Skip to main content

Go to our other sites

Change language / country

Cambridge Assessment International Education

Main navigation

  • About us

    About us

    • What we do
    • Our management team
    • Our regional teams
    • Our standards
    • Careers
    • Examiners
    • Our history
  • Why choose us

    Why choose us

    • Benefits of a Cambridge education
    • Where do Cambridge qualifications take you?
    • Support for schools
    • Information for parents and students
    • Find a Cambridge school
    • Online education
    • Join Cambridge
    • Cambridge Associates
    • The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award
    spacer
    Material from Join Cambridge Welcome pack

    Join Cambridge

    Find out how to become a Cambridge school

  • Programmes &
    qualifications

    Programmes & qualifications

    • Cambridge Early Years

      • Curriculum
      • Become a Cambridge Early Years centre
    • Cambridge Primary

      • Assessment
      • Curriculum
    • Cambridge Lower Secondary

      • Assessment
      • Curriculum
    • Cambridge Upper Secondary

      • Cambridge IGCSE
      • Cambridge O Level
    • Cambridge Advanced

      • Cambridge International AS & A Level
      • Cambridge Pre-U
      • Cambridge AICE Diploma
      • Cambridge IPQ
    • Other

      • Recognition and acceptance
      • Cambridge Global Perspectives
      • Bilingual education
  • Exam
    administration

    Exam administration

    • Cambridge Exams Officers' Guide

      • Phase 1 - Preparation
      • Phase 2 - Entries
      • Phase 3 - Coursework and Moderation
      • Phase 4 - Before the exam
      • Phase 5 - Exam day
      • Phase 6 - Results and certificates
    • Information for schools about Covid-19

      • June 2023
      • November 2023

    Other

      • What to expect on exam day
      • Results
      • Private candidates
  • Support & training
    for schools

    Support & training for schools

    Support and resources

    • Teaching and learning during Covid-19
    • Support for teachers
    • Support for new schools
    • Teaching Cambridge at your school
    • Endorsed resources
    • Communications toolkit

    Professional development and conferences

    • Professional development
    • Professional development calendar
    • Cambridge Professional Development Qualifications
    • Cambridge Schools Conference

    Other support

    • Resource Plus
    • Test Maker
    • Cambridge Personal Styles Questionnaire
    • Great teaching toolkit
  • News & blog

    News & blog

    • Latest news
    • Blog
    • Newsletters
    • Sign up to our eNewsletters
    • Media contacts
    • What's new
    spacer
    Cambridge Outlook magazine front cover

    Cambridge Outlook magazine

    Keep up to date with news from Cambridge and its schools around the world.

  • Help

Programmes & Qualifications

  • United States of America
    • Celinie Nguyen
    • Erika Anderson
    • Hassaan Idrees
    • Jenna Everard
    • Maggie Jiang
    • Nureldin
    • Ravishankar Yadav
    • Sher Chhi Ly
  • United States of America
    • Celinie Nguyen
    • Erika Anderson
    • Hassaan Idrees
    • Jenna Everard
    • Maggie Jiang
    • Nureldin
    • Ravishankar Yadav
    • Sher Chhi Ly
  • Home
  • Programmes and qualifications
  • Recognition and acceptance
  • Cambridge International alumni
  • United States of America
  • Jenna Everard

Jenna Everard

Barnard College, Columbia University, USA

Jenna Everard

Quick facts

University: Barnard College, Columbia University, USA, to study both computer science and environmental biology

School: Juanita High School, Washington State, USA

Studied:
Cambridge International AS & A Levels
in Maths, Biology, English Literature, History
Cambridge International AS Levels in Global Perspectives & Research, English Language

Future plans: Scientific research in environmental biology

When a student at Juanita High School, in Washington State USA, Jenna Everard opted to study the advanced mathematics Cambridge Programme pathway, comprising Cambridge International AS & A Levels in Maths, Biology, English Literature and History, together with AS Levels in Global Perspectives & Research and English Language. 'The variety of courses helped me determine what to study at university,' said Jenna, 'especially the amazing combination of text book and hands-on learning I experienced during my biology studies which made me decide that I wanted to pursue environmental biology.'

Jenna applied to Barnard College, part of New York City’s Columbia University, to study both environmental biology and computer science, with the long term aim of undertaking scientific research. As she moved from school to university, Jenna’s Cambridge qualifications gave her a number of advantages: ‘At Barnard College, my Cambridge International A Levels earned me 15 college credits - the maximum amount available and equivalent to one semester,’ she said. ‘When I started my courses I also gained exemptions from some classes, such as entry level biology and calculus courses, accelerating my studies and giving me the opportunity to explore more higher level courses while on my degree pathway.’

The breadth, depth and detail of the Cambridge syllabuses proved excellent preparation for university study, added Jenna. 'The courses allowed me to thrive at university, even in my fast-paced and intensive biology degree course, and helped me to develop good planning and time management skills. The Cambridge focus on applying knowledge rather than just learning it also helped me gain a greater understanding of my course topics. In addition, I was used to revising for, and taking, extensive – cumulative – Cambridge exams so I felt well prepared for university assessment.'

After graduating (in 2023), Jenna plans to pursue a PhD in geochemistry and eventually a career as a research scientist and college professor. ‘In line with this, I currently work as a geochemistry research assistant at Columbia University’s Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory,’ she said. 'I’m investigating the timing of past earthquakes, especially around the San Andreas Fault and the Japan Trench.'

Jenna says that she continues to benefit from the skills gained during her Cambridge studies: 'Cambridge places an equal weight on STEM and humanities subjects, which is one reason why I wanted to go to a liberal arts university like Barnard College. Cambridge demonstrated the importance of all subjects in any career, and that most fields are intricately intertwined.'

In particular, Jenna highlights the influence of her Cambridge International Global Perspectives & Research (GPR) AS Level course: ‘Firstly, GPR greatly increased my confidence in public speaking, something which I did not enjoy at school but by the time I entered university I loved it! I still apply the skills I gained during GPR in my own research projects but perhaps most importantly, GPR gave me the freedom to choose my own study path which led me to explore - and develop a passion for - the world of genetics. This eventually led to a research assistant position in medical genetics at Columbia University Medical Center studying the genetic causes of hearing loss.’

These are the reasons are why Jenna continues to recommend Cambridge qualifications to other students: 'If you put in the effort required to succeed in the Cambridge programme, then you will develop the discipline and skills you need to reach your academic and career goals.'

Tell your story - We’d love to hear about your university journey. Please complete the form and we’ll be in touch.

About us

  • What we do
  • Help
  • Our social media channels

Useful links

  • Join Cambridge
  • Book a training course
  • Communications toolkit
  • Log in to secure sites
  • Careers
Cambridge University Press & Assessment logo

View Related Sites

  • School Support Hub
  • Cambridge Primary support site
  • Cambridge Lower Secondary support site
  • Cambridge International Direct
  • Submit for Assessment
  • Online Learning – professional development
  • Assessment Specialist support site
  • Online Learning – student support

© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2023

  • Sitemap
  • ISO 9001 Certificate
  • Privacy and legal
  • Accessibility and standards
  • Statement on Modern Slavery
  • Contact us
Back to top
We use cookies. By clicking any link on this page you are giving your consent for us to set cookies Accept