With the extension of 1902, the College attained to something approaching its full stature. Miss Davies aimed at 200 students; 160 were now secured, and the kitchens and dining hall were on such a scale as to make it possible to add rooms for more students when funds would allow. But the process of growth had been a difficult one, and the economies which had been necessary were a serious hindrance to developments other than building. Equipment was kept at the lowest possible level; the library and laboratories were greatly in need of expansion; and there were no endowments for Fellowships or for research work. Miss Davies, in her eagerness to open the doors of Girton to as large a number of students as possible, had always set her face against giving up rooms to research students, and was not very willing even to encourage students to stay on for a fourth year.

Research meanwhile was coming to occupy a more and more important position in the University. While the College was struggling into existence, profound changes were, as we have seen, being brought about at Cambridge.