Ewan wins Harvard scholarship after £250,000 dare

Ewan Foster, from Tadcaster, will embark on a four-year bachelor of arts and science degree at the famous American university this year having turned down offers from both Oxford and Yale.

He celebrated success as he picked up an A* in chemistry and A grades in maths and biology on A-level results morning at St Aidan’s and St John Fisher Associated Sixth Form in Harrogate.

However the pressure was off for him as he had already secured a place at Harvard after impressing at interview.

The 18-year-old from Tadcaster said: “Neither of my parents went to university, so I wanted to work as hard as I could through school so that I could be the first in the family to get a degree.

“My dad actually dared me to apply abroad for a university place at the same time as I applied for the Oxbridge courses.

“The university paid for me to attend two interviews, and will be sponsoring my tuition fees and full board for the whole four years. I will pick twenty subjects over the four years and will probably major in science in the first year. Even though I was offered places at Oxford and Yale Universities, I liked the idea of a Harvard degree. I’m really looking forward to it and feel extremely fortunate to be given this opportunity. It will be a great adventure.”

Paul Jackson, head of St John Fisher Catholic High School where Ewan was a pupil before joining the joint sixth form, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that Ewan’s academic achievements have been recognised by three of the world’s top universities.

“It is testament to the fact that a good education and a combination of focus, hard work and individual spirit can present extraordinary opportunities.

“Ewan is a very gifted, sociable and highly regarded student and we wish him all the best. We are sure that he will immensely enjoy his time at Harvard and are convinced that he will achieve great things in his future career.”