[annie91]

Basically I applied to Cambridge last year to study Art History and was unsuccesful, I have an unconditional offer from another Uk University in the top 5 for the subject but it doesn't have the same appeal as the course offered at Cambridge so I'm thinking of reapplying.

If I am applying to the University for the same course as last year but to a different college can I use the same personal statement? I got as far as the interiew stage last year, so I feel it was the interview that let me down rather than the personal statement. I feel my personal statement was strong, obviously I'd need to tweak it a bit and bring it up to date, but is there any reason why I should change it?

[ninjacarlotta]

I'm not sure that Cambridge like re-applicants to them. Did you get feedback on why you were unsuccessful?

[Ice_Queen]

Well you could, but you've got an extra year to talk about that you should include!

[annie91]

(Original post by ninjacarlotta)
I'm not sure that Cambridge like re-applicants to them. Did you get feedback on why you were unsuccessful?

Yes, they said I made a good impression at interview but I needed prompting to answer some of the questons so I feel that my rejection was based on my lack of confidence.

I emailed one of the admissions tutors and they said Cambridge treats re-applicants the same as first time applicants but they did advice applying to a different college.

[ninjacarlotta]

(Original post by annie91)
Yes, they said I made a good impression at interview but I needed prompting to answer some of the questons so I feel that my rejection was based on my lack of confidence.

I emailed one of the admissions tutors and they said Cambridge treats re-applicants the same as first time applicants but they did advice applying to a different college.

Okay, good. Check UCAS to make sure, but if you're happy with your PS and it's up to date, then why not?

[annie91]

(Original post by ninjacarlotta)
Okay, good. Check UCAS to make sure, but if you're happy with your PS and it's up to date, then why not?

If it got me an interview last time, I'd be stupid to change it wouldn't I?

[ninjacarlotta]

(Original post by annie91)
If it got me an interview last time, I'd be stupid to change it wouldn't I?

Maybe update it with what you've done in this last year?

[DeeWave]

You could use the same one, but you should try to improve it. Perhaps include more things you've read etc.

If you were rejected last time, there would have been a reason for it (probably interview, though). Don't make the same mistakes again.

Don't get your hopes up too much as it is very competitive and with a previous rejection, you may not be what they are looking for.

Good luck

[ByronicHero]

You could, but I wouldn't. If you have nothing more to say then it's not worth bothering to re-apply tbh.

Good luck though.

[AnonymousPenguin]

In my interviews at Ox they generally looked at holes in the logic to start the interview off. If they do the same at Cam, I'd at least fix those bits.

[ZuzaMagda]

(Original post by annie91)
If it got me an interview last time, I'd be stupid to change it wouldn't I?

Around 95% of applicants are invited for an interview after the University receives their UCAS form, so I wouldn't treat this fact alone as an indicator that your personal statement was too good to risk changing it now. If you have done something worth mentioning this year, I think it's a good idea to introduce a few modifications. That is not to say you have to start from scratch. Just make a few improvements. Quite frankly, I think you're never in a position where everything is so perfect that absolutely no improvements can be made anymore.