The Official 2017 Cambridge Applicants Thread

Original post by ozmo19

For Medicine (im sitting AS and will receive ums) what UMS marks should I be hoping for across Biology, Chemistry and Maths?
What does the average applicant have and what about those offered an interview/place?

You will only have UMS for Maths. (Unless you are WJEC...)

But back in the day when UMS was used:

Medicine UMS students.jpg

Reply 1404

I can do this

7

Original post by rosemondtan

Is it your school policy not to sit the AS exams?

Yep

not sure if that's a bad thing or a good thing though TBH

Reply 1405

rosemondtan

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Original post by I can do this

Yep

not sure if that's a bad thing or a good thing though TBH

I understand how you feel! I was facing that dilemma too awhile back because that is my school's policy but I decided to just do it anyway because I don't have GCSE qualifications (I assume you do?) I'm an international student studying here :smile:

Reply 1406

ozmo19

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Original post by jneill

You will only have UMS for Maths. (Unless you are WJEC...)

But back in the day when UMS was used:

Medicine UMS students.jpg

I do CCEA. I said i would be receiving UMS, as I will be, to avoid confusion because you tried to tell me the same thing before

Reply 1407

Original post by ozmo19

I do CCEA. I said i would be receiving UMS, as I will be, to avoid confusion because you tried to tell me the same thing before

So if you have UMS then that chart may be useful. But don't forget, your application is not just one UMS average... it's all about your total application.

Reply 1408

This year with the new AS exams will there be UMS? Will we be able to see our marks on results day or just our grades (I'm doing all AQA btw)?

Reply 1409

Original post by funky386

This year with the new AS exams will there be UMS? Will we be able to see our marks on results day or just our grades (I'm doing all AQA btw)?

No. And not as standard, although your school may be able to request the marks.

Reply 1410

Original post by jneill

No. And not as standard, although your school may be able to request the marks.

Would universities (e.g. Cambridge) be able to request/ automatically see the marks even if we can't normally?

Reply 1411

Original post by funky386

Would universities (e.g. Cambridge) be able to request/ automatically see the marks even if we can't normally?

No

Reply 1412

WhisperingTide

10

I got an offer with crappy GCSE's, one of my predicted A-level grades being a D and little to no extracurricular experience.
I think it rests mainly on your personal statement and interview.

Never believe you're 'not good enough', just work at it.

Reply 1413

Original post by jneill

No

So what are Cambridge going to do if they can't shortlist people by UMS? What will be prioritised? GCSEs? Cambridge entrance tests?

Reply 1414

Original post by funky386

So what are Cambridge going to do if they can't shortlist people by UMS? What will be prioritised? GCSEs? Cambridge entrance tests?

They are very used to assessing applicants without UMS (e.g. IB, Scottish qualifications, etc, etc).

They will not be prioritising GCSEs - they aren't a good indicator of future Tripos success.

The new Admissions Assessments will certainly be in the mix, but not to the exclusion of everything else. They will continue to interview approx 80% of applicants and build as good a picture as they can.

Reply 1415