In Conversation with Sam Bankole: Third-year Law Undergraduate, Former ACS President and Oxbridge Access Advocate

Over the past two years, third-year law undergraduate Sam Bankole has accrued an impressive set of extracurricular activities. From featuring in Future Leaders, to running the Oxford African and Caribbean Society, to writing and directing student theatre – it’s a wonder he manages to get any work done in the hours between. And yet, Sam was also one of our 2023 Scholars, after achieving a distinction in his first-year Moderations. We chatted to Sam to find out more about his achievements, his passion for access to university, and what it’s like to be a student here at Pembroke.

At the end of last year, Sam was featured in the 2023-24 edition of Future Leaders, an annual publication which aims to recognise 150 of the most outstanding Black university students in Britain, with the goal of inspiring and raising attainment across the UK. With this goal in mind, Future Leaders also includes several features on access to university, particularly Oxbridge, and it was in an article on the latter that Sam made an appearance, sharing his expertise on applying to Oxford and lifting the fog of mystery that so often surrounds the university. Titled ‘Changing Oxford’, Sam’s feature walks readers through the Oxford application process, discussing his experiences with interviews and sharing tips on making the process as enjoyable as possible. You can read the full feature here (pp. 66-7).

This commitment to access extends beyond the pages of Future Leaders, something evident throughout our conversation. Sam has worked as one of Pembroke’s student ambassadors, a group of students who help the College engage in outreach work to encourage all talented individuals to apply to Pembroke, regardless of background. Interview and application prep for applicants; tours; and school Open Days are some of Sam’s responsibilities as a student ambassador; he urges others to consider applying for the role. He has also been involved with other Access and Outreach Programmes at Pembroke, including OxNet and Thinking Black.

Sam’s own first choice college was actually St Catherine’s, as a result of an outreach day he participated in before applying. It was the familiarity of St Catz that encouraged him to apply, but he admits he would now rather be here than there. “Oxford seemed unattainable and idealistic to start with,” Sam told us, which seems to have been part of the appeal of a more modern college. “But it was not like that at all upon getting here – the people here are not as elite or pretentious as they may seem.”

“I did underestimate the amount of work, though,” he laughed, although his exam results would suggest he’s risen to the challenge.

At the end of his first year, Sam decided to run for President of the African and Caribbean Society, a society that has meant a lot to him since before he even arrived at Oxford. “I first got involved in Year 13,” he shared, explaining that ACS organises outreach events for Black students, one of which he attended in sixth form. “We did one over Christmas last year for Year 9 to Year 11 students – a sort of conference where students could attend and talk about higher education.” He also mentioned the annual Offer Holder Day organised by the ACS, where students who have received offers to study here are invited to Oxford for tours of colleges, taster lectures and other activities. “A lot of people who attend this day do end up getting in,” he said, and suggested the taste of Oxford life is good motivation for students who may be unsure about whether Oxford is for them, even after receiving an offer. “You realise this is something you can do.”

Beyond outreach events, ACS also offers a range of social events for its members, including welfare events, hair-braiding, club nights, pub quizzes, and careers workshops too. “It’s all-encompassing,” Sam said. “But it’s also a lot of work!” 

Sam explains that it was a privilege to be able to hold such an important role, mentioning how, at his Year 13 ACS outreach day, he thought it would be “so cool” to be in that position. 

You’d be forgiven for thinking, outside of all of this, Sam must struggle to have the time for a fulfilling social life. Apparently that isn’t the case – “I’ve only missed two bops since I started here,” he laughed. He’s equally a regular at the range of other events held by the JCR, having enjoyed trips to Junkyard Golf, quizzes and of course the annual Garden Party. He also finds time for other hobbies, writing for the Oxford Student and doing photography for events including the Isis Magazine’s Launch last Trinity.

It’s clear throughout our conversation that despite the hard work they entail, Sam is extremely grateful for the opportunities he’s been given. Now, having handed his role over to the new ACS committee, Sam is a few months into his Year Abroad in the Netherlands. 

We wish him all the best for the rest of his year in the Netherlands, and look forward to seeing where these opportunities take him next!