How I Got Into Physics at Imperial College London: My Application Journey

By Maanas Kishorekumar Byasni

Introduction: Choosing My Path

Applying to study physics at Imperial felt like reaching for the stars—exciting but daunting.

As one of the most prestigious universities for physics—and anything STEM-related—I was

aware the competition would be intense, and I knew I had to stand out.

My journey started much earlier than university application season. Back in grade 9, I began questioning what I wanted to pursue at university. First, it was business and economics, then mechanical engineering, and finally, in grade 10, I decided on physics—and, most importantly, stuck to it!

High School: Laying the Foundation

Subject Choices & Academic Decisions

For GCSEs, I studied a mix of subjects: English, Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Business, and

Travel & Tourism. My parents helped me finalize my choices, but I was certain about my interest in sciences, particularly physics. Coming from a family in the hospitality business, Business and Travel & Tourism were natural choices. I wasn’t keen on medical sciences, so I opted out of Biology. My school had a cap of six subjects, unlike most UK schools where students typically take 9-10 GCSEs.

For A-Levels, I chose English, Maths, Physics, Chemistry, and Business. I also wanted to

take Further Maths, but by this time, my squash career was taking off, and I knew adding

Further Maths would significantly increase my workload, leaving me with less time for

training and competitions.

Deciding on Physics Over Engineering

Throughout my GCSEs, I wasn’t sure about what I wanted to study beyond high school. I

frequently sought advice from academic counselors, seniors, and extended family members.

By the end of my GCSEs, I leaned toward mechanical engineering, but after researching its

curriculum at UK universities, I realized it didn’t excite me—subjects like engineering

drawings didn’t appeal to me as much as the math-heavy subjects like vector calculus.

Physics, on the other hand, was more math-intensive and focused on core knowledge rather than applications. The more I explored physics degree curricula, potential careers, and student experiences, the more convinced I became that physics was the right choice for me.

University Applications: Strengthening My Profile

Building a Strong Supercurricular Portfolio

About 15 months before the UCAS application deadline, I finalized my university and course

choices and started working on my personal statement. The pandemic and lockdowns gave me extra time—I saved two hours daily from commuting and had fewer squash training sessions.

Since I wasn’t taking Further Maths, I knew I was at a potential disadvantage compared to

other applicants. That’s when I came across ‘supercurriculars’—extracurricular activities

directly related to academic interests. I had already been engaging in some, like reading

physics books (e.g., Hawking’s Brief History of Time) and tutoring peers in math and

science.

To further strengthen my application I engaged in further supercurriculars:

1. SAT Subject Tests: To demonstrate my mathematical ability, I took the SAT Math Level 2 Test, along with Physics and Chemistry Subject Tests. This compensated for my lack of Further Maths and served as good preparation for university entrance tests.

   
   

2. Self-Studying A-Level Physics: I self-studied the second year of A-Level Physics and took my exam a year early. This reinforced my physics knowledge and helped me devote more time to prepare for university entrance tests.

   
   

3. Physics Project: Since physics is as much experimental as theoretical, I worked on a solar-powered water-sensor to solve a real-world problem at home—constant overflowing of overhead water tanks despite water-level sensors. I used a photodiode, built a simple circuit, and engineered a system to detect water levels (can’t reveal more as its quite a novel idea!).

Crafting My Personal Statement

First Draft: A Lengthy Process

With all my academic and extracurricular experiences in place, I began drafting my personal statement. I spent an entire month building my first version—starting from scratch, going over the 4000-character limit, then editing and refining it down. After taking a break for a weekend and re-reading it, I was barely happy. It sounded generic and lacked the

achievement-oriented focus I wanted in my personal statement.

Second Draft: Adding Personality & Flow

Since I already had summarized descriptions of my extracurricular and supercurriculars

activities, the second version was much quicker to draft. I spent time crafting a strong hook

and an ‘underlying string’ to weave the essay together, drawing inspiration from movies and

childhood novels I had watched and read. The second version was structurally different from the first but again, I went over the character limit. After multiple rounds of refining, I finally had a version I was happy with.

Feedback & Final Edits

I sent my statement to my English and Physics teachers and a few close friends for critical

feedback. I wanted to ensure that someone unfamiliar with my experiences could follow my

journey and that the essay was easy to read.

Admissions Test & Offer from Imperial

After submitting my UCAS application, I prepared for Imperial’s admissions test. Since my

year was the first to take the test, there were no past papers or sample questions available.

However, we were advised that it would be similar to the first year of A-Level Maths and

Physics.

I sat the admissions test in late January/early February, and it went quite well. I unfortunately

don’t remember the questions, but they weren’t hard; however, I was pressed for time. A few

weeks later, I received my offer!

Now, all that was left for me was to meet the conditions and start my journey at Imperial in a

matter of few months.

Key Takeaways for Future Applicants

1. Start Early

 The earlier you start exploring university courses, the better prepared you’ll be.

 Supercurriculars take time to build, so plan ahead and invest quality time.

2. Go Beyond the Bare Minimum

 Competitive applicants don’t just meet requirements—they exceed them.

 Read beyond your curriculum, take extra tests, and engage in research or projects.

3. Practice Problem-Solving

 Strong analytical skills matter more than memorization.

 Work through challenging physics and math problems—often beyond your

curriculum—to prepare for entrance exams.

4. Stay Calm and Believe in Your Abilities

 Admissions tests and interviews are designed to challenge you, but confidence and

logical reasoning matter just as much as getting the “right” answer.

 Everyone’s journey is different—focus on building a unique profile rather than

comparing yourself to others.

Conclusion: A Journey Worth Taking

Getting into Imperial was one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences of my life.

The journey involved late-night problem-solving sessions, moments of self-doubt, and a lot

of hard work. But in the end, it was all worth it!

If you’re aspiring to study physics at Imperial—or any top university—believe in yourself,

prepare diligently, and don’t be afraid to push your limits. With dedication and strategic

preparation, you can achieve your goal—just like I did!

Good luck with your applications!