Essay excellence recognised by Cambridge college

An essay written by one of our Sixth Formers has been selected as “highly commended” in a competition organised by Lucy Cavendish College at the University of Cambridge. 

Avi Sengupta (L6LES) is studying A Level Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology, as well as AS Level Further Maths, and he hopes to go on to study Medicine at Cambridge.

He entered his essay, which was on the very relevant topic of the ethics of compulsory vaccinations, for the Cottrell Essay Prize in Medicine and Veterinary Medicine and was delighted to receive an email commending him on his work. 

The essay was judged against a number of very specific criteria, including originality in approach and argument. Following detailed research, Avi concluded in his essay that addressing the underlying causes of low vaccine uptake would provide better long-term outcomes than compulsory vaccination. 

Avi’s Biology teacher, Mr Parkes, wasn’t surprised that the essay received such high praise from the judges: “It was an exceptionally good essay, and Avi’s achievement is even more impressive as this was something he did under his own steam. He wanted to get more experience of essay writing, found this competition online and entered.”

Avi will now attend a virtual prize giving ceremony, hosted by Dame Madeleine Atkins, the President of Lucy Cavendish College on July 27. 

You can read Avi’s essay here.