HI Dr Spencer,
Thanks a lot for doing this!
I am looking to study history (although not at Murray Edwards, sorry!) and I have a few queries. I am a post A-Level applicant, currently on a gap year. For reference, my grades are A*AA (EPQ A*), with the A* in history
(UMS AS: 98.5% History, 100% Government and Politics, 88% Economics
UMS A2: 94.5% History, 85% Government and Politics, 88.5% Economics).
1) do you consider UMS for the whole A-level when a student has done both AS and A2, or do you consider only the AS, or A2, by itself?
2) as my UMS has dipped slightly from AS (96%) to A2 (89%), is that a cause for concern for admissions?
3) do you have any rough idea what the % of successful history applicants at Cambridge is who have only got A*AA?
4) is the admissions test a positive assessment (i.e. people with subpar grades get interviewed because they do well in the admissions test) or is a negative one (i.e. similar to the HAT where you are eliminated if you do badly)? What kind of % are you looking for in the test, or is it heavily dependent on what other people get? - essentially how much does the admissions test count for?
5) based on my results, do you think there is a realistic chance I could get in or would you, if you were me, apply to the 'other place' as there's a higher probability of success?
6) do the interviews vary across colleges a lot for history?
7) and are interviews (generally) based more on personal statement or unfamiliar material?
Thanks!