Redbridge woman joins Harvard: that's right, the university

A young woman from Redbridge is living the dream after she was accepted at Harvard University, one of the most prestigious universities in the world.

Jessica Ugbomah Farley recently made the leap across the pond when she enrolled at Harvard, a private Ivy League university in Boston, Massachusetts.

Harvard, founded in 1636, is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States and is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious universities in the world. It boasts former students such as Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft and philanthropist, and Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States and Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

 Jessica was previously a student at Woodford County High School for Schools, where she sat her A-Levels.  

Despite facing challenging circumstances throughout her life, Jessica's resilience shone through. Her hard work and dedication paid off when she landed a full scholarship to Harvard worth just under $400,000. Jessica's journey was not without its hurdles, but her determination and perseverance led her to this remarkable achievement.

Harvard University, known for its rigorous admissions process, received a staggering 54,008 applications last year and offered offers to only 1,937 students, a mere 3.59 per cent acceptance rate. This is in stark contrast to the University of Oxford's acceptance rate of about 17 per cent.

Jessica excels academically and manages various extracurricular activities, such as competitive football and a successful YouTube channel.

Jessica has adjusted remarkably well to life at Harvard, double majoring in economics and computer science. She has also got into HUFPI (Harvard Undergraduate Foreign Policy Initiative), where she will be working on revoking anti-homosexuality policies in Uganda.

Jessica said of her experience so far, “This is a dream come true for me. Not in my wildest dreams did I think I would ever end up studying at one of the world’s most famous universities. You read about it a lot and see it in films, so it still feels surreal to be here in those hallowed halls.

“It’s wonderful being around so many brilliant students and academics from all over the world. It shows what you can achieve if you have a dream and are prepared to work hard, put in the hours and make sacrifices along the way."

Cllr Lloyd Duddridge, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: "We have some genuinely brilliant young people in Redbridge, many of whom will go on to achieve great things in the bright futures that lay ahead for them.

"Jessica's acceptance into Harvard is a rare and remarkable feat. It is a testament to the potential and talent that exists within our community, and we are incredibly proud of her."

“Despite the challenges and adversity she has undoubtedly faced in her journey, she has never given up and kept pushing forward. Jessica should be incredibly proud of everything she has accomplished. She has a bright and exciting future ahead of her.”