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Student LifeWhy Newnham?There are many reasons to choose to study at Newnham College: whether your motivation is historical, political, educational, social or personal, Newnham is a first-choice place to live and work. Below are some comments from current students and very recent graduates, to give you some idea of what it is like to live at Newnham. We have also included a little information about the Newnham Associates – another excellent reason to consider Newnham as your Cambridge choice. Don't forget to have a look at our Student Life video, which we filmed in the summer of 2010!
The Associates:
The Associates are an elected group of 60 Newnham alumnae who have volunteered to support Newnham and its students. They represent a very wide range of professional careers, life experiences and personal interests. Throughout the year, the Associates hold networking lunches and workshops for current undergraduate and postgraduate students, covering subjects such as effective time management, writing an eye-catching CV, interview skills, and finding employment during a tough economic climate. The Associates also offer friendly individual advice, guidance and support for current students, as well as opportunities for work experience and internships. Nowhere else will you be able to find such a dynamic and varied group of high-achieving women and role-models, willing and able to support you in your life choices! What current students say about Newnham:
“You can walk up to almost anyone and get a smile. What's not to love about being surrounded by smart, beautiful, talented, kind women, any of whom you can be good friends with? It's awesome.” (Christine)
"A hub of vibrant, intelligent and creative women - I felt welcomed by the college as soon as I arrived and found life-long friends. The buildings, gardens and library are beautiful, yet not imposing, and its location practically encourages lie-ins for students as Sidgwick site is just across the road. I love the laid-back atmosphere” (Farah)  “It is very personal and welcoming – you really feel as though Newnham is pleased to have you personally. It is very accepting and you feel as though people don’t judge you in any way and are pleased to support you in whatever sports or things you do – no matter how unusual or quirky. There is no snobbery – everyone is from different backgrounds with different interests but everyone is up for getting involved in lots of activities and having a really good time. Having just girls really isn’t a problem – you meet boys through sport, your subject […] or whatever else you get involved in!”
“I was attracted to Newnham by the gardens (lovely, country-house feel without being too formal); the location (right next to the Sidgwick site, just far enough out to avoid the tourists, but a 5 minute walk into town); and the accommodation policy of the college (live in for all 3 years, mixing the years on each corridor, having antique furniture and fireplaces in our rooms).” (KT) “I'm sure everyone will be saying this, but [I love] the garden! And how close Newnham is to parks and fields...don't know how I would have got through exam term without these green spaces.” (Julia) “The best thing about it has got to be its wonderful people! And hands down it is one of the prettiest colleges in Cambridge, the gardens are just beautiful, especially in the summertime. And we get to lounge on the grass during the summer months, which other colleges might not be able to do! I applied directly, initially due to religious reasons but later because I just loved the place when I came to visit. Newnham is very good at looking after its students, another of its strong points, financially and otherwise! You're not just a number at Newnham, you're actually a person.” (Sameera)  “I was offered a place at Newnham through the pool; my first reaction was of course very pleased, but something holding me back from an instant decision was Newnham's 'all girls' status. Having been at Cambridge for a year, all I can say is that it would have been a life changing mistake not to have accepted my place here. Newnham is known for so much more than the 'all girls' aspect and I would recommend anyone to apply here directly. It is a most beautiful, down-to-earth and supportive college – I've loved the first year.” (Sophia) “When deciding which college to apply to I think I dismissed Newnham as I’d never heard of it and I thought it seemed rather out of the way, but now I’m here (I was pooled) I can’t believe I just crossed it off my list. Newnham really is a wonderful place, but I think people sometimes get a bit too focused on the all-female aspect – there’s so much more to this college!” (Elizabeth)  “I went to a girls' school so when Newnham made me an offer from the Pool I was a little bit apprehensive about coming to an all-female college. However, I am incredibly glad to be at Newnham! We are really lucky to have beautiful buildings and gardens that allow all students to live on site instead of being spread out over Cambridge in separate accommodation blocks. The library is also fantastically well stocked and the librarians happy to order in any books you need as soon as you request them. The two things I love most about Newnham, though, are, firstly, the flexibility of our catering arrangements and, secondly, our room ballot system. Newnham girls have the option to cook every meal, go to the Buttery for every meal or to do a bit of both, which is especially useful during exams when cooking isn't always your top priority. We have a room ballot system that is organised so that it is fair for everyone. Students pay a flat rate for college rooms, which remains the same for the three years in Cambridge. Moreover, it is very unusual if a student's room does not improve each year – this year I have a beautiful room with original fireplace, two windows and a chaise longue, and that isn't even one of the top rooms in the third year ballot!” (Kirsty) “I did not know that friendships develop between year groups – at school everyone sticks very much to friendship groups within their year but here everyone is keen to know everyone else.” “Having just women means Newnhamites are often very active and busy – getting involved in lots of extra-curricular activities to meet people from different places. Because it is just women there is a tendency to get involved in more whereas other colleges quite often tend to stick within their own college groups and can be a bit more cliquey – so you actually end up meeting more people.” “I was worried it would be cliquey – I don’t know of any way to convince people that it isn’t but it’s not!”
“Where I was at school, no-one really applied to Oxbridge […] and everyone has this stereotype of it being very snobby and everyone being very rich. Since I have come to Cambridge I know for sure that this is not the case as everyone is really down to earth, really nice and just generally enthusiastic about their subject and lots of extra-curricular stuff too.” (Ruth) “I’d have to say that I wouldn’t describe myself as the “typical Cambridge student”, and I know before I went to Newnham, my main concern about accepting my offer was whether or not I would fit in, especially in a women’s college, as to this day, my main group of friends is 80% guys. But I really want to show people that Newnham is what you make of it, as is Cambridge in general, and whilst you do come across a lot of people who you think you might have nothing in common with on the surface (one of my best friends at Newnham now being a prime example), that’s all part of the experience!” (Rosie) |
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How to Contact UsAdmissions Office Newnham College Cambridge CB3 9DF Admissions Coordinator admissions@newn.cam.ac.uk Tel: +44 (0)1223 335783 Fax: +44 (0)1223 357898 |
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