Sophie Keane grew up in a rural border town in Northern Ireland, attending a local grammar school located in a Corpus Link Area, a part of the UK where Corpus works to raise awareness of and encourage applications to Cambridge. Here Sophie shares her journey to Corpus and how she has transitioned into life as a Cambridge student.

Raising aspirations

“The first time I really considered going to Oxbridge was when James (Davies-Warner, former Schools Liaison Officer, now Admissions Tutor) came to my school. I was 15 and he was giving a talk to the Higher students, which one of the careers teachers thought I might be interested to attend. I ended up being very interested! James talked about the subjects that only Cambridge offers, and they really excited me, Human, Social and Political Sciences (HSPS) particularly stood out. This got me interested in the style of teaching at Cambridge.”

Sophie was the only person in her year who applied to Cambridge. “Oxbridge isn’t really considered an option because it’s not on the radar for the majority. Plus, most people like to stay at home, which I think is a big reason a lot of people opt to go to Queen’s University in Belfast.”

She credits the early contact with James for increasing her awareness of the subjects on offer at Cambridge, which in turn helped to inform and solidify Sophie’s choice of A Levels, setting her up perfectly for studying HSPS.

“Visiting the College on Offer Holder Day is a real standout memory. I was so relieved, happy, and excited. It was a very big push for me; I felt like the offer was really confirmed and it gave me that extra push to work hard and get through my exams."

The benefits of a small college

“There are a lot of things about Corpus that are dreamy, the academic community, the small size, the beautiful buildings, the central location. Having grown up somewhere very rural, I find it lovely to feel there’s a buzz about the place.

“I often talk with my fellow HSPS students about how lucky we are to get on so well, we have a great cohort. Everyone is very supportive, there’s great camaraderie and friendship. I really enjoy that aspect of a small college, I have got to know most of my year group and people in other years too.”

Visible support network

“Whenever I've needed anything, in terms of exam support or support from my Tutor, it's all been available. I think that another good thing about Cambridge overall is the tutorial system, how close it is, and you've got points of contact at any time. The College Tutorial Office are very proactive and always quick to respond.

“The introduction of the Pelican Wellness Officer is a positive step too; the academic side can take over a bit too much. It's not that it's bad, it's just that everyone needs a balance, and it's nice to see that the College promotes a balance. So having those kinds of officers is a good step, and she's organised a few really nice things, the Meet the Guide Dogs session in the Fellows’ Garden was great.”

First year reflections

“I've really enjoyed it; there have obviously been ups and downs, and you definitely feel a little bit thrown into the deep end at the start, but I think that is kind of necessary. You just have to get through those tough first weeks and get your head around what you're supposed to be doing.

“I believe you learn by doing. You can never be fully prepared for starting at Cambridge. I think that's a good thing, though. A year in and my notes have finally solidified into a system, and I feel comfortable in a supervision. Obviously, I tried to work on this beforehand, but it just takes time. I think it's great and I thrive in an intense academic environment. It's ultimately better than you expect, because you learn and grow so quickly.

“It's a good idea not to come in with too many expectations and just enjoy everything that happens. It's quite a journey! I've noticed such a progression in myself, I almost feel like a new person every term, because so much happens, both in your personal and academic life, you grow a lot.”

Finding your thing at Cambridge

There are hundreds of societies across the University, and Corpus certainly encourages its students to establish a College society if they find them lacking. A keen swimmer and swim coach back home, Sophie swims with University’s Development Squad. “It’s fun but not competitive. I love swimming and get to train a couple of times a week.” 

When she is not swimming or studying, Sophie has managed to resurrect the University Gaelic football team, working with a fellow first-year student from Magdalene College. 

“With Cambridge having so many sports societies, I found it crazy they didn't have a Gaelic football team. It’s been really rewarding, we have taken charge of coaching and running training sessions, secured funding and sponsorship for new jerseys.”

Future aspirations

Sophie has opted to take single track anthropology in her second year with one borrowed politics paper and she is already formulating ideas for her dissertation. “I want to explore group support, focussing specifically on Alopecia UK, as alopecia is a condition I have. I am a charity ambassador for them and visit schools back at home. It's my own project that I like to do, and they support me with resources.

“The whole dynamic of having mutual support is very interesting to me. How it can shift around people's ability to challenge societal norms in a way that they weren't able to before. I am also keen to explore how group members are both a participant and an observer, subject and object at the same time, which is an interesting dynamic and good for interpretation.”