When I first received my acceptance email from Cambridge, my reaction was a mix of disbelief and euphoria, punctuated by strange noises and excited jumps.

However, my joy was tempered by the realisation that I’d been allocated to Murray Edwards College, a place I had initially never heard of and struggled to connect with my image of Cambridge. On the other hand, Pembroke, the college I had initially applied to, seemed to epitomise the quintessential Cambridge experience, mainly due to its Hogwartsian architecture and excellent food.

I had, to use the correct term, been ‘pooled’.

“I am not alone in being a pooled candidate, with roughly 20% of successful Cambridge applicants being allocated to a different college out of the 4,250 students who typically receive offers”

While there are numerous misconceptions regarding the pooling process, it refers to Cambridge’s careful system of ensuring all strong applicants can gain a place at the University regardless of what college they apply to. I am not alone in being a pooled candidate, with roughly 20% of successful Cambridge applicants being allocated to a different college out of the 4,250 students who typically receive offers.

That said, many myths remain regarding the pooling process. Primarily, that it indicates a student was not a top pick and subsequently carries a mislaid sense of discomfort or shame. Like many pooled students, my initial elation was dampened by the creeping concern that I was that I was deemed less suited for Cambridge, and by going to Murray Edwards I would have a different experience than I’d imagined.

“Simply put, being pooled merely reflects the sheer number of applicants some colleges receive”

However, this is far from the case, with pooled students just as likely to thrive academically. Simply put, being pooled merely reflects the sheer number of applicants some colleges receive, particularly the more well-known colleges in a collegiate system where the majority are unknown to potential applicants.

In many ways, the process demonstrates the extent of Cambridge’s commitment and enthusiasm to have you as a student, that the admissions team makes an effort to ensure you gain a spot, albeit in a different place than you initially anticipated.

For me, that place was Murray Edwards, a relatively modern college by Cambridge standards, having only been founded in 1954. Whilst it doesn’t have Gothic architecture or centuries’ worth of famous alumni, it certainly offers its own charm and vibrant sense of community. We can notably walk on the grass and pick the vegetables, herbs and flowers that grow in the garden, offering a pocket of nature that has proved invaluable to me.

“Zoe Blackburn, a third-year English student, voiced that when she initially pooled, she’d ‘only vaguely heard of Murray Edwards on University Challenge’”

Equally, having the infamous Traitors host Claudia Winkleman as an alumnus is a definite bragging point. Two years later, I occasionally reflect on how my experience might have gone if I had indeed gone to Pembroke. Still, ultimately, I realise that Murray Edwards has offered an experience that is just as fulfilling, if not more so, in its own way.

Once again, I am not alone in these feelings, with the majority of pooled students expressing satisfaction with their placements. Zoe Blackburn, a third-year English student, voiced that when she initially pooled, she’d “only vaguely heard of Murray Edwards on University Challenge”, musing that “instead of the old stone and turrets that would have surrounded me at John’s, now I pass Tracy Emin artworks on my way to lectures, which seems like a pretty good deal to me.”

“Murray Edwards has been the ideal community for me to navigate student life in Cambridge; as a hill college just outside the city, it provides a calm environment free from central Cambridge’s hustle and bustle while still being within walking distance from important sites”

Another critical element of the pooling process that needs to be addressed is ensuring proficient students are distributed across all of Cambridge’s 31 colleges, rather than a select few high-profile names that generally attract the most applicants. This approach allows students to discover the plethora of lesser-known but equally vibrant colleges, with each college fostering a diverse and more personalised university experience. In fact, this distribution creates a balanced environment where each college can cultivate its distinct culture.

Looking back, being pooled to Murray Edwards was not a detour from my Cambridge experience—it was a defining part of it. An emphasis on college selection during the application process potentially leads to the misconstrued idea that where you end up is indicative of your ability, or will drastically alter your perceived student life experience.

Naina Gupta, a third-year Economics student who originally applied to Christ’s, expands on this notion, stating that “whilst each college is slightly different, I don’t think your college has to make or break your Cambridge experience. When I was choosing a college, I never considered Medwards, but now I don’t think I’d want to be anywhere else.”

Ultimately, your college is your source of community amidst a whirlwind of academic pursuits, where what ultimately counts is the endless academic resources available through the University. Thankfully, Murray Edwards has been the ideal community for me to navigate student life in Cambridge; as a hill college just outside the city, it provides a calm environment free from central Cambridge’s hustle and bustle while still being within walking distance from important sites.

Though, notably, life certainly exists outside your college, with shared experiences through societies, May Balls and formals uniting students regardless of which college they attend.

So, for this year’s applicants who may find themselves placed in the pool – trust the process; you might find that it takes you somewhere unexpected but exactly where you need to be.