Magdalene Access Residential 2017

Fifty students spent three days living and working in College to get a taste of life as a student at the University of Cambridge.

Magdalene undergraduates were on hand to guide attendees, answer all of their questions and mentor them throughout their time in College.

Attendees studying science sampled a range of practical sessions, including designing knee replacements and performing simulated surgery for Medicine. They explored mechanics at the Cavendish Physics Laboratory and standing wave theories at the Department of Engineering by making their own recorders. There were also a variety of lectures, ranging from talks on Neurology to Photonic Crystals and the Mathematics of Biological Systems.

Arts and humanities attendees took part in a variety of academic sessions, including a trip to the Cambridge Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, as well as lectures on a huge range of subjects. Participants were able to choose a wide range of lectures and sessions to attend, including Medieval History, Metafiction, the Linguistics of internet language, translation and Brexit.

Participants explored the city on foot and toured a number of Cambridge Colleges, they took a sunset punt tour giving them a view of the city from a different angle as well as having a night walk through the city led by Magdalene students. Participants sample a taste of Cambridge at an informal ‘formal hall’ dinner in the Great Hall at St John’s College.

Former admissions tutor Dr Richard Roebuck delivered engaging sessions on the interview process and student finance giving attendees a greater insight into the admissions process at Cambridge.

Here is what a few of our participants had to say about the 2017 Magdalene Residential:

"An amazing experience I will never forget, run by some amazing people." - Owen

"It was so helpful as I’m now more motivated than ever before to get into a top university." – Joseph

"I enjoyed gaining info on courses I could potentially study, as well as meeting new people/making friends.” – Lorna

“This has been a truly valuable experience and I hope that future Year 12 students will also have the opportunity to visit Magdalene on this residential, and it will also change their lives in some way.” -Anon.

“I wasn’t sure about applying to Cambridge but now I am very enthusiastic about it” – Benedict

“The student helpers... were great, very friendly and have helped me learn so much about Cambridge and what it means to be a student here.” – Ryan

“It’s been an amazing opportunity with such great people, and has given me a whole new perspective of Cambridge.” – Catrin

“I really enjoyed talking to student helpers, meeting new people on the residential and having a taste of student life and academia. The whole thing has been great.” – Sian