For Dan Townsend (Maths 2018), growing up in Colchester, Cambridge was an achievable day trip.

Following a maths open day he decided to apply to Gonville & Caius College.

“Maths has always been my favourite subject and if you sat me down at the age of six and explained to me the concept of university and studying one subject there, I’d have probably said ‘maths, that sounds good’,” he says.

“What I enjoyed and what I was good at aligned. That saved too many hard decisions on what to do.”

Having attended Colchester Royal Grammar School, Dan recognises the support he received in applying to Caius and the University of Cambridge. As an admissions ambassador for the College, he wants to help everyone have the same resources and opportunities.

“I was fortunate that my school encouraged me to apply, but a lot of schools wouldn’t have access to knowledge, or know where to find the information,” he says.

“You want the best possible people to come here and benefit from the experience. Sometimes potential can be hidden. The worst thing is to not apply if you have that potential.”

Dan offers snippets of advice through our ‘Chat to our students’ portal, and has also supported applicants with ideas for their personal statements, while also showing potential applicants around Caius on open days. Considering Caius? Visit 'Apply to Caius' on our website.

He enjoys the sense of community at Caius, fostered over communal dining in the Hall.

“It’s a way of meeting people and it forces everyone out of their shell,” he adds.

“The college system gives you an obvious group of people to meet. It wasn’t something I really understood before coming here, but I can’t imagine university life without it now.”