Charlotte Thun-Hohenstein, 17, says that she is not yet ready to decide whether to pursue a science or an arts subject when she goes to university.

She is taking A levels in chemistry, maths, Latin and history, plus AS-level art, and would love to continue studying as many of them as possible at degree level.

Charlotte, who attends St Paul’s Girls’ School in Hammersmith, West London, is applying only to universities in the United States because they offer a broader curriculum and do not force students to specialise until after the first year. She has applied to seven American universities, including Yale, Harvard, Princeton and Georgetown.

She said: “I want to go to the US because I don’t know what to study. I enjoy both arts and sciences. Cutting down from GCSEs to A levels was difficult as I like so many different areas of education.

“The US is much broader. They encourage you to take many courses and you end up choosing a major. In the first year you explore what interests you.

“I’m not applying to any British universities. I want to go to the US because of the breadth of study and also the extracurricular life.

“I love singing, music in general, and community service. My friend and I have set up a choir at a local primary school, and we lead discussions on ethical and moral issues and organise creative activities for the lower school. I play piano in a swing band and sing in school productions.

“I think there is more on offer in the US and the opportunities are more diverse.

“There is still a huge difference in the US and British fees, but I’m very lucky I don’t have to worry about that. The US universities do have incredibly extensive financial support for those who need it.

“I hope that there’s a strong international community wherever I end up studying.”

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