[eve_22]

Hi everyone,

I am 22 years old and considering applying to Cambridge to study Law...I will be doing an Access course (Legal Method Certificate) at Birkbeck for a year and hope to get an offer from a university to start in 2009...

Anw, I have read a lot about Cambridge colleges and it says that as a mature student, it is adviced to choose a college, rather then make an open application...I know that I probably have the best shot at mature student college, Hughes Hall, however, as it is mainly dominated by graduates, I think I might be feeling a bit lonely there...

Other colleges seem quite harsh and mainly consider those with tradition A levels, rather then an Access course... (please correct me if I am wrong)...

So should I take my chances and make an open application or just stick to Hughes Hall and try it that way?

Any advice would be appreciated...Thanks

[jismith1989]

I'd stick to Hughes Hall, if you know that they are likely to consider your application seriously. For such a competitive subject as Law especially, I did believe that Oxbridge did not accept Access courses -- however, this may not be the case at some of the more progressive colleges. Have you e-mailed admissions at Hughes Hall or the Law Department generally regarding your situation? I would advise you to do so, if you haven't already.

Also, why do you think you'd be lonely at a graduate college?

EDIT: I've just noticed that it says in your profile that you study at the university of Essex: what's that about? Did you drop out? If so, that may not look particularly favourable.

[Craghyrax]

I'm a mature student. When I applied I just looked at all the colleges and applied to the one I liked most, which wasn't a mature student college. I would only make an open application if you really don't mind where you end up. If you like a particular college, then apply there. All colleges will consider an applicant's individual circumstances as mature students. In this respect Hughes Hall isn't going to be any nicer to you than any other college.

[Hopefull]

I e-mailed Cambridge as I was a Mature student with non-standard qualifications, I was curious :-) I was told they would only really look at me with A-Levels. HNC'S and D's were seen as too "vocational" and as I held an HND I would not even be interviewed. I could appreciate that if it was taken in say accounting but my HND was all academic subjects.

I am not sure how they would view an access course but my advice would be to check before starting anything, no point in wasting a year preparing only to fall at the first hurdle.

[eve_22]

Originally Posted by Hopefull

I e-mailed Cambridge as I was a Mature student with non-standard qualifications, I was curious :-) I was told they would only really look at me with A-Levels. HNC'S and D's were seen as too "vocational" and as I held an HND I would not even be interviewed. I could appreciate that if it was taken in say accounting but my HND was all academic subjects.

I am not sure how they would view an access course but my advice would be to check before starting anything, no point in wasting a year preparing only to fall at the first hurdle.

Thanks for all your advice...

Hughes Hall admissions page says that they sometimes even prefer certain Access courses to A levels...So I guess it shouldnt be a problem...Plus the access course is at Birkbeck, UOL so it should be ok, I hope...

I will email the admissions officer and ask though...

[eve_22]

EDIT: I've just noticed that it says in your profile that you study at the university of Essex: what's that about? Did you drop out? If so, that may not look particularly favourable.[/quote]

No I didnt drop out...Just decided not to go there I put it on my profile too early

[eve_22]

Originally Posted by Craghyrax

I'm a mature student. When I applied I just looked at all the colleges and applied to the one I liked most, which wasn't a mature student college. I would only make an open application if you really don't mind where you end up. If you like a particular college, then apply there. All colleges will consider an applicant's individual circumstances as mature students. In this respect Hughes Hall isn't going to be any nicer to you than any other college.

Would you mind if I ask what qualifications did you have when you applied? and would it then be such a bad thing to make an open application? it says that they are allocated to those colleges who had fewer applicants that year fro that particular subject so maybe it could be a good thing?

[KwungSun]

IF you make an open application to Cambridge you will be AUTOMATICALLY assigned to one of the graduate colleges. If you do not wish to go to a graduate college you have to apply to a SPECIFIC traditional college.

[Craghyrax]

Originally Posted by eve_22

Would you mind if I ask what qualifications did you have when you applied?

A levels and HIGCSEs

Originally Posted by eve_22

and would it then be such a bad thing to make an open application?

Huh?

Originally Posted by eve_22

it says that they are allocated to those colleges who had fewer applicants that year fro that particular subject so maybe it could be a good thing?

Uh yeh, but that's no different to the pool. It doesn't increase your chances, it just gives them freedom to put you where they prefer.

[eve_22]

Originally Posted by Craghyrax

A levels and HIGCSEs

Huh?

Uh yeh, but that's no different to the pool. It doesn't increase your chances, it just gives them freedom to put you where they prefer.

Thanks

[JoeJBB]

Originally Posted by jismith1989

I've just noticed that it says in your profile that you study at the university of Essex: what's that about? Did you drop out? If so, that may not look particularly favourable.

It doesn't - I dropped out of Lancaster on a completely different course, andam now reapplying for 2009, with Cambridge as one choice. I emailed the admissions tutor of the college I am now applying to (wasn't at the time) to ask about the concerns you raise. I was assured that having dropped out of a previous course, it would not be a disadvantage in any way AT ALL so long as you could justify it; they may even look faovurably on it as it shows the commitment you're willing to make to start this new course of study (£7,000 down the drain in my case haha).

Regarding the original question, if you make an open application it will be assigned to one of the specific mature students colleges, so I applied to a specific college (Sidney Sussex)

J

[KwungSun]

Originally Posted by JoeJBB

It doesn't - I dropped out of Lancaster on a completely different course, andam now reapplying for 2009, with Cambridge as one choice. I emailed the admissions tutor of the college I am now applying to (wasn't at the time) to ask about the concerns you raise. I was assured that having dropped out of a previous course, it would not be a disadvantage in any way AT ALL so long as you could justify it; they may even look faovurably on it as it shows the commitment you're willing to make to start this new course of study (£7,000 down the drain in my case haha).

Regarding the original question, if you make an open application it will be assigned to one of the specific mature students colleges, so I applied to a specific college (Sidney Sussex)

J

What made you decide against a mature student college?

[JoeJBB]

Originally Posted by KwungSun

What made you decide against a mature student college?

Hmmm well I wouldn't dislike a mature student college, but I'll only be 21, so will only just be a mature student, and I'd prefer to be with people 18/19ish - because there's practically no difference . Whereas with someone who was about 30, I think I'd feel a divide more.

Also, as I understand it, mature students colleges have facilities partly for people who've had a break in education. I haven't really had that - A levels, gap year, one year of uni, now - so don't really need those facilities.

Having said that, I'd be over the moon if anywhere accepted me

J

[eve_22]

Originally Posted by JoeJBB

It doesn't - I dropped out of Lancaster on a completely different course, andam now reapplying for 2009, with Cambridge as one choice. I emailed the admissions tutor of the college I am now applying to (wasn't at the time) to ask about the concerns you raise. I was assured that having dropped out of a previous course, it would not be a disadvantage in any way AT ALL so long as you could justify it; they may even look faovurably on it as it shows the commitment you're willing to make to start this new course of study (£7,000 down the drain in my case haha).

Regarding the original question, if you make an open application it will be assigned to one of the specific mature students colleges, so I applied to a specific college (Sidney Sussex)

J

Are you a mature student too then?

[KwungSun]

Originally Posted by JoeJBB

Hmmm well I wouldn't dislike a mature student college, but I'll only be 21, so will only just be a mature student, and I'd prefer to be with people 18/19ish - because there's practically no difference . Whereas with someone who was about 30, I think I'd feel a divide more.

Also, as I understand it, mature students colleges have facilities partly for people who've had a break in education. I haven't really had that - A levels, gap year, one year of uni, now - so don't really need those facilities.

Having said that, I'd be over the moon if anywhere accepted me

J

Cool, good luck. You're making me reconsider. I was going to apply to a mature college but I'm only year older than you and in a similar(ish) situation...better put my thinking hat on.

[eve_22]

Originally Posted by KwungSun

Cool, good luck. You're making me reconsider. I was going to apply to a mature college but I'm only year older than you and in a similar(ish) situation...better put my thinking hat on.

Good luck to you both! I will have to think long and hard whether I should just pick a college or make an open application...At the end of the day, I would be more then happy to be accepted into either of the colleges anyway...


I emailed 8 colleges of my choice and will have to see what they say...

[Craghyrax]

Originally Posted by JoeJBB

Hmmm well I wouldn't dislike a mature student college, but I'll only be 21, so will only just be a mature student, and I'd prefer to be with people 18/19ish - because there's practically no difference . Whereas with someone who was about 30, I think I'd feel a divide more.

Also, as I understand it, mature students colleges have facilities partly for people who've had a break in education. I haven't really had that - A levels, gap year, one year of uni, now - so don't really need those facilities.

Yep That was my thinking at the time, and it worked.

In addition to your points - mature student colleges aren't as well funded as some of the more traditional colleges. As a result my friend at St Eds really struggled to find enough books for his course in his college library, whereas my college library can afford to cater to everybody's needs.

[Helenia]

I should point out that as a female mature student, you're fairly likely to get allocated to Lucy Cavendish if you make an open application. Now, that might be fine with you (from what I've seen, it's very nice), but if you don't want to go there, I'd advise picking a college.

[eve_22]

Originally Posted by Helenia

I should point out that as a female mature student, you're fairly likely to get allocated to Lucy Cavendish if you make an open application. Now, that might be fine with you (from what I've seen, it's very nice), but if you don't want to go there, I'd advise picking a college.

I emailed a few colleges at Cambridge, stating my specific circumstances. So far got two replies and both told me to look at admissions page for mature student and notes on Access courses on the website...Shame, as it really doesnt answer all of my questions...

[Takahashi]

apply to a mature college, the fact is if you have unusual qualification or an unusual route into HE then they will be far better equipped to assess you as an individual.