Over the next few weeks dozens of Cambridge students will be visiting state schools and colleges in their home areas to talk to pupils about higher education and about applying to Cambridge in particular.

Many will be taking part in Cambridge University Students’ Union (CUSU) Target Visits campaign which encourages students to go back to their home regions to meet state school pupils in Years 11 and 12.

The efforts of these Cambridge undergraduates make a vital contribution to the drive to encourage more applications from state school pupils and other groups currently under-represented at Cambridge.

An undergraduate determined to make an impact is Andy McGowan (pictured), Student Access Officer at Trinity Hall. Andy, who is in his first year studying Law, comes from Shrewsbury in Shropshire.

He is the first person in his family to go to university and was also a young carer when he was at school, looking after both his parents.

Over the next few months Andy will be visiting 16 state schools and colleges in Shropshire, Staffordshire, Powys, Clwyd and the West Midlands to talk to high-achieving pupils about university choices. He will also be helping at the Trinity Hall and Faculty of Law Open Days.

Andy did his GCSEs at Ercall Wood Technology College, before going on to Shrewsbury Sixth Form College (SSFC) to take A levels. He will be visiting SSFC in September.

“I really didn’t know much about university, let alone Cambridge, before I applied. It was only the encouragement of two of my tutors at SSFC that gave me the confidence to apply. I want others like me to have the same chance,” he says.

“I thought I would find it hard to fit in at Cambridge and would have no time to have fun. But I’ve made lots of great friends, on top of enjoying studying. There are loads of opportunities to get involved in things, whether it’s acting, rowing or going out to gigs.”

Charlotte Richer, CUSU Access Officer, said: “The Target Visits are really effective as they give school pupils the chance to hear first hand from a Cambridge student who is just a few years older than them, and comes from the same geographical area.”

She went on: “They also help to publicise the CUSU shadowing scheme which each February offers around 260 state school pupils the opportunity to spend three days at Cambridge, staying in college and attending lectures and supervisions. Many go on to make successful applications to the University.”

Schools and colleges interested in a visit from a Cambridge student are welcome to contact Charlotte Richer at access@cusu.cam.ac.uk. Details of the CUSU shadowing scheme can be found on their website (see sidebar)

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