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:
Aisha
HSPS, second-year
I love the peace and quiet of the Girton grounds. It’s a great environment to come back to after a busy day in the city. I love to walk around in the morning with a cup of tea to just take a moment to relax and reflect.
My educational journey has been a mix of different educational styles. I was schooled in the UK until Year 3 when I moved back to Malaysia. Originally homeschooled, in Year 8 I left a state school to go to an international school. Whilst I started off as a day-student, I became a boarder and that is where I did my iGCSEs and A-Levels. Attending different schools has influenced the way I think about what education means to me and the massive difference different schools can have on a student.
Bethan
ASNaC, second-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.
Cian
Classics, second-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!
Ellie
Archaeology, third-year
I’ve found Girton to be a fantastic place to live and study throughout my time in Cambridge and the ideal place to escape the hectic city centre. There is a real sense of community here that extends to every aspect of life and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed participating in a wide variety of college-based activities, be that college rowing, hockey, music or being a student ambassador. Ever since I first came to Girton on the offer holder day, I fell in love with the building, its history and grounds, and I am so grateful to have been pooled to somewhere that now feels like home! Archaeology being one of the smallest undergraduate courses, having a friendly, diverse and welcoming college environment was particularly important to me and Girton offers this in abundance. My advice for prospective applicants is to be confident in your passion for your subject and to pursue those avenues that most interest you. Applying for a course like archaeology which isn’t directly taught at A-Level might feel particularly daunting, but remember everyone is in the same position and you are not expected to know everything there is to know about a subject that is new to you. Let your enthusiasm carry you and you never know what might happen!
Imogen
MML, third-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.
Joanne
English, second-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.
Kitty
Geography, second-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!
Mais
Archaeology, first-year
Life at Cambridge can be both intense and exciting. Having the separation between the centre of town and college life was therefore one of the major reasons I chose Girton. I love the close-knit community fostered by staff and students, making the college feel like a home away from home. Having the opportunity to live in such an inspiring place, with its educational history, and green spaces (with grass you can walk on!) is something I am very grateful for.
I would encourage anyone, with even the slightest thoughts about applying, to give it a go – you never know what you’re capable of, until you try! My best advice would be to follow your passions to new places, try new things, take advantage of every opportunity, eat your five-a-day, and really enjoy exploring what interests you.
Megan
Law, second-year
I love Girton for the opportunities it provides me to enjoy things outside of my studies. Girton sets up 'wobble week' activities for week 5: in Cambridge, week 5 is often the peak of the workload, so the college organises events to allow us to de-stress and have fun. Some events included a rage room, a silent disco and a petting zoo! Moreover, Girton in itself is incredible for de-stressing due to its large grounds and opportunities to participate in sports. One of my favourite memories from last Easter term was playing rounders and tennis with my friends on college grounds in between revision sessions.
Myriam
Music, third-year
I chose Girton primarily because of its closeness to nature and beautiful grounds, which are very important for me as I love going for runs and walks, an essential breather during busy terms. The active musical scene in the college, with high-profile concerts and workshops happening regularly, and its strong sense of community were also major factors in my decision. My journey to Cambridge was quite unusual; I scraped by in secondary education and was not planning to go to university at all. However, I always maintained a deep passion and interest for Music (my subject) and eventually ended up enjoying my A-levels and applying to Cambridge. At first, I worried about the social side of the university and not fitting in, but now that I am in my final year, I am deeply grateful for those who encouraged me to apply. Cambridge, and especially Girton, has proven to be a nurturing environment for me, both personally and academically.
Shaakirah
Chemical Engineering, fourth-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.
Yemisi
HSPS, second-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.
Youma
HSPS, first-year
I wanted to be in a friendly and inclusive environment, and Girton was the perfect fit. Girton's pioneering role in female education aligned well with my own identity as someone passionate about social justice and girls' education. The beautiful scenery, expansive natural woodlands and various on-site facilities were the cherry on top.