Student comments and profiles

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Preconceptions about Cambridge College life The studying Social life Financial concerns Support and advice Admissions interviews	International students Students with a disability Music Award-holders Ethnic minority students

Preconceptions about Cambridge
	Whatever your expectations of Cambridge, they will be exceeded. Academically, it's the best, and nowhere can you experience such a vast range of activities or meet such a diverse range of people. I was so apprehensive about what I would find at such a historic university that I almost didn't apply; I'm eternally grateful that I didn't make that mistake. Your university years are often said to be the best of your life; spend them in Cambridge and see for yourself. Laura, CUSU President
	I had the stereotypical image of Cambridge as an archaic institution, but now that I’m here I realise that I couldn’t have been more wrong – there are people from all walks of life, and although people work hard, there’s a positive and encouraging work ethos, and the opportunities that present themselves to me are endless. Elise, W Yorkshire
	I was concerned that there may be a divide between state and public school people but was very pleased to find that I couldn’t even tell where most people came from and no one really cares – they’re more interested in getting to know you. Gareth, Lancashire

College life
	I love the atmosphere of being in a small College where most people know each other or at the very least know of each other. It’s also great that you can get involved in sport and clubs at college level if you don’t have the time (or indeed the prowess!) to compete at university level. But you can still join University societies, like CU Radio, and meet more people. Ebuwa, Cheshire
	Visiting the Colleges I realised that the University was actually full of normal people from normal backgrounds just like me. The first time I walked into the College where I am now studying, I knew that this was a place that I wanted to spend three years of my life. Rachel, Lincoln
	The people on my corridor became instant friends and we quickly developed a group spirit. In addition, singing in the chapel choir and playing orchestras provided many more opportunities to socialise. Ciarran, Merthyr Tydfil
	I had no idea what the College system was about until I started my degree here. As it turned out, I was pooled and, from my experience, any notions of 'which College is best' actually seem to disappear as soon as you arrive and start to become a part of your new College community. Belinda, S London

The studying
	For me I really wanted to study what interests me, confident the career will find itself. There is an insane amount of independent reading, and the lectures help make sense of the inevitable confusion. I write three essays for each of the four subjects a term, and then in pairs we get to discuss these essays and any questions with our supervisors. Richard, South Africa
	Although it very much depends on which areas you study, work tends (for me) to consist of one essay per week, plus translations for language subjects I'm doing, and background reading for the lectures and essays. For someone as lazy as me, this is a lot; but you get used to it after a while! Emily, W London
	One may worry that a seemingly obscure degree would limit one’s career progression but I have found that it hinders one no more than any other humanities degree such as History or English. Indeed ASNC can be asset as it distinguishes one from the crowd. Edd, Derby

Social life
	One of the first things I was told was “Work hard and play hard.” This is definitely the way to do things here. There’s a club for just about anything in Cambridge and if there isn’t one for your particular thing, its dead easy to set one up. I’m a member of the Automobile Club, the Hill Walking Club and the Assassins Guild (Google this too, it’s good fun but will make you seriously paranoid!) Dave, Sheffield
	I wanted to play in an orchestra here and there are loads of musical opportunities. I've also had a go at the traditional rowing, which is fun but requires seriously early mornings. I've done some dancing and I play squash at the College courts. Abigail, Birmingham
	You have time to get involved with activities outside your studies... you make time for them! In the History Tripos I studied ancient Greece and Rome at the same time as studying the world wars in Europe! I also play football, rugby and am on the College JCR exec so manage to keep myself busy! John, Co Antrim

Financial concerns
	The Colleges in general are very generous, and will help out with cash for books etc if you provide receipts. The best thing to do is just ask. The best way to cope is to be sensible and know what you’re spending. If you realise you’re spending too much, then do what some of my friends did, which is to take out a certain amount of money at the beginning of the week and make sure they used only that. Dave, N Yorkshire
	I think money was the one thing that worried me most before I came to college, but I’ve found that College are definitely helpful, and keep me up to date with what money is available and who is eligible to apply. I wish I’d known then that there was so much support available money wise, because I wouldn’t have worried about it at all, and worried more about the colour of my new duvet set instead! Hannah, Gloucester
	I qualified for an Isaac Newton Bursary from the University, and an Access Bursary and rent rebate from my College - this has meant that it's been easier for my here financially than it would have been elsewhere! My tutor has been incredibly helpful when it has come to sorting out my finances. Peter, Lancashire
	As a sports-woman, kit and subs can be quite expensive; and it is a shame to have to stop doing something because you are unable to afford it. So I really appreciate that there are University and College and subject trusts willing to assist students. Rachel, Sierra Leone and Hertfordshire

Support and advice
	My concerns (before I came up) were mainly health related, and I have been grateful for support from my tutor, especially when I had to spend a year in hospital. I returned for 3rd year in much better health. Linda, Solihull
	The Cambridge Careers Service has been fantastic. I've found it an invaluable resource in finding temporary vacation work and for self-development to suit my legal career choice. I've been to workshops on law interviews for non-lawyers and effective application form filling. Tola, S London

Admissions interviews
	I hadn’t had any interview practice before so didn’t really know what to expect, but had a quick look over my AS Level notes beforehand. I had two interviews, the first of which was a relaxed chat about me and my interests. The second was a subject (Physics) specific interview, where we went through some questions. I found this quite challenging, but the interviewer helped me work through them when I got stuck, so there was nothing to panic about! Mandeep, Lancashire
	The best interview preparation I had was sitting with a teacher, randomly talking about Classical matters, really getting to think outside the boundaries of A level. The interview was informal and interesting. It just felt like a passionate discussion between two people with a shared love of Classics. Jane, Surrey
	The interviewers do not try to trip candidates up with questions and they are more interested in an eagerness to learn rather than what can be memorised from a textbook. I left both interviews feeling as though I had done myself justice. Simon, N London (Leytonstone)
	I thoroughly enjoyed both interviews - at last I had been given a chance to talk about my subject to others who were interested in it. They were challenging, really making me think and question my opinions and statements - much like a supervision. Sharon, Hertfordshire

International students
	Coming to Cambridge is an invaluable experience – there is so much support for International students in the University, college and societies. I did wonder “Am I good enough” but supervisions are helpful, and when you are surrounded by hard-working people you are pushed to work hard yourself. There are people from all over the world here, with varied experiences. There’s always someone to talk to, and much mutual support. Antonio, Macau
	I have always wanted to study in the UK because it has such a rich history and character. Unsurprisingly, Cambridge was my first choice as it gives me the opportunity to live in a town that brims with history. That and its many traditions make it unique! Rowing, May balls, formal halls etc. The teaching system was also one of my reasons for applying to Cambridge. I wanted more personal attention, which I get from supervisions. Lay Ping, Malaysia

International students

Coming to Cambridge is an invaluable experience – there is so much support for International students in the University, college and societies. I did wonder “Am I good enough” but supervisions are helpful, and when you are surrounded by hard-working people you are pushed to work hard yourself. There are people from all over the world here, with varied experiences. There’s always someone to talk to, and much mutual support.

Antonio, Macau

I have always wanted to study in the UK because it has such a rich history and character. Unsurprisingly, Cambridge was my first choice as it gives me the opportunity to live in a town that brims with history. That and its many traditions make it unique! Rowing, May balls, formal halls etc. The teaching system was also one of my reasons for applying to Cambridge. I wanted more personal attention, which I get from supervisions.

Lay Ping, Malaysia

Students with a disability
full profile	I enjoyed being a deaf student, challenging people’s thoughts about what being deaf means, and what a deaf person can achieve. The Disability Resource Centre staff were always helpful and gave me the support I needed, especially in finding note takers and helping me manage my Disabled Student’s Allowance. Nick
full profile	I lived in one of the 'hill colleges' a little way out so initially this was a problem as I use a wheelchair. I got a scholarship to help with costs of taxis and taxicards – but now there is an accessible bus, which is a godsend as it is reliable, free and stops just outside most colleges. Kuki
full profile	The Disability Resource Centre helped me to get a (dyslexia) diagnosis; that allowed me extra time in exams and the use of a computer. I also qualified for a Disabled Students’ Allowance that allowed me to purchase a laptop computer, a colour-changing lamp, special software (including the most useful of all, Inspiration – a spider chart producing program), a dictaphone and more. Naomi
full profile	Lecturers supply hand-outs for Brailling in advance of their lectures, and many will supply electronic versions of sections of books they have written, which I can read with screen reading software. The Faculty librarian helps by obtaining electronic copies of textbooks directly from the publishers. And Robinson lawyers are a famously close-knit group, so we all go to lectures, supervisions and socialise together. Chris

Music Award-holders
full profile	I have always had two major interests; philosophy and music, and as a Choral Award-holder studying Philosophy at Cambridge I am able to get involved with both of them. What has been particularly good over the last term is seeing my musical interests and my philosophical interests coming together. Clare, Choral Award-holder
full profile	I decided to apply to Cambridge because I realised it was one of the key places to be an Organ Scholar. Music was the only obvious subject for me because it is the one thing I have been passionate about my whole life. Cambridge is what I expected and a lot more. Catherine, Organ Scholar
full profile	As an Instrumental Award holder I’ve found that I’m getting much more out of the scheme than I had expected. As well as the official IAS ensemble I was put into, I have made many friends and contacts through the scheme that have led to me playing in all sorts of other groups and orchestras. Ed, Instrumental Award-holder

Ethnic minority students
full profile	Being female and from an ethnic minority, I thought that my chances of getting a place at Cambridge were a distant dream. I had a stereotyped image of Cambridge students all having brains the size of a planet and being stuck-up and elitist – visiting Cambridge on an Open Day helped to blow these ideas away. Leona
full profile	If you are worried about fitting in, don't be - Cambridge is a very diverse place, with people from all kinds of different countries, religions and backgrounds. People accept you for what you are, it doesn't matter whether you're from a state school or public school or whether you are black or white. All that is required is that you are dedicated to your chosen subject. Divya
full profile	I was born to Asian parents and grew up in a Welsh cultural environment. My hometown - because it's small - has a real sense of community, which I thought I'd miss at university. For me Cambridge is a big place and so I really liked the idea of the college system. Saalim
full profile	I am a Welsh-Pakistani Muslim girl and I am currently reading the final year of my Engineering degree. I submitted an open application and was initially apprehensive when I was pooled to Newnham, an all girls' College. However, it has proved to be a very suitable choice for me indeed. Faryal

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Student comments and profiles