Katie was "overwhelmed" when she received the invitation

Katie Gallogly, 16, a pupil at St Andrew's High School in Coatbridge, said it had always been her dream to study at Harvard in Boston.

The university contacted Katie after she achieved high scores in the American college entrance exams.

Katie wants to complete her sixth year at school before deciding whether to pursue a place at Harvard.

The teenager, who is a keen scientist and wants to study medicine, said: "Ever since I was little I always wanted to study and work in America. It is the place of dreams.

"But to get into the best universities there you have to pass the SAT exams. I did an internet search and found out I could register for them on a website called College Board."

Katie prepared for SAT exams in maths and chemistry while also studying for her Highers.

She's a great ambassador for the school and a role model to other pupils

Tom Mills

Head teacher

She was able to sit the exams at a special test centre at Glasgow University and was delighted when she got her results back.

Her marks were in the top five per cent for chemistry and the top three per cent for maths. She also achieved straight A passes in her highers.

Katie said: "I came in from school one day and there was a letter for me. Everyone likes getting post but then I saw it had the Harvard Crest.

"I opened it up and it said they wanted to encourage me to apply to Harvard.

"I was just overwhelmed and so happy."

Childhood dream

Other US universities have also been in touch, encouraging her to consider their international scholarship programmes.

Her mum, Paula Gallogly, 38, said: "When she was nine her teacher at primary school told us that she always talked about going to Harvard.

Katie's mum, Paula, is very proud of her daughter

"America is her dream and that same teacher told us 'Katie will do it'."

Mrs Gallogly added: "My phone bill is going to be sky high this month from phoning everyone I know to tell them about the Harvard letter."

Tom Mills, head teacher at St Andrew's High, said everyone at the school was very proud of Katie.

"She's a young person with exceptional academic ability.

"She's a great ambassador for the school and a role model to other pupils," he added.