Tahmimm Hassan                                           

Comprehensive school, London

Third-year Economics student

There is only so much one can gain from reading about the college, but I was fortunate enough to have visited Clare prior to the initial stages of the application process. Having spent a day in the vicinity of both Memorial and Old Court, I imagined it as being an ideal place to live and study, and ever since my very first day of term all my positive pre-conceptions were thankfully true. Clare also turned out to possess roughly equal numbers of arts and science students, girls and boys, musicians and sportsmen, independent and state school applicants, making it one of the most diverse colleges of them all. Contrary to the perception that Cambridge is only suited to a particular type of person, Clare has proven to be extremely varied in all spheres of college life. Formal hall is an easy and cheap option to eat well, and the college Bar and JCR has a reputation for being one of the best, particularly when Clare Ents have events organised. In addition to the infamous heavy workload, there are various extra-curricular activities to pursue; everything from politics to football. This does not necessarily mean you have to row, as some mad people choose to do, but it does enable you to maintain a certain level of sanity by getting involved in events outside of work.

When I was contemplating my choice of degree, one of my criteria was that it had to be a varied discipline that would keep me engaged. Considering the fact that I'd be studying the same subject for three years, this was very important. This is what makes the Economics degree at Cambridge so unique. In the first year, not only will you be developing your knowledge in the core domains of macro and micro, you will also be studying the Sociological and Political aspects of Economics, Economic History and Quantitative Methods (which in itself is a combination of Statistics and Pure Maths). Over the years, the degree has become very mathematical (particularly in the second year when you will also be introduced to the fascinating world of Econometrics!) and can at times be abstract and theoretical. But you are granted the option to choose a fourth paper in the second year; I chose Development Economics which is very interesting given its relevance to the real world. In the first year, there are five supervisions every fortnight and lectures can number 21 a week but this then comes down to four supervisions in the second year with around 13 lectures a week. There is even greater flexibility in the third year when there'll be two options as well as a dissertation topic to choose.

Economists are unfairly perceived as being money hungry, soul-selling Investment Bankers. However, as the subject is so diverse, it is one of the most respected degrees in the country and held in high esteem by employers. Yes, this does mean plenty of work but as a consequence, an Economics degree from Cambridge opens up many avenues when it comes down to career aspirations.

I am delighted to have chosen Clare. You may be thinking that I am only saying this given that I am a Clareite but I can genuinely say that it is a great college in which to live and study. It possesses a friendly atmosphere and is a beautiful looking college. The accommodation is great, particularly in the first year. But more importantly, Memorial court is a five minute walk away from both lectures and the buttery!

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