Working alongside our Schools Liaison & Outreach Officer are our fantastic Student Ambassadors. This year, we have around 75 undergraduate students signed up to the scheme.
Each Student Ambassador has been through their own journey to get to where they are today and are on hand during in-person outreach events to talk about their experiences. Our group is wide-ranged in their backgrounds and subjects and are eager to meet as many prospective students as possible, whether that is for tours, Q&As or Masterclasses.
If you are a current undergraduate student at Girton and interested in being part of the scheme, please contact Lauren at access@girton.cam.ac.uk.
Below are 10 of our Student Ambassadors who wanted to share their experiences, as well as any advice they have for students interested in applying to Girton:
Shaakirah
Chemical Engineering, third-year
I love being at Cambridge and at Girton especially – it’s such a beautiful place to live and an incredibly supportive place to study. I really enjoy being a Girton Ambassador because Outreach events played a huge role in my own journey, giving me the confidence to apply to Cambridge and reassuring me that I would belong here. For me, it’s a way to give back and hopefully inspire others to take that leap as well!
As a woman in STEM, I find it exciting to be part of a field that is constantly evolving and full of opportunities. I hope to help more young women see themselves thriving in these spaces.
Joanne
English, first-year
Not only do I love the opportunity to share my ideas and learn from the leading academics of their respective fields, but I feel as though the unique supervision system is such a valuable environment that nurtures curiosity. I love that the collegiate structure of the University allows everyone to be part of their own close-knit community and invites them into centuries of history and tradition. There is always something to get involved in, whether you want to write for the student newspaper (Varsity) or get involved in sports at either college or university level, there is something for everyone!
Unlike other colleges, Girton provides a tranquil and peaceful environment away from the hustle and bustle of Cambridge life. There are beautiful spacious grounds with delightful nature all around, I especially love seeing the infamous Girton black squirrels! There are amazing facilities right at the doorstep such as the indoor pool, sports grounds, and gym. But what I love most about Girton is its supportive and friendly community.
Tabita
Geography, third-year
I chose Girton for so many reasons. It felt like there is such a great community and culture here, from the students to the staff. The College has a history that we can be proud of and continues to want to make change. I’m so thankful for the large cohort of Geographers at Girton too – they have really shaped my learning and friendships, and I couldn’t ask for better people to cycle to lectures with!
My advice to prospective applicants would be to demonstrate your passion, and practice showing it! Read or tackle ideas which you haven’t been exposed to in class and really delve into your interests. Practice speaking about them out loud and think about the multiple ways you can approach it, or how to critique it. Reflexivity and not being afraid to be wrong are qualities which will be an asset, even beyond University applications.
Cian
Classics, first-year
I put in an Open Application, but after trying out the pool I wouldn't swap it for the world! I applied to Cambridge quite last-minute from a state college when I thought I had no chance; so, if you are considering applying, my only advice would be to go for it.
You never know what could happen!
Reva
Geography, third-year
Girton is an incredible place to study—there’s a unique mix of history and tradition, academic challenges, and unparalleled opportunities. My time at Cambridge has undoubtedly been shaped by the amazing friends I have made at Girton; from those I learnt to row with, or my first-year neighbours, to those I've explored new countries with on a Girton Travel Grant, these are friends I have made for life. I love that no two days in Cambridge are the same. One moment, I might be playing lacrosse at Girton, and the next, I could be presenting my dissertation, working in the lab, or even heading off on a field trip.
The application process and interview can be daunting - I certainly found it challenging. However, I found that focusing on my interests and issues close to home made the process much more manageable and helped my application stand out. There is definitely no 'typical' Cambridge student, so I would encourage prospective applicants to be bold in showing their enthusiasm.
Imogen
MML, second-year
It was during an Open Day that I got to experience the welcoming and friendly atmosphere at Girton, and I was amazed by the college's on-site facilities. Cambridge can be a daunting place at times, so to have that separation from the centre of town and to come back to the close-knit community at Girton is one of the best things about the College. Although it's a cliché, my best advice for prospective applicants would be to believe in yourself, both throughout the application process and also at Cambridge. Being surrounded by so many intelligent and talented people at this university it's easy to doubt yourself (or experience imposter syndrome), which is why it's so important to believe in yourself.
Yemisi
HSPS, first-year
As a pooled applicant, I could not imagine myself at any College other than Girton now! Girton's stunning architecture, warm and welcoming environment, and important history more than make up for its distance (which people tend to exaggerate). In terms of Cambridge and my course more generally, I've been loving the opportunity to delve into a broad range of social sciences before specialising next year, and I like that Cambridge's supervision structure encourages me to challenge my thinking, vocalise my thoughts, and embrace multiple viewpoints. The tailored advice and feedback is incredibly valuable.
Lizzie
Geography, third-year
I chose Girton because of its inclusivity and strong history as a pioneering College. I really enjoy the sense of community at Girton, and the wonderful friends that I have made here over time at university. It feels like a place to home to at the end of a busy day. The application process felt quite opaque to me with so many different facets from predicted grades to interviews and unclear weighting of each. However, that gave me confidence that not every aspect had to be perfect, and admissions officers could take a holistic view of my entire application. My advice to prospective applicants would be that you lose nothing by applying, so give it a go!
Bethan
ASNaC, first-year
I chose Girton because it's such a beautiful space with all its gardens so you can really relax but more importantly when I visited on an Open Day, it felt like it could be a home rather than just my accommodation. I love how historical the city is. I am never not in awe anytime I go for a walk around the city centre. I went to a private girls school before coming to Cambridge, which I am immensely grateful for, and Girton with its history, as well as now being a mixed college, was perfect for me. I found the application process fairly stressful as I knew how much I wanted to get in so I was constantly trying to find different things I could be doing or reading. However, what I would recommend to prospective applicants would be to just concentrate on reading/doing things you enjoy that is relevant to what you study and your enthusiasm will be so much more apparent in your application.
Kitty
Geography, first-year
I chose Girton College because there is a large cohort of Geographers, and the Professors' research interests match my own, which makes it feel like the perfect spot for my studies! I absolutely love being surrounded by the College's beautiful nature — it's such a great way to connect with the outdoors, including but not limited to picking apples with friends and blending them into smoothies together, enjoying the fantastic tennis court and indoor pool!
Cambridge has such a vibrant academic atmosphere, and the people here are really friendly and welcoming. My journey to Cambridge took me from high school in New Zealand and Shanghai, and while the application process was a bit stressful due to the competition, I found it really exciting to apply for a subject I'm passionate about. For anyone considering applying, I'd suggest diving deep into your readings and being yourself. Let your enthusiasm shine through!