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Original post by Zoedotdot
Which is why they only have five maths students 
(Actually they have fifty or something I think... You do have to be pretty damn good though to get in, although people still do incredibly well who aren't at Trinity. My boyfriend (at Emma) came sixth in the year last year
).
(Actually they have fifty or something I think... You do have to be pretty damn good though to get in, although people still do incredibly well who aren't at Trinity. My boyfriend (at Emma) came sixth in the year last year
).Aha no doubt! There was this guy called Jack Smith who is aparantley the best in the country in his year at maths who went to trinity. Really shows the caliber of the students at trinity. But obviously you can do equally as well elsewhere I was just curious :P
Original post by SmithytheDrummer
Just out of interest, did he apply for maths? Because I heard that you have to be in the top 5 at maths in England to be accepted by Trinity because its the best place for maths in the world :/
Well actually it's top 3 (but close enough). My friend and I want to know who the other one of the three is...
(It's more like 60-ish people get offers and around 40-45 get in, in a typical year)
Original post by jonnyboy1993
Well actually it's top 3 (but close enough). My friend and I want to know who the other one of the three is...
(It's more like 60-ish people get offers and around 40-45 get in, in a typical year)
(It's more like 60-ish people get offers and around 40-45 get in, in a typical year)
My teachers lie... Im not really knowledgeable in such areas as I have no interest in maths
Original post by Welsh Lady
Another wannabe medic!
Username: lemony
Subject: Medicine
College: Undecided
AS Subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Philosophy & Ethics
GCSE: 7A* 4A 1B
Original post by jamiepango
Congrats on your offers! 
Just wondering what the interviews were like at Cambridge and LSE? What sort of questions did they ask?
Thanks in advance
Just wondering what the interviews were like at Cambridge and LSE? What sort of questions did they ask?
Thanks in advance
Thanks
I didn't have an interview at LSE, but that means the other factors in your applications have to be top notch. Good GCSEs (you don't need all A*s though, I know some with an LSE econ offer with 3, albeit from a poorly performing school), UMS marks at around 90%(both LSE and Cam look at these) in 3-4 subjects, including maths, preferably econ and preferably further maths (although this should be 1/4 rather than 1/3 subjects) and a good PS (get help on TSR ps help forum) will all help for both LSE and Cam.
I had two interviews, subject and general. I can't go into specifics about them as the questions get reused, but in the subject interview they asked about statistics, core 1-2 maths, basic game theory and a couple of questions on my essay I had sent in. Apart from the fairly simple core maths (which I still stumbled on thanks to not having done it for a while
), the questions did not test any knowledge. Instead, they were looking to see how you thought about the questions, not what you knew. I had done quite a lot of prep by recapping the reading I had mentioned in my PS, but none of it came up. However, some of my friends at other colleges were grilled about what they had mentioned, so it is definitely worth doing some prep. Additionally, I think that despite not being asked about it, the stuff I had mentioned in the PS probably contributed to getting an offer, as it showed enthusiasm and an active interest in the subject. At least I hope it did. If you haven't already done so, read some introductory books, e.g. undercover economist, before reading at least 3-4 more specialised books on topics of interest. This will give you a lot to talk about in the personal statement as well as interview. It is also taking an active interest in the subject and lets you back up your claim that you are enthusiastic and motivated to study your subject at university. There is also an essay competition run by the RES that is worth looking at. Doing that will demonstrate even more of an active interest.
Original post by Bubbles2010
Start preparing in november probs (but do the wider reading as a constant thing, not a 'cram for exam' type near the interview)
(but do the wider reading as a constant thing, not a 'cram for exam' type near the interview)Oh btw did you get any 'weird' questions at interview? We were told one of the medicine interview questions has been 'so what do you think about toast?'
Original post by timkench
did anyone who applied have a complete a level before applying? because i will have that due to the way my FM course works, and i've heard some people say that their offer was increased to four grades as they already had completed one?
I had an A* in single Maths upon applying (Phys NatSci), and my final offer was A*AA not including that. Two other people from my school also got offers for NatSci, and they too were asked for an additional A*. The subject to get an A* in wasn't specified for any of us. My subjects this year are FM, Physics and Economics.
I'm still not quite sure whether this has become the norm for NatSci or if we were all just given hard offers. There's someone else I know on TSR who's in a similar situation, i'm not sure if he's got anything to add.
RK92
.
Original post by IchiCC
I had an A* in single Maths upon applying (Phys NatSci), and my final offer was A*AA not including that. Two other people from my school also got offers for NatSci, and they too were asked for an additional A*. The subject to get an A* in wasn't specified for any of us. My subjects this year are FM, Physics and Economics.
I'm still not quite sure whether this has become the norm for NatSci or if we were all just given hard offers. There's someone else I know on TSR who's in a similar situation, i'm not sure if he's got anything to add.
I'm still not quite sure whether this has become the norm for NatSci or if we were all just given hard offers. There's someone else I know on TSR who's in a similar situation, i'm not sure if he's got anything to add.
same here, i had an A* in maths a level after year 12 and will be doing physics, chem and fmaths in year 13 - my offer is A*AA in physics, chem and fmaths (A* unspecified) so if i go to cambridge, i will effectively need A*A*AA.
same for another guy who im good friends with - got an A* early and needs another to get into cambridge (he does the same subjects as me)
seems like proving you can get an A* a year early means nothing tbh
i dont mind, though - i always expected my offer to be A*AA in one sitting (on top of the early a level), but what irritates me is seeing people who have taken 6 maths modules (but not declared their a level in fmaths) getting offered A*AA when all they need to do to get the A* is declare their modules as a completed qualification (this did happen, but im too drunk to find the example atm, will look tomorrow)Original post by RK92
same here, i had an A* in maths a level after year 12 and will be doing physics, chem and fmaths in year 13 - my offer is A*AA in physics, chem and fmaths (A* unspecified) so if i go to cambridge, i will effectively need A*A*AA.
same for another guy who im good friends with - got an A* early and needs another to get into cambridge (he does the same subjects as me)
seems like proving you can get an A* a year early means nothing tbh i dont mind, though - i always expected my offer to be A*AA in one sitting (on top of the early a level), but what irritates me is seeing people who have taken 6 maths modules (but not declared their a level in fmaths) getting offered A*AA when all they need to do to get the A* is declare their modules as a completed qualification (this did happen, but im too drunk to find the example atm, will look tomorrow)
same for another guy who im good friends with - got an A* early and needs another to get into cambridge (he does the same subjects as me)
seems like proving you can get an A* a year early means nothing tbh
i dont mind, though - i always expected my offer to be A*AA in one sitting (on top of the early a level), but what irritates me is seeing people who have taken 6 maths modules (but not declared their a level in fmaths) getting offered A*AA when all they need to do to get the A* is declare their modules as a completed qualification (this did happen, but im too drunk to find the example atm, will look tomorrow)I'm virtually that person. I only had to get an A in C4 to get an A* overall and after Jan results I now have my A*, so I only need 2 As in summer. However this is less of an issue for maths as most mathmos will get A*A* in maths and FM, it's STEP that discriminates between us. It's natsci and engineering where this is more of an issue
Original post by cz100
Oh btw did you get any 'weird' questions at interview? We were told one of the medicine interview questions has been 'so what do you think about toast?'
The wierd questions you get are abit exaggerated by people. In my interviews for last year and this year, I didn't get anything silly like 'describe an orange' or something. I did however get some pretty taxing sciency ones in contexts I had never come across. Its usually the context that is strange, but the science behind it you should know. Even then you get prompted unless you are some super genius.
Honesrly, my advice for the interviews is just to think sciene and logic. Don't guess or be too swift. Think EVERYTHING through and think out aloud. They like thinkers, not regurgitators. Try to think about why things happen in biology and chemistry, not just how they happen. You can't prepare the context, because they will deliberately move to a topic you haven't learnt. But the better you are on basic scientific principles, the better you'll probably do in your interview.
Best of luck! And don't forget the BMAT! (although it seems bubbles2010 has stressed that already)
Original post by SmithytheDrummer
Just out of interest, did he apply for maths? Because I heard that you have to be in the top 5 at maths in England to be accepted by Trinity because its the best place for maths in the world :/
Nope he did not, he applied for Engineering. It's difficult to get into Cambridge to begin with, but I've heard maths is particularly difficult, yes.
Original post by Edwin Okli
What course was he applying for? It seems awful but as they say, any school can predict high grades but UMS scores are really the only evidence of excellent performance. But still, yes, perhaps that was a particularly competitive year or his personal statement wasn't up to scratch.
Do you know if he got reinterviewed?
Do you know if he got reinterviewed?
As above, Engineering
My school are generally very good with their predictions for A level students. His UMS scores are excellent - His lowest UMS score was about 97% and the highest was 99% (298/300 for Chemistry!) . I know these scores because he's in my classes - I would say those are pretty good UMS scores :P
Saying that, I did read his personal statement, and it wasn't strong. It was a bit ramble-y. Also, there's a chance that his interview wasn't great either -there are so many OTHER factors other than your grades which help them make the decision.
I'm just really surprised that with his grades he didn't get an offer from the pool, but like you said, maybe Engineering was really competitive this year. And no, he did not get reinterviewed.
Original post by saey
Just shows that good grades are necessary but not sufficient.
A guy in the year above at my school had all A*s at GCSE, was one of the best in his year at maths (and pretty much everything else for that matter!) and didn't get an offer after being pooled.
A guy in the year above at my school had all A*s at GCSE, was one of the best in his year at maths (and pretty much everything else for that matter!) and didn't get an offer after being pooled.
Yes, that's very true.
But I think it's actually insanely difficult to get an offer from Cambridge for Maths - not by the numbers, the statistics might show that it's not that difficult, but I think the quality of applicants is so insanely high that's it's very difficult.
Interview and personal statement is very important too, so if you have a bad day at interview, unfortunately.....
(oooo look at me being so negative :P)
Original post by Bubbles2010 hehe, college is murray edwards (and seriously, my bmat section one is 3.8,,, so in the bottom 10% of people who took it.......) :P
The offer's A*AA (in any 3 subjects) thank you! and you too
hehe, college is murray edwards (and seriously, my bmat section one is 3.8,,, so in the bottom 10% of people who took it.......) :PThe offer's A*AA (in any 3 subjects)
thank you! and you too Murray Edwards whee! Well obviously they didn't care, because they liked you enough to take you
Did you apply to Murray Edwards or get pooled there?(seeee, grades arent EVERYTHING)
Original post by SabreT
The wierd questions you get are abit exaggerated by people. In my interviews for last year and this year, I didn't get anything silly like 'describe an orange' or something. I did however get some pretty taxing sciency ones in contexts I had never come across. Its usually the context that is strange, but the science behind it you should know. Even then you get prompted unless you are some super genius.
Honesrly, my advice for the interviews is just to think sciene and logic. Don't guess or be too swift. Think EVERYTHING through and think out aloud. They like thinkers, not regurgitators. Try to think about why things happen in biology and chemistry, not just how they happen. You can't prepare the context, because they will deliberately move to a topic you haven't learnt. But the better you are on basic scientific principles, the better you'll probably do in your interview.
Best of luck! And don't forget the BMAT! (although it seems bubbles2010 has stressed that already)
Honesrly, my advice for the interviews is just to think sciene and logic. Don't guess or be too swift. Think EVERYTHING through and think out aloud. They like thinkers, not regurgitators. Try to think about why things happen in biology and chemistry, not just how they happen. You can't prepare the context, because they will deliberately move to a topic you haven't learnt. But the better you are on basic scientific principles, the better you'll probably do in your interview.
Best of luck! And don't forget the BMAT! (although it seems bubbles2010 has stressed that already)
Thanks
I've only tried one full specimen paper 1, but apparently specimen papers are way easier than the real thing?
Original post by kpatb
Original post by kpatb
Nope he did not, he applied for Engineering. It's difficult to get into Cambridge to begin with, but I've heard maths is particularly difficult, yes.
As above, Engineering
My school are generally very good with their predictions for A level students. His UMS scores are excellent - His lowest UMS score was about 97% and the highest was 99% (298/300 for Chemistry!) . I know these scores because he's in my classes - I would say those are pretty good UMS scores :P
Saying that, I did read his personal statement, and it wasn't strong. It was a bit ramble-y. Also, there's a chance that his interview wasn't great either -there are so many OTHER factors other than your grades which help them make the decision.
I'm just really surprised that with his grades he didn't get an offer from the pool, but like you said, maybe Engineering was really competitive this year. And no, he did not get reinterviewed.
As above, Engineering
My school are generally very good with their predictions for A level students. His UMS scores are excellent - His lowest UMS score was about 97% and the highest was 99% (298/300 for Chemistry!) . I know these scores because he's in my classes - I would say those are pretty good UMS scores :P
Saying that, I did read his personal statement, and it wasn't strong. It was a bit ramble-y. Also, there's a chance that his interview wasn't great either -there are so many OTHER factors other than your grades which help them make the decision.
I'm just really surprised that with his grades he didn't get an offer from the pool, but like you said, maybe Engineering was really competitive this year. And no, he did not get reinterviewed.
That's incredible. :\
*bangs head on desk*
Original post by kpatb
Yes, that's very true.
But I think it's actually insanely difficult to get an offer from Cambridge for Maths - not by the numbers, the statistics might show that it's not that difficult, but I think the quality of applicants is so insanely high that's it's very difficult.
Interview and personal statement is very important too, so if you have a bad day at interview, unfortunately.....
(oooo look at me being so negative :P)
But I think it's actually insanely difficult to get an offer from Cambridge for Maths - not by the numbers, the statistics might show that it's not that difficult, but I think the quality of applicants is so insanely high that's it's very difficult.
Interview and personal statement is very important too, so if you have a bad day at interview, unfortunately.....
(oooo look at me being so negative :P)
I'm not sure what you mean by this.
But the guy I'm talking about was the kind of person who consistantly got top 50 in all UKMT olympiads (and twice he got top 10!). He was that kind of insanely good.
And considering there are about 250 places and people who are good at tackling difficult problems with minimum knowledge seem to be the types cambridge look for...
...I don't stand a chance :/ (yay moar negativity!)
Original post by saey
I'm not sure what you mean by this.
But the guy I'm talking about was the kind of person who consistantly got top 50 in all UKMT olympiads (and twice he got top 10!). He was that kind of insanely good.
And considering there are about 250 places and people who are good at tackling difficult problems with minimum knowledge seem to be the types cambridge look for...
...I don't stand a chance :/ (yay moar negativity!)
But the guy I'm talking about was the kind of person who consistantly got top 50 in all UKMT olympiads (and twice he got top 10!). He was that kind of insanely good.
And considering there are about 250 places and people who are good at tackling difficult problems with minimum knowledge seem to be the types cambridge look for...
...I don't stand a chance :/ (yay moar negativity!)
You're applying for maths?
Don't be put off by all the stories you hear about people who got 300897 points in the BMO while sleeping and then got rejected. I didn't even get a certificate in last years maths challenge and yet I have an offer..
Being good at maths challenge style maths =/= being suitable for Cambridge maths.
Original post by saey
I'm not sure what you mean by this.
But the guy I'm talking about was the kind of person who consistantly got top 50 in all UKMT olympiads (and twice he got top 10!). He was that kind of insanely good.
And considering there are about 250 places and people who are good at tackling difficult problems with minimum knowledge seem to be the types cambridge look for...
...I don't stand a chance :/ (yay moar negativity!)
But the guy I'm talking about was the kind of person who consistantly got top 50 in all UKMT olympiads (and twice he got top 10!). He was that kind of insanely good.
And considering there are about 250 places and people who are good at tackling difficult problems with minimum knowledge seem to be the types cambridge look for...
...I don't stand a chance :/ (yay moar negativity!)
Not sure about Trinity - i hear that's stupidly hard to get into for maths - but definitely don't give up on maths at Cambridge. I know quite a few math students in my college and while a few of them are maths champions, quite a few of them aren't. I can think of at least 2 who never entered math olympiads etc. Everyone just hears about the exceptional ones and assume they speak for the whole. They don't
How oversubscribed is history? I was considering human geography but that doesnt really exist 
and besides history is better looked on and I suppose I enjoy it as well. I got 11A* GCSE, call me whatever I've heard it before - are academic scholarships to private schools a good PS thing or do so many applicants have that sort of thing that its pointless? And if you want to do maths, engineering is a slightly easier, if slightly dissimilar option (?)
and besides history is better looked on and I suppose I enjoy it as well. I got 11A* GCSE, call me whatever I've heard it before - are academic scholarships to private schools a good PS thing or do so many applicants have that sort of thing that its pointless? And if you want to do maths, engineering is a slightly easier, if slightly dissimilar option (?)Original post by Chazzer66
And if you want to do maths, engineering is a slightly easier, if slightly dissimilar option (?)
...no.
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