutors exactly how you think.

Here’s my approach:
✅ Start with the moment (e.g. ‘Watching a lecture on xyz, I…’)
✅ Show what you did next (reading, experiment, researched)
✅ End with why it matters (how this inspired insight and further curiosity)

Year 12s: Start collecting your specific examples now.
Year 13s: If your draft starts with ‘I’ve always loved…’, please try again!

Next up: Question 2 – how to link your A-levels to uni skills without sounding like a robot. 🤖

‘The school told us not to bother until summer!’ 😳

I asked a parent today if she knew the 3 questions her son’s Personal Statement must answer. This was her reaction…

Your personal statement isn’t just an essay to start before the deadline — it’s the only exam question you get 12 months early. 🚨

Comment *PS* 👇 and I’ll send you the three questions! (Check pinned comment for the link! 🔗)

2027 entry – Start thinking about this now! ⏳ 2026 entry – You’ve still got time! 💪

Which student would you pick?

🎓 Admissions tutors see HUNDREDS of applicants with top grades.

Want to know how to stand out?
Comment ‘SUPER’ for my Introductory list of STEM Supercurriculars & info about my half term Masterclass!

Last week, I shared the exact steps to stand out in my free masterclass. Comment "SUPER" 📩 or DM me and I’ll send you the link.

🔥 Ready to take your application to the next level? Join my Super-Curricular Accelerator running over the October half term.

October 27th & 30th, designed specifically for ambitious STEM students aiming for top UK
universities. 🎯

Limited spots available — don’t miss out! ⏳

Does three A*s guarantee you a place at Oxbridge? 🤔

Cambridge rejected 1,400 science applicants students with top A*A*A* grades last year, yet accepted 400 with lower grades. Why? Because top grades alone don’t tell the whole story. 🎓

Oxbridge looks for passion, curiosity, and super-curricular achievements beyond just exam results. That’s why building a strong super-curricular profile is essential. 🚀

Last week, I shared the exact steps to stand out in my free masterclass. Want to watch?
Comment "SEND" 📩 or DM me and I’ll send you the link.

🔥 Ready to take your application to the next level? Join my Super-Curricular Accelerator
running over the October half term.

October 27th & 30th, designed specifically for ambitious STEM students aiming for top UK
universities. 🎯

Limited spots available — don’t miss out! ⏳