OO Annie-May Awarded US University Scholarship

Congratulations to last year’s Head of School Annie May (’24) on being awarded an Athletics Scholarship to study in the US.

Annie-May will be swapping Oakham for Oklahoma when she takes up her place at the University of Tulsa next summer.

 

Why did Annie-May decide to apply to university in the US?

Annie-May had originally planned to study Psychology in the UK following her A-level results, then in August after much consideration, she decided to take a gap year to develop her strengths and explore other options.

A key member of the athletics team at Oakham School, Annie-May joined an athletics club during her gap year and began training and competing regularly. Regularly training at the University of Birmingham and enjoying the experience, this became her top choice of university.

However, in December, after her application was rejected by Birmingham, Annie-May began considering US universities. Reaching out to coaches at multiple Division 1 Universities in the US, Annie worked with the RightTrack sports agency and Oakham Head of Careers Dr Pearson to help with her application. Within days, she received several responses expressing interest.

After speaking to a couple of universities, the coaches at the University of Tulsa were the ones that stood out. Annie-May said: “They showed genuine interest but also presented Tulsa in a way that felt both inviting and promising. As an added bonus they also offered a full scholarship!”

Annie-May’s all-round contribution to Oakham School life helped her application.

Despite Annie-May only specialising in sprinting relatively late in her school athletics career, her all-round contribution to Oakham School life – starring in Drama productions, singing in the choir, captaining the athletics team, and being Head Girl – set her application apart and secured her scholarship offer.

As the head coach at Tulsa observed: “We aren’t just looking for runners; we’re looking for dedicated athletes and students who will thrive in the school as a whole.” He noted that Annie-May’s diverse background in various sports and leadership roles, as well as her ability to achieve good grades, was an asset, not a disadvantage to her scholarship application.

Annie-May’s advice for current students who wish to apply to a US university

Annie-May’s advice for anyone considering making an application to a US university: “If students know they want to apply to America, their first port of call 100% needs to be Dr Pearson. She has been my lifeline through all of this… I could not have done it without her support.”

Annie-May also recommends that students who want to study in America continue with their co-curricular commitments. “The all-rounded nature of my education is what got me my place and scholarship.”

Annie’s memories of athletics at Oakham

Annie speaks fondly of her time as Captain of the Athletics team at Oakham School. “Not only is it the only sport with an almost equal divide of girls and boys but you also have athletes training together from 4th Form to 7th Form. As a result, the friendships this sport creates made ranges across age groups so much more than any other sport and, inevitably, these friendships create a much-needed motivating competition.”

Director of Athletics, Tref Vandoros wrote in the 2023/24 Oakhamian magazine: “Annie has led from the front and the highlight of her time at Oakham was winning back-to-back medals for the Mixed 4x 400m Relay at the National Achilles Relays (‘23&’24). Annie has been a stalwart member of the team, she is incredibly tough and determined; both will serve her well in the future.”

Annie-May’s story reminds us that persistence, a well-rounded background, and the right support can lead to unexpected and exciting opportunities. We wish Annie-May all the best and cannot wait to hear all about her time in the US.

View our Careers and Leavers’ Destinations page for all guidance on university applications and options after leaving Oakham School.