Anyone who has applied to the UK’s top universities knows how gruelling the process can be - and how crushing it is if you are turned down.
But when Claudia Vulliamy received a rejection letter from Oxford University this week, the 18-year-old turned it into an incredible piece of art - and inspired thousands of people online.
Since Claudia’s mum Louisa Saunders posted a photo of the work on Twitter yesterday, it has been shared more than 51,000 times, while a further 158,000 people have liked the image.
A keen artist, Claudia decided to put a positive spin on the situation by turning it into an abstract art piece.
“Obviously it’s a bit disappointing to be rejected,” Claudia, who applied to study Classics, said.
“But it’s rare to get a personal letter from Oxford and it seemed quite monumental.”
Hundreds of people have commented on the post, sharing their admiration for Claudia’s artwork and attitude:
“I wouldn’t have thought that not getting into Oxford would make such an exciting week for me,” Claudia added.
“It’s so nice to hear what people have been saying about it, especially considering how brutal social media can sometimes be.”
The teen has even received offers online to buy the creation - but her mum has said the piece will definitely be hung in the family home.
Claudia now plans to study at Durham University, where she has been offered a place.
To see more of the teen’s work, visit her Instagram page.