How ACS Cobham prepared Radin for Imperial College London

For Radin, securing a place at Imperial College London is one of the achievements he is most proud of from his time at ACS Cobham.

Originally from Iran, Radin joined ACS as a boarding student and has followed the AP (Advanced Placement) pathway. Alongside the academic challenge, he says his experience has taught him to become a more independent learner,  something he sees as essential preparation for university and beyond.

Taking ownership of his learning

One of the most important skills Radin has developed at ACS is independence.

“I think the most important skill that I learnt at ACS was independent learning and independence,” he says. “I feel like that is really important in life at university and beyond.”

That independence became particularly important when Radin decided to self-study AP Calculus BC as part of his preparation for university.

While the responsibility for learning was his, he wasn’t doing it without support. Radin credits his Grade 11 maths teacher, Mr. Webster, with helping him work towards the results he needed.

“He helped me self-study AP Calculus BC and get the grades that I need to go to university and beyond.”

For Radin, this balance between individual effort and teacher support has been an important part of his academic experience at ACS.

Setting ambitious goals

Radin describes ACS as an academically challenging environment, with a range of curricula that allows students to pursue pathways aligned with their ambitions.

His own goal was Imperial College London, and he sees his progress towards it as the result of both his own commitment and the support available at school.

“If you put in the effort as much as you can, ACS will push you to the place that you want to get in,” he says.

But he is equally clear that students need to take responsibility for getting started.

“The most crucial step is for you to put that effort and give it that kick start for the school to push you.”

It’s an approach that has required Radin to become more self-directed in his learning and prepared to take on academic challenges – habits that will become increasingly important at university.

Learning alongside students from around the world

Academic challenge is only one side of Radin’s ACS experience. As a student from Iran living and studying at an international boarding school, he has also become part of a community made up of students from many different backgrounds.

Asked to describe ACS Cobham in three words, his first is international.

“People from all around the world are united here,” he says.

For Radin, being international is not simply about having different nationalities represented on campus. It is about those students learning, living and building relationships together.

He describes ACS as “one united community” rather than a collection of separate groups.

“Everyone knows everyone else,” he says. “There are certainly groups of people that are closer to each other, but everyone knows everyone else.”

That experience of being part of a connected international community is something Radin will take with him when he moves on to university in London.

A community that supports individual ambitions

When Radin looks back at what he will miss most, it is the people.

“I will probably miss the student community, the social circle around ACS, the small friend group that I have,” he says. “I’ll miss every single person in there.”

He also points to the role teachers and counsellors have played in his experience. While Mr. Webster stands out for his support with AP Calculus BC, Radin says his teachers collectively helped him progress towards his university ambitions.

It is this combination of academic challenge, individual responsibility and support that defines his experience of ACS.

And for students considering joining the school, Radin returns to the international community that has shaped his own time here.

“No matter who you are, no matter where you are, you will definitely not be lonely here,” he says. “You will have friends and it’s going to be a great environment.”

As Radin prepares for Imperial College London, he leaves ACS with the academic preparation to take his next step.

Watch Radin’s full interview: