SHE is already the first in her school to score a place at an American college and the first to gain 10 Highers.

And if Rachel Macrae achieves her ambition, she may even been the first FBI agent to come from Easterhouse.

The Lochend Community High pupil has worked incredibly hard towards her goal of a place at the University of Tampa, Florida.

But the fees for the four year course are $50,000 - more than £38,000 - every year.

The 17-year-old has secured the maximum scholarship amount available but still needs tens of thousands of dollars to make her dream a reality.

Rachel said: "I have always wanted to study in America because of the options you can get over there and I have always wanted to do something in the forensic medicine field.

"There are so many different agencies you can work with in the US - including the FBI, which of course is the main one people think of.

"I'm the first person from my school to get into an American university and when I leave I will be leaving with more qualifications than anyone else at my school.

"But before I can get to America I need to raise the money."

Rachel has had a life long passion for forensics and she is keen to explore the subject at a US college where the depth and breadth of study is greater than what is on offer in the UK.

And she hopes to be a role model for others.

She said: "The field is really male dominated, there aren't a lot of women in STEM so I would like to achieve my goals so that I can encourage other women to do the same."

Rachel will be leaving her Easterhouse school with 10 Highers and one Advanced Higher.

But her studies haven't entirely gone smoothly this year.

She suffered a burst appendix, meaning she needed four weeks off school.

Her teachers made her up folders of work to complete with her mum coming up to Lochend Community High each week to pick them up for her.

While her mum is undeniably proud of her efforts, Rachel said there are also mixed emotions.

She said: "My mum is absolutely devastated that I'm going to be leaving but she's proud and knows it's my dream.

"She has really encouraged me to go for it and knows my options are much better over there."

Rachel applied to several American universities and was delighted to receive an unconditional place at Tampa, her first choice.

Her school has been incredibly supportive with her guidance teacher contacting other schools where pupils have gone off to America to seek advice.

The school also helped Rachel sit the ACT exam - an additional step necessary to gain entry to a US college.

Rachel said she has been in contact with Tampa University to ask for advice and support but now needs to make up her funding shortfall.

Head teacher David McArthur said: "We are so proud of Rachel and what she's achieved and we are really hoping that people will come forward to help out with financial support so she can realise her dream."

To help see: www.gofundme.com/f/7dmek-university-in-america