Former student Chloe Smith who left us last summer, recently came to visit on her return to the UK to see family. Chloe was successful in getting a place studying Mechanical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in USA (MIT).
Chloe decided she wanted to study at MIT when she was in year 10, and by the time she joined Elliott Hudson College she was extremely focussed on achieving her goal to get into her dream university.
“Studying in America gave me further flexibility in creating my own major (degree) as I wanted to do both robotics and artificial intelligence. Most of the programs in England would’ve made me choose between robotics and artificial intelligence before having any proper experience of either.”
Chloe Smith, Elliott Hudson College class of 2021.
The offer of a ‘different kind’ of university experience to that in the UK was also a big draw for Chloe. The experience she has had with other activities alongside her studies has so far been great. Chloe continues:
“In America, there is a huge emphasis on sports, other extra-curricular activities and academic competitions. I’m a varsity rifle shooter for MIT which has been my absolute favourite activity. We practice for about 8 hours a week and go to competitions against other schools on weekends.” She has recently visited West Point, New York to compete in the MAC (Mid-Atlantic Conference) championship. “Outside of practice, I’m part of the debate team so I often debate against various Ivy League schools, and I compete in robotics competitions like BattleBots and Pac-Man tournaments. In addition, I work part-time at MIT’s nuclear reactor as an operative.”
Chloe hasn’t found it hard to make friends either:
“It was something I was nervous about when moving to America. I have plenty of friends from various activities and classes, but my main friendship group is my rifle team. We do almost everything together and there is always somebody willing to do absolutely anything you want. One of the most recent things we did was a huge nerf gun war in the tunnels underneath MIT – even professors got involved. You name it and we’ve probably got it!”
There were a number of people across college who helped Chloe achieve her dream but those who supported her specifically with her applications and entrance exams were Careers Advisor Mrs Medlock and Mr Muranka from our Alliance team.
“It was lovely to catch up with Chloe when she came into college at the start of the year. I am so proud of everything she has achieved, and I know will she continue to go from strength to strength during her time at MIT.”
Mrs Medlock, Careers Advisor at Elliot Hudson College.“MIT is absolutely great fit for Chloe, and I was so pleased to hear about all the different activities she has got involved with alongside her studies. The USA way of life and studying there is definitely suiting her!”
Mr Muranka, Head of Alliance at Elliott Hudson College.
Chloe is due to graduate in 2025 and we are sure that we haven’t heard the last of her. We can’t wait to follow her journey and wish her all the best.