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9. Outreach and Admissions

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Admissions and Schools Initiatives

Selwyn has a long-standing policy of trying to widen access. We welcome applications from able candidates regardless of any other consideration, and are constantly seeking to extend the range of schools and colleges that send us applicants. We are particularly keen to foster links with institutions that have not hitherto had a tradition of sending applicants to Cambridge in general, and Selwyn in particular. Selwyn has established specific access and outreach arrangements under the intercollegiate Area Links Scheme with schools in West Yorkshire, East Berkshire and schools in Cambridgeshire. These links involve many events in those areas and a programme of visits to Selwyn.

We are also committed to reaching out to students from all parts of the world and maintaining a diverse and welcoming community for all students, whether undergraduate or postgraduate. To that end, we have found that our current students have an invaluable part to play in these efforts and are in many ways our best ambassadors. They are excellent at helping to dispel negative stereotypes of Cambridge students. We therefore encourage all Selwyn students to volunteer to help with the range of initiatives including helping out during Open Days, Summer Schools, Target (visiting state schools in your home area), visits from sixth-form schools, participation in the postgraduate Open Day and similar activities, or to participation in online events. Also why not contribute to the very successful Students of Selwyn collection of student testimonies from Selwyn members at all stages of their academic careers? Or could you be available to assist with the interview season welcome desk in December?

The College’s Access Committee brings together the JCR, MCR and Fellows to discuss outreach and widening participation strategy. If you have ideas for new activities or initiatives, the Committee will be very keen to hear about them. Please contact the JCR Access Officers or a Schools Liaison Officer about such matters.

To get involved please contact our Schools Liaison Officers (SLOs), who lead much of the outreach activity with the help of the JCR Access Officers. We have one SLO based in College – Stuart Wren - and one ‘embedded’ in West Yorkshire – Shireen Niwaz. The SLOs’ office is on the first Floor of the Christopher Dobson Building, Ann’s Court, as are those of our Admissions Officer, Mrs Stephanie Pym, the Postgraduate Admissions Officer, Mrs Samantha Carr, and the Admissions Tutors – Daniel Beauregard and Tom Smith. They will be delighted to hear from you.