A TEENAGE student is flying to America to fulfil an ambition.

Emma Humphries, 19, from Widnes, fought stiff competition from 1,600 applicants to win a place and a funding to study at Smith College.

Last summer, she was one of 150 students selected for a summer school as part of the Sutton Trust’s US programme.

The Cronton sixth former spent a few days at Yale and visited Harvard, Princeton and Columbia to gain an insight into the American university system.

Emma, of Gloucester Road, Farnworth said: “Smith College has been my top choice university so I am absolutely ecstatic to have been admitted with such an amazing financial aid award.

“Studying in the US definitely wouldn't have been a realistic option for me without the Sutton Trust.

“Their guidance and support was so valuable in helping me to achieve my goal.

“Being on the programme was such an amazing and inspiring opportunity, I can't wait to begin my studies.”

Former Wade Deacon pupil Emma is one of 43 students who have been selected.

The Sutton Trust aims to encourage academically talented, low and middle income British students to consider studying in America.

Dr Luke MacMahon, head of the prestigious universities programme at Cronton said: “We are all incredibly proud of Emma’s achievement.

“Our aim is to give the college’s most talented students the opportunity to realise their academic potential.

“In gaining a place to study at an outstanding American university Emma has epitomised this objective.”

Applications for this year’s programme can be completed online at us.suttontrust.com before the end of January.