93% Club Society: Vice President

Hi everyone, my name’s Leo and I’m a third-year history student, currently on my year abroad. I’d absolutely love the opportunity to be your 93% Club Society Vice-President for 2024/25.

Coming from a state school in Essex, I am well aware of how tough and isolating UCL can feel for a state-school student; I’m in my third year of uni and I still experience culture shocks sometimes. As Vice-President, I would be wholly committed to fostering a welcoming and supportive environment for state school students to meet at social events and over group chats. Additionally, I have significant experience in organising and running successful speaker events from my previous role as President of UCL Labour Society, so I believe I would be a valuable member of the committee in this capacity, too.

I’m no stranger to the 93% Club, either. I’ve been a member since 2021, and attended the 2023 Social Mobility Factory. Their mission is very close to my heart and it would honestly be a privilege to be a part of it at UCL.

In my role as Labour Society President, and Vice-President prior to that, I became very familiar with SU guidelines and rules, holding events and what it takes to run a successful student society. Because of this experience, I believe I would be uniquely positioned to help assist the principal officers in their duties and support the society as a whole.

Thanks for reading, and I hope I have your vote!

About me:

• I'm Samir, a first year BSc Social Sciences student and I am currently the first year representative for UCL’s 93% Club.
• I went to a non selective state secondary school and sixth form college, so I can relate to you if you have had a PE teacher for Maths or there being a fight in the classroom next door to mention a few of many issues my school had.
• I come from a diverse background being a person of colour (bit obvious), being half Filipino and half Bengali but being born and bred in the UK.
• I want to pursue a career in commercial law, currently being mentored by a top US law firm for the next three years and already securing places on open days and first year schemes, including firms that sponsor the 93% Club.

Why you should vote for me?

• As I am already on the committee for the society as the first year representative, I already have experience being on the committee and understand the workings and behind the scenes of the society.
• I will make sure your voices and concerns are heard and discussed amongst other committee members, no matter how small (or big) they are, to ensure that the society can be the best it can for you.
• I have been interested in social mobility and the education system since sixth form when I wrote my EPQ dissertation (half an A-Level equivalent) on state v private school education. At UCL, I have tailored most of my essays towards state school education within the respective discipline. 

Nobody else from my school came to UCL (love you SFX). This is an experienced shared for many state school students, 93% Club is a place where these students can feel more at home and being at University a less daunting experience. 

Through my second year I was Social Sec for another society at UCL, I will use my experiences to bring better socials for 93% and carry on the great work done by Annie and Chloe. Further, I believe collaboration with other societies is the best way to grow societies, next year I will organise joint socials with UCL Labour and other societies I hope to grow 93% Club. The increased funding next year will allow us to do more exciting socials, the idea of a State School Only Ball could materialise next year. The number one thing 93% needs is more exposure throughout the University, I will work with the future president to get the word out. We should be prouder of our state school backgrounds!

Together we can break the divide between State School Students and students from 'big posh schools'.