TWO science students are celebrating after winning summer school places at one of America’s top universities.

Maegan Pratt and Rahim Raja fought stiff competition from more than 1,000 applicants to be accepted on the prestigious Sutton Trust US Programme.

The 17-year-old Cronton College sixth formers were selected for the international residentials after successfully passing weekend interviews in London.

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

The pair were inspired to apply after meeting former Cronton student Emma Humphries who is now in her first year studying liberal arts at Smith College and is loving life in the USA.

The 19-year-old from Gloucester Road, Widnes came home to talk to students on the Prestigious Universities Programme about her experience.

This programme helps to prepare students for the rigorous entrance exams and interviews at top universities in the UK and abroad.

Former Wade Deacon pupil Maegan will be flying for the first time to spend a week at the Ivy League Yale University in Connecticut.

Rahim has been awarded a place at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The pair will also visit other universities including the Harvard University fair to gain insight and support into the USA university application process and financial support.

Maegan, from Hough Green, said: “I was so excited when I received the e-mail telling me that I had received a place on the USA programme.

“I already feel like the programme has given me a lot more self-esteem because it forced me out of my comfort zone.

“I made lots of new friends at the application weekend in London and I am looking forward to seeing them again in America in July.”

Rahim, from Great Sankey, said: “I was very excited. Not only had I been accepted but I had also received my first choice of university.

“The whole process has already heightened my ambitions and made my dreams of studying in America more realistic. It has also given me the motivation to work really hard so that I can achieve the results needed.”

Cronton College physics tutor Paul Jackson said: “I am delighted for both Maegen and Rahim.

“They are two of our most dedicated science students and it is fabulous that they have secured a place on the Sutton Trust USA programme.

“They will both benefit hugely from this experience. It will help them to make important decisions when deciding on universities to apply for in the future.”