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����Ӱҵ College was an afterthought for Amber Gooding (HSPS 2023) when she attended the University of Cambridge open day in July 2022.

“I came to the University open days and had made a shortlist of all the colleges I wanted to look at. Caius wasn’t on the list,” Amber says.

“We were in the city centre and had time for one more. We looked at the map and I thought the name of the college was funny – mispronouncing Caius.

“I walked in and thought ‘OK, this is quite nice’. I spoke to the student helpers and they seemed so much more happy to be there, in a genuine way (than those at some of the other colleges). 

“I did more research afterwards and decided Caius was the best one, even though I hadn’t shortlisted it. We might not have a swimming pool, but it’s so nice!

“There are things that other colleges have, but there is something about being able to choose your college because you felt right here, or you noticed you’d fit in.”

The next take place on Thursday 10 and Friday 11 July.

Amber’s pre-open day shortlist was drawn up by a comparative website, having long been identified as having the potential to apply to Cambridge.

“It’s always been on the horizon. It’s one of those things: why wouldn’t you apply if you have the chance?” says Amber, who attended Maidstone Grammar School for Girls in Kent.

She is a first generation university student – her half-brother went to Manchester. She adds: “He was the first person, I believe, in the family, but only because he’s older than me. I had to one-up him!”

She considered applying for Philosophy but chose Human, Social and Political Sciences for the breadth of the course and in second year has specialised in Anthropology and Sociology. Amber likes that she can talk to friends studying other subjects and get their views on her course or particular topics.

Amber adds: “Neither of my parents went to university, so I didn’t have expectations based on anything. I’ve just been riding the wave, seeing how it goes, which is sometimes better because then you won’t be disappointed.”

Amber was the ����Ӱҵ College Students’ Union Freshers’ Representative in her first year and the start of her second year, meaning she supported incoming undergraduates’ transition to Caius by organising events in freshers’ week and providing guidance. She is the GCSU Women’s and Non-Binary Officer this year. She is also the netball captain, which is “very casual”, but took time to adjust to the rhythm of Cambridge life.

I knew it would be hard but I wanted to try. I still feel so proud of myself, because you have to realise you’re at Cambridge... I’m here for me, I’m not here for anyone else.

Amber liked that the freshers’ accommodation on West Road – at Harvey Court and the Stephen Hawking Building – fostered relationships and she likes the Minimum Dining Requirement, believing it builds community. She also likes the size of Caius.

She says: “It's big enough that there's a huge range of people, but it's not big enough that you can't say hello to everyone as well. It's like perfect number.”

Her advice to prospective applicants is simple – visit and talk to the current students. Do not rely on a shortlist.

She adds: “Put yourself in the spaces, give yourself a chance to feel what it feels like and then do it for yourself, don’t do it for any expectations that other people set you. 

“I knew it would be hard but I wanted to try it. I still feel so proud of myself, because you have to realise you’re at Cambridge. I’m not bothered about anyone else; I’m here for me, I’m not here for anyone else.”