Is Immerse Education Essay competition worth it?

After finishing my GCSEs, I’ve been looking for ways to stay productive over the summer. I recently came across an essay competition that’s open until mid-September, offering scholarships ranging from 5% to 100% for summer programmes. I was surprised to see that even the 75% scholarship still requires you to pay thousands of pounds which isn’t worth it, especially as attending the programme doesn’t guarantee you into a top university.

I decided that if I were to enter it would be only for the opportunity to develop my essay writing and research skills. At the same time, I discovered the Gold CREST Award, which seems like a valuable but more time-intensive project. Now I’m deciding whether I should try to do both, or focus on just one.

I would like to study something STEM-related, such as biochemistry or medicine, so I’m trying to choose the best use of my time this summer.

Reply 1

McGinger

'Essay competitions', CREST, DoE etc will not help you get a Uni offer. We just ignore this sort of stuff because it doesn't mean you will be a 'better' student than anyone else. Do it of you want to keep busy, but don't expect it to make any difference.

If you know what Uni subject you are aiming at, then 'extra reading' is worthwhile, and there are free Moocs (online short Uni courses) on FutureLearn and Coursera that will also be useful, both for 'subject extension' and practising notetaking/listening etc.

Suggested Moocs ;
Applying for Medical School - Online Course - FutureLearn
Exploring Everyday Chemistry - Online Course - FutureLearn
Biology of Bugs, Brains and Beasts - Online Course - FutureLearn
An Introduction to Biochemistry - Online Course

Online recorded Uni taster lectures (Biosciences) from Uni of Leeds:
Taster Lectures | Faculty of Biological Sciences | University of Leeds

Reply 2

Reality Check

Original post

by erixou

After finishing my GCSEs, I’ve been looking for ways to stay productive over the summer. I recently came across an essay competition that’s open until mid-September, offering scholarships ranging from 5% to 100% for summer programmes. I was surprised to see that even the 75% scholarship still requires you to pay thousands of pounds which isn’t worth it, especially as attending the programme doesn’t guarantee you into a top university.
I decided that if I were to enter it would be only for the opportunity to develop my essay writing and research skills. At the same time, I discovered the Gold CREST Award, which seems like a valuable but more time-intensive project. Now I’m deciding whether I should try to do both, or focus on just one.
I would like to study something STEM-related, such as biochemistry or medicine, so I’m trying to choose the best use of my time this summer.

These are just commerical enterprises with the sole aim of making large profits from anxious students who think that by participating in their 'schemes' they will somehow get a competitive advantage on their UCAS application. That's the business model of these companies: profiting from uncertainty and unconfidence.

Do it if you want to, but don't do it for any suggestion that it might 'burnish' your UCAS application. It won't.

Reply 3

17noorul ann

Original post

by erixou

After finishing my GCSEs, I’ve been looking for ways to stay productive over the summer. I recently came across an essay competition that’s open until mid-September, offering scholarships ranging from 5% to 100% for summer programmes. I was surprised to see that even the 75% scholarship still requires you to pay thousands of pounds which isn’t worth it, especially as attending the programme doesn’t guarantee you into a top university.
I decided that if I were to enter it would be only for the opportunity to develop my essay writing and research skills. At the same time, I discovered the Gold CREST Award, which seems like a valuable but more time-intensive project. Now I’m deciding whether I should try to do both, or focus on just one.
I would like to study something STEM-related, such as biochemistry or medicine, so I’m trying to choose the best use of my time this summer.

I want to enter the competition as well, do you know how?

Reply 4

jenna90282

Original post

by erixou

After finishing my GCSEs, I’ve been looking for ways to stay productive over the summer. I recently came across an essay competition that’s open until mid-September, offering scholarships ranging from 5% to 100% for summer programmes. I was surprised to see that even the 75% scholarship still requires you to pay thousands of pounds which isn’t worth it, especially as attending the programme doesn’t guarantee you into a top university.
I decided that if I were to enter it would be only for the opportunity to develop my essay writing and research skills. At the same time, I discovered the Gold CREST Award, which seems like a valuable but more time-intensive project. Now I’m deciding whether I should try to do both, or focus on just one.
I would like to study something STEM-related, such as biochemistry or medicine, so I’m trying to choose the best use of my time this summer.

As someone who's done an Immerse course, I would say it depends. If your goal is to improve your essay writing skills, it might not be the best option. However, I do have to say the courses are great in terms of quality. Despite them not being affiliated with Oxbridge directly, almost all tutors and mentors have studied there, and the programme dedicates tons of time to explaining how to improve your chances of getting into Oxbridge. The price is crazy tho so I would say it's only worth it if you do get the scholarship

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