Throughout my application to Cambridge, I was painfully aware of the need to make sure I flagged up my additional access requirements when it came to reading and writing tasks. Having stayed at the same school where my need for extra time and exam arrangements was first identified, I had never had to explain my requirements beyond directing a teacher to my SEN form on the computer system. I was concerned throughout the process that I was going to miss something and they wouldn’t be able accommodate my requirements because I filled out a box incorrectly somewhere along the line.
My need for reasonable adjustments to the application process cropped up at two specific points. The first was my admissions assessment at the end of October and the second was for my interview in December.
For my admissions assessment the arrangements were comfortingly straightforward; because it was a test to do in school my school Exams Officer made sure the appropriate arrangements were in place and I had the ability to word process my exam with 25% extra time. I had indicated on my UCAS form and SAQ that I had additional exam arrangements as reasonable adjustments and so this all went ahead smoothly.
My interview was the next hurdle. When I was informed I had an interview, I was emailed by Newnham College (where I was being interviewed) to ask about access arrangements to cater to my disability and what reasonable adjustments I would need. I informed them that I would need extra time for any pre-interview tasks and provided my school’s assessment from when I was tested as evidence. At interview, my timings had been adjusted to fit my needs and I was collected by an interview helper and taken to do my pre-interview reading at a time appropriate to allow my extra time before the interview began and was not challenged after the usual time limit was up, something I feared would happen and result in a very awkward conversation. The helpers were chatty and took me to and from my interviews without making a scene about my reasonable adjustments.
Whilst I am glad in some ways I was so conscientious about making sure my needs were flagged up, I also regret the fact that I was so distrusting of Cambridge’s ability and willingness to make allowances for disabled students. Cambridge has plenty of experience dealing with students with additional requirements in the admissions process and do their best to make sure that these requirements are no barrier to applying and getting offered a place at Cambridge. I wish I had been less self-conscious about my academic access arrangements and that has become a focus of how I interact with my supervisors and other teaching staff now I am at Cambridge. I try to make them aware of what allowances I need and why this is necessary and then try to relax and enjoy the learning along with my peers.
See our advice on access arrangements during the application process here.