Multiple choice test for top NZ scholar

Emily Adlam topped the scholarship exams and has been accepted into Harvard, Princeton and Oxford. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Emily Adlam may breeze through physics and statistics problems, but she is having difficulty with her latest brain twister - whether to go to Harvard, Princeton or Oxford.

The former Diocesan School student, who topped the country in last year's scholarship exams, has been accepted into all three elite universities to study physics and philosophy in September.

She has until May 1 to make up her mind.

"It's a pretty big choice to make really," she said.

Emily applied to the universities because they all had highly regarded science research departments, but she did not realise she would get into all three.

Before taking off overseas she is completing one semester at Auckland University and said she was loving her introduction to university life.

Because her parents live in England she has had an opportunity to visit Oxford, which she said was "a lovely city, so beautiful".

When she spoke to the Herald yesterday, she was leaning towards going to Oxford to be near her family.

As well as an impressive science school, the university has strong debating, music and creative writing groups that she would love to join.

At 18, she is an accomplished musician, debater and poet and is writing her fifth novel.

Last year Emily topped the country in physics, statistics and Latin and gained scholarships in these subjects, as well as in calculus, English and chemistry.

On May 14, Emily will travel to Wellington to pick up her top scholar award from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. She and her two guests - her grandparents - will also get a tour of Parliament.

Emily's other achievements include a rare Royal Society of New Zealand Gold Crest award for a renewable-energy research project she completed last year and being the top-scoring New Zealander at last year's Chemistry Olympiad in Budapest.

Last year she gained A plus marks for two papers she studied through Auckland University.