Lottie Merrylees (Classics 2022) is keen to challenge perceptions that her subject of choice is elitist.

Lottie attended Chelmsford County High School for Girls and studied Latin. She is well aware many state-educated pupils do not get the opportunity, but does not think that should put people off.

“Latin is not offered in many state schools so Classics has got a reputation for being an elite subject,” she says.

“For me Classics is about humanity. You see how people have always wanted and dreamed about the same things. It's so incredible to see that across thousands of years.

“People have always thought about the universe and wondered about how we came to be here. Those questions haven't changed. It's simply human nature.”

A school visit to two Cambridge colleges, although not Gonville & Caius, in Year 10 was the catalyst for Lottie’s own application. “I absolutely fell in love with it – it was a kind of dream place,” she says.

Anyone considering Classics without Latin or Greek can apply for a four-year Classics course.

Lottie had not studied Greek before, and in summer 2022, prior to receiving her A-Level results, she had a further taste of the Cambridge experience, attending a two-week Greek summer school.

“I'd met pretty much half the cohort of the Cambridge classicists who would be matriculating with me,” she adds.

“In my head I thought, ‘Wow, I really want this now because these people are my friends’. I got a taste of what my life would be like, and I certainly didn’t want to lose it.”

Speaking 12 months on, on A-Level results day, Lottie reflected on her own feelings as she awaited her results for Latin, English Literature, French and History A-Levels.

She says: “The stakes definitely felt quite high. I remember waking up earlier than I've ever woken up before. I sat in my bed waiting for the e-mail from the school.

“And just the relief. I felt like all my hard work had paid off.”

Lottie is a Caius access ambassador, showing school groups and prospective applicants around the College.

“Access is important to me because, especially as a state school classicist, I want people to be able to feel like they can apply,” Lottie adds.

“There is nothing stopping you. There is no difference. You're not going to be on your own, you're not going to be at any disadvantage. There is no reason why you shouldn't apply.

“Once you realise that loads of us here, especially at Caius, come from state school backgrounds, it really doesn't matter.

“If you are good enough you are good enough regardless of where you've come from.”

Lottie enjoys the social side of life at Caius. She joined Caius Boat Club in her first year as a rower, despite not being the tallest, and is considering switching to coxing this year.

“The social atmosphere is what I love,” she adds.