Nearly 300 prospective applicants visited Gonville & Caius College for our mini open days last week.

Between July 26 and 30, the College welcomed year 12 pupils who are considering applying to the University of Cambridge. The prospective applicants visited the College in groups of 10 to 20 at a time, and were led on a tour of both outdoor and indoor spaces by a team of undergraduate helpers. They also heard a talk by our Tutor for Admissions and Outreach, Dr Chris Scott, or Senior Tutor, Dr Andrew Spencer, about Cambridge and the admissions process.

Safety and caution were of course paramount, with a range of measures in place to mitigate the risk posed from Covid-19, including the use of lateral flow tests, limits on numbers, mask wearing and social distancing.

Dr Scott, the Tutor for Admissions and Outreach, said: “After so long spent talking to prospective applicants about Cambridge and Caius through a screen, it was brilliant to be able to welcome so many to Caius in person last week.

“I hope they enjoyed the chance to speak to our students and see our beautiful courts in the flesh – and that we are able to welcome more prospective applicants through our gates over the course of the rest of the summer.”

Binu Perera (Medicine 2019), a student helper, said: “It was great to show people around Caius and introduce them to the unique educational experience here, with small group teaching, and the extra skills and experiences you get here that you might not get elsewhere.

“The questions from the students were very practical, and the library and first-year accommodation, with the en suite bathrooms, are big selling points for Caius.

“People are quite surprised to hear that people do a lot outside of their degree, and are interested to hear about the sports and societies available through the College and the wider University. Students at Caius are very well rounded, and get involved in so much beyond their degrees.”