Year 12 students attend English study day at St John's

On Thursday 13th June 2013, sixty-six Year 12 students from schools across the country visited Cambridge to discover what it is like to study English at St John's. The students attended lectures given by teaching Fellows on the topics of 'Why popular fiction matters' and 'Reading difficult poems'. Participants also had the opportunity to discuss their ideas and insights further in small seminar groups led by current English undergraduates. There was also time to tour the college and receive advice from the Admissions Team on preparing a competitive application.

Comments about the English study day from participants:

'The people, students and academics working at the college were so friendly and really interesting. I have been so inspired to apply.'

'It [St John's] has really friendly, approachable and supportive staff and undergraduates, in addition to brilliant facilities. The Cambridge English Literature course sounds very good with the student having a say in making it personal to them.'

'Speaking to the lecturers and the friendly people who helped organise the study day made me realise how down to earth and approachable people at Cambridge are and I now see it as less intimidating.'

'They [the seminars] were well led, and useful for bringing out my own ideas, as well as helping me see things in different ways.'

'After the Study Day, I see that the University of Cambridge is a place where passionate and talented people can push themselves to their academic potential in a beautiful environment.'

'St John's has beautiful grounds, lovely people and the fellows in English are incredibly interesting.'

'The talks about specific texts opened my eyes to the way to approach texts at a university level. The group seminars allowed me to hear others' interpretations and ideas, which broadened the way I will look at poetry and prose in future.'

'I particularly enjoyed the small group seminars with current undergraduates, it was a brilliant insight into the way of working at Cambridge. The student who led our seminars was helpful, friendly and honest. Most importantly, his love of the subject was evident.'

'I loved the architecture [of St John's], and since we read the short Angela Carter story in the group seminar I have been motivated to read the whole of The Bloody Chamber and may base my Extended Project around her writing. So thank you!'

'It [St John's] is beautiful! The students are welcoming and there is a prevailing sense of curiosity, which is apparent not just in the academic subject but also in everyone's genuine interest in you as an individual. The English course seems flexible; I really feel that if I were to study English at Cambridge I would be treated as an individual rather than a statistic. The city as a whole has a fantastic atmosphere and great diversity. I could go on. I am totally won over.'