Anna Roberts

Comprehensive School, Leicester

First-year History student

When I visited Cambridge for the first time in Year 12, I was really impressed by all the beautiful colleges and the peaceful working atmosphere.   It can be very difficult to choose a college because they have so much in common and yet are all wonderful in different ways! I chose to apply to Clare because of its central position, its reputation for musical excellence and its lovely accommodation! 

Coming from a comprehensive school, I found the prospect of an interview very daunting, but it turned out to be an extremely valuable experience.  It was much more relaxed than I had expected and I really enjoyed being able to discuss my subject with world class scholars.  An important tip; if you do get invited for interview, it is essential to show that you have taken your interest in History beyond the school curriculum.  You can do this by reading a small selection of books on a topic that interests you.  It is also useful to read a general book on the practice of History, in order to start thinking about issues surrounding the discipline.  Remember that the interviewers know that you’re still at school; they are not looking for ready-made historians, but rather people with the potential and enthusiasm to benefit from the Cambridge system. 

I was certain that the History Tripos was for me, as it has such a wide range of options on offer and it gives you the opportunity to discuss your work regularly with experts in the field.  In your first year, you get a strong grounding in your chosen periods of British and European History. You then choose from a number of interesting options in the second and third years.  Next year, for example, I’m taking one paper on European History 31BC- 900AD and another on The West and the Third World from the First World War to the present day.  It is important to realise that this course is based around reading and writing essays and requires a lot of independent work. Every week, you read a number of books to familiarise yourself with a topic, and then write an essay of between 2000 and 3000 words.  You then have a supervision, usually individually, to discuss the essay.  This hour long supervision is a unique learning opportunity and gives you the chance to make dramatic improvements even from one week to the next.  This pattern is broken up by Themes and Sources classes run by the Faculty, which provide a great opportunity to examine original historical sources and cover a long time period. 

The Cambridge experience isn’t just about working.  We work hard, but we also find time to have fun.  This year, I have really enjoyed the Clare experience.  First year Clare undergraduates live in Memorial Court, which is on the other side of the river from Old Court, but is still very beautiful!  The accommodation is set out communally in staircases and it is a really friendly place to be.   But we also spend a lot of time in Old Court.  Most people eat there in the Buttery every day and we have regular formal dinners in Hall, which are very cheap and a fantastic way to socialise with friends.  There are numerous extra-curricular activities to get involved in both at College and university level.  There will be something for you, whatever your interests.  I play the cello in the Clare College Music Society orchestra and am also involved with the University Access Scheme and CLIO, the university history society.

So, if you have high grades, you’re really enthusiastic about your subject, you think that the Cambridge style of learning suits you, and you like the sound of college life, why not apply?  Try not to be put off by the interview; it will be better than you think and it’s a worthwhile experience whatever the outcome!

 

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