Former Tory MP and Oxbridge graduate Lousie Mensch has encouraged aspirational teenagers to pursue their dreams and apply to top-tier universities in the face of adversity or lack of support from teachers.
The 44-year-old author detailed the inspiring story of how her own sister had become the "first undegraduate ever to arrive at Cambridge with a baby", going on to achieve a 2:1 and becoming the youngest partner to hold a position at her graduate headhunter firm.
She called on both boys and girls to defy their critics, and rallied young women in particular to apply for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths, where female representation in both study and professional fields is lacking.
In a series of tweets posted on Tuesday, Mensch told her almost 100,000 followers to "never ever listen to a teacher who tells you NOT to apply for Oxbridge. Try. Apply."
She added that those who did not make it to one of the top two universities in the UK should not feel disheartened, as they could still "have a wonderful university experience elsewhere", but advised aspiring students to "try and get in to the best university you can".
She went on to explain the story of her sister, Milly, who faced hardship after being expelled from school because she became pregnant and was rejected from Oxford University.
Mensch also gave other examples of famous women who had graduated from STEM fields, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Ameenah Gurib, President of Mauritius.
Her series of supportive message prompted many other Twitter users to post their own experiences, in a bid to encourage others to defy unsupportive superiors.