When Matilda Sheekey (HSPS 2024) raised the idea of applying to the University of Cambridge with her mum, the support was unconditional, as it always has been.

Matilda is an only child in a single-parent household, having been conceived by donor. She grew up in Norwich and attended Notre Dame High School. Despite Gonville & Caius College being a University of Cambridge link area, applying was a “wildcard” for Matilda.

She was told in Year 11 of her Cambridge potential and learned of the financial support available, opening opportunities and challenging any preconceived ideas. 

Matilda had support from an inspirational teacher in Mr Bishop – who also guided her schoolfriend Jess Gotterson (English 2024) – and is enjoying life at Caius.

“My mum left school at 16 and didn’t get that many qualifications,” Matilda says. 

“Our income has always been quite low, to the point I knew 100 percent I would get the full bursary. 

“My mum wasn’t married or with a partner, but hit 40 and decided she wanted a baby. I’m donor conceived. It’s a fun story to tell people.

“She got rid of her car when I was four and stopped all unnecessary spending so she could support me, spending money on experiences like going to the theatre, or ballet or dance lessons. 

“When I said about Cambridge she said ‘absolutely – you can do that’. She’s supportive of anything I want to do. There was never any hesitancy. She’s really proud – my nana is too.”

Matilda did not visit Caius for an open day, making a late decision to apply after reviewing her options on a comparative website – she had initially sought a 24-hour library, but decided a 1am closure was more than sufficient. Now specialising in Social Anthropology and Politics in her degree, Matilda spent the summer at Caius, on a six-week internship in the Development and Alumni Relations office, book-marked by working with the Admissions and Outreach on access programmes.

She adds: “In Year 11 I was on an outreach scheme with an Oxford college. I’d never thought about Oxford or Cambridge before then, but in Oxford I was sitting in a room and they said ‘you’re all here because you’re bright and could go to Oxbridge’.

“I was a bit of a wildcard applying to Caius; I hadn’t been inside at all. I came to Cambridge on the open day, but not to Caius. The first time I came here was for the interview preparation they were running for outreach areas.”

The external perception of Cambridge as expensive is challenged by the support available, Matilda says.

She says: “I understand where the perception comes from, but from the outreach course I did I understood Cambridge was the most affordable option for me. And the College has been great with financial support. Without the Cambridge Bursary I would be in a lot of debt.”