URMSTON Grammar student, Laura Harris, spent part of her summer holidays at one of the world's most famous seats of learning - Yale University.

She was one of 175 British students, from 2,300 applicants, who visited top American universities following a rigorous selection process.

Set up to give more students from state schools the chance to get into the world's top universities, the social mobility charity, Sutton Trust, organised this fabulous excursion to The States.

Laura’s journey to Yale was no easy ride.

As part of the application process, Laura had to write a number of essays, the essence of which was to paint a picture of what made Laura uniquely Laura and so made her an ideal candidate to benefit from a stateside experience of university life. In addition to this written self-portrait, a video presentation also had to be submitted: Laura’s documented her favourite extra-curricular activities.

From the original 2,300 applicants, Laura was one of just 200 students who – on the basis of their essay and video work - were then invited on an all-expenses-paid trip to London.

Laura's trip of a lifetime was rounded off by a journey to New York City, where Laura was particularly struck by her visits to Time Square and to Ground Zero.