Offered by the academic team of Oxford Academy of Excellence
The University Application & Work Experience Package is a program that helps you gain work experience, prove leadership skills, and submit a university application that ticks all the boxes.
For around 6-8 weeks, you will work with experts trained at leading institutions, Harvard University, University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, Yale University, MIT, Sandford University, NASA etc.
You will be able to highlight all this experience in your university application! And there it is, the application that truly stands out!
Note: This program is designed by admission officers from the world’s best universities, who have firsthand experience evaluating university applications from students globally. Their knowledge guarantees that your application will stand out!
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We guide you through a research project tailored to your interests, and the universities you aim to apply, with mentorship from academics trained at top institutions. This experience builds analytical skills and a deep understanding of your chosen field.
We support you in transforming your research into a professional article, which will be published on the Oxford Academy of Excellence platform under your name. This achievement not only enhances your profile but also showcases your expertise.
We help you participate in hands-on projects inspired by pioneering companies such as Pfizer, Moderna, Google, Boeing, SpaceX, and many more. These experiences allow you to apply your knowledge to real-world challenges, strengthening your problem-solving and creativity.
We prioritise your personal growth, helping you develop the confidence and ambition needed to excel in interviews, presentations, and all areas of life.
We foster your ability to learn independently, encouraging critical thinking and resilience—qualities essential for both academic success and future careers.
We teach you how to recognise and make the most of opportunities, whether it’s leading a project, networking with mentors, or developing a unique skill set.
We help you write a powerful personal statement that authentically reflects your strengths, aspirations, and experiences.
We will provide you with a letter of recommendation focused on your projects, skills, showing your achievements and potential.
Upon successful completion of the programme, you will receive a certificate from the Oxford Academy of Excellence, acknowledging your hard work, accomplishments, and dedication throughout the programme.
In this program, you are not simply a student receiving mentorship on applying to prestigious universities; you’re a future collaborator. It’s a program that provides lifelong value long after you graduate from university.
What you learn in the program and the experience you gain will not only improve your university application —it will make you an accomplished individual with impressive professional baggage.
The program is designed to improve your university application and increase your chances of securing admission. It also boosts your future employability by providing valuable work experience, which you will also be able to mention in your university application. A win-win!
This program offers lifelong value. You will be able to highlight on your CV that you have collaborated with world-class leaders from prestigious universities, organized leadership and outreach events, and acquired essential leadership skills. These competencies are crucial not only for university applications, but also for future employment. The mentors will provide you with a letter of reference based on the work you do with them that you can use whenever necessary, as long as you inform us in advance.
Here’s what the program will look like from the begining to the end.
Week
Activities
Description
Week 0
Welcome, Consultation & Enrolment
We welcome you to the programme with a personalised consultation to understand your goals and set you on a path of discovery and growth.
Week 1
Inspiration & Goal Setting
Together, we’ll explore your unique strengths, passions, and dreams, defining ambitious goals that will guide every step of your journey.
Week 2
Personal Plan to Reach Your Goal
We create a customised action plan tailored to your interests, linking you to groundbreaking research from top universities and institutions that will bring your ambitions to life.
End of Week 2
Vision Alignment & Project KickoffWelcome, Consultation & Enrolment
We’ll review and refine your plan, aligning it with your aspirations and goals (also focusing on university applications).
Weeks 3-4
Project 1: Immersive Research Experience
You’ll focus into a research project designed around your interests. For example, if you’re aspiring to attend medical school, we’ll guide you in exploring advanced areas like personalised medicine and genomics. If you’re interested in mechanical or aeronautical engineering, you could engage in research inspired by Formula 1 innovations, SpaceX’s engineering principles, or sustainable transportation solutions. This project will hone your analytical skills and expand your understanding in areas directly related to your career goals.
Week 5
Bringing Your Research to Life
With our support, you’ll turn your research into a powerful article, showcasing your unique insights and communication skills. We’ll publish your article in the Oxford Academy of Excellence with your name, allowing you to share your discoveries with a broader audience.
Weeks 6-8
Project 2: Hands-On Innovation
We guide you through a practical, hands-on project that’s matched to your skills and ambitions. For example, if you’re focused on healthcare, you might work on a project related to wearable technology for personalised healthcare. If you’re an engineering enthusiast, we might explore projects inspired by Boeing or Google’s innovations in sustainability or autonomous systems. This experience empowers you to tackle real-world challenges and apply your creativity to bring ideas to life.
Weeks 9-10
Changemakers Presentation
We help you prepare for the Changemakers Event, where you’ll present your work to mentors and peers inspiring others with your achievements and growing your confidence as a changemaker.
Weeks 11-13
Writing Your Story: Personal Statements & Applications
With personalised guidance from academics trained at leading institutions, we’ll help you develop an impactful personal statement and application for top universities, highlighting your unique journey and achievements (also focusing on the projects that you have finalised).
Week 14
Celebrating Your Success
We honour your achievements with a certificate, recognising the skills, growth, and inspiration you’ve gained, preparing you to move forward as a confident changemaker ready to impact the world.
Find out how each element within the package will be beneficial to the ultimate goal of the program:
Work experience is essential for successful university admission. University academics highly value students who can excel in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, indicative of a successful future workplace.
Work experience significantly boosts a student’s employability by developing essential 21st-century skills. Through work experience, students learn key skills such as teamwork, leadership, critical thinking, and problem-solving, skills that help students effectively handle unfamiliar situations. By working 1:1 with a leading academic from a world-class institution, students will have the opportunity to acquire these skills, thrive in a competitive and dynamic environment, and secure a place in university.
Students will immerse themselves in tasks mirroring those of researchers at renowned institutions like Harvard University, Yale University, University of Oxford, and Cambridge.
During this time, as a participant, you will:
The average time an admissions officer spends reading a personal statement is 45 seconds. So, you must write an engaging and concise personal statement that quickly captures their attention and effectively communicates your unique strengths and aspirations.
In their personal statement, students highlight their unique views and explain why they are the best choice for admission.
Reference letters are a crucial part of the admissions process. You need to submit them so admissions officers can learn about you from academics who have worked with you and know you well.
The interview can seem daunting; we’ve been there!
So, being well-prepared for a university interview is one of the best ways to increase your chances of getting offered a place at your preferred university.
How the program helps:
In this unique opportunity, you will work with Harvard, Oxford, or NASA-trained academics to master the art of article writing.
What else?
Under the mentorship of professionals, you will use your existing skills by aligning them with the ethos of your target universities. Each student will work on a customized project/article suited to their interests under the guidance of a world-class academic.
These articles will be featured prominently on platforms like the Oxford Academy of Excellence and the Zalli Foundation (platforms where other world-class leaders have written articles, including Barack Obama Leaders and leaders from Industry and Academia). Participating in this program boosts your prospects for university admissions and future employability. Writing articles under the guidance of top academics not only highlights your intellectual capabilities but also your ability to conduct independent research — traits that are highly value
Success requires leadership and teamwork skills. Students are required to provide evidence that they possess these qualities, which is what this program does—it allows them to gain and prove these skills.
Students will get the opportunity to take the initiative and plan an event centred on a subject of particular interest to them in collaboration with an internationally renowned academic. The event will be promoted on social media and will feature the students.
The event can also serve to support the local community and raise awareness of a specific topic, which is highly valued in university applications.
The topic could range from “How to Lead” to various other subjects.
Optional Add-on
Part of the Oxford Academy of Excellence, the Changemaker Program will help you make a positive impact in your community. How exactly? You will be part of leadership projects, community initiatives, and mentorship opportunities, all while collaborating with accomplished world-class leaders and academics. You will develop leadership skills to complement the ones you already acquired during your leadership event with the University Application & Work Experience program. This program is a perfect way to demonstrate and develop your leadership skills, drive positive change, and collaborate with some of the brightest minds today.
Students share their experiences with the program and talk about the impact of working with Dr. Detina Zalli, the program director.