7th November 2025
Last summer, our incredible Student Union President, Cassie, had the amazing opportunity of spending several weeks in the United States as part of the Sutton Trust Fulbright US Programme.
With an acceptance rate of just 7% this year, gaining a place on the programme is an outstanding achievement, and we are beyond proud of Cassie for representing our college on such a prestigious international stage.
The Sutton Trust US Programme is designed to give high-achieving UK students a first-hand look at what studying at an American university is really like. Participants get to explore world-renowned campuses, experience college life, and learn more about the application process to leading US institutions.
During her time in the States, Cassie visited some of the most respected universities in the world, including Harvard, Yale, Amherst, Smith, and Connecticut College. Cassie’s group were also the first ever on the program to stay in the dorms of Brown, an Ivy League university in Rhode Island.
Alongside the academic experiences, she also got to experience some of the American culture —exploring the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, admiring the collections at the Yale University Art Gallery, attending a college fair at Harvard and discovering the streets of Downtown Boston and Providence. One of the highlights of the trip was watching and experiencing the amazing atmosphere of a WNBA basketball game, which Cassie has always dreamed of doing.
Cassie described the trip as an unforgettable experience that has shaped her future ambitions and given her the confidence to apply to a top US university this year.
“Exploring the US was like living in an American movie, everything was so surreal from people's accents, their lingo, the wide "sidewalks" and even the suburban houses! Honestly, I had the best time and have made so many memories. It was like we were one big family.
This was just an amazing glimpse into what life could be like for me in the future, and that is why I have put all my heart into building connections with one university in particular, Denison. I will find out about my decision in the middle of December, and if I don’t get admitted I will be applying to 10 more universities by January.
I just want more people to be open to what you can achieve if you put your mind to it. I know that I have so much potential and the best version of myself would be over in the US. The biggest thing for me on this trip was making life-long friends!” — Cassie
If you’re curious about what studying in the US could look like, the Sutton Trust US Programme might be the perfect opportunity for you. Applications open soon for next summer’s cohort — and who knows, this time next year it could be you!
To find out more and apply, visit us.suttontrust.com
