[PiazzaNewYorkCatcher13]

I'm so glad I found this thread, I applied this year to Clare for PPS, and was unsuccessful after being pooled. I also got rejected from Durham, and although I'm waiting to hear back from LSE, I think I applied for the wrong subject.
I'm from Scotland, so I'm currently studying four Advanced Highers (English, Maths, French and Spanish) and I got 5 As at Higher last year, including 97% in French and Spanish. So why didn't I apply for MML???
So at the moment, I'm considering re-applying to Cambridge next year to study MML, and taking a gap year to do some voluntary English teaching. I've also recently visited the European Parliament on a French immersion trip and am spending three weeks in Beijing this summer to learn Mandarin, which I think would look great on my application.
But I'm glad there are other people in the same boat, I was worried that Cambridge would look down on people applying for a different subject, because you obviously didn't want to get in that badly, but in hindsight, I was a much better candidate for MML than PPS...

[comrade_jon]

(Original post by PiazzaNewYorkCatcher13)
I'm so glad I found this thread, I applied this year to Clare for PPS, and was unsuccessful after being pooled. I also got rejected from Durham, and although I'm waiting to hear back from LSE, I think I applied for the wrong subject.
I'm from Scotland, so I'm currently studying four Advanced Highers (English, Maths, French and Spanish) and I got 5 As at Higher last year, including 97% in French and Spanish. So why didn't I apply for MML???
So at the moment, I'm considering re-applying to Cambridge next year to study MML, and taking a gap year to do some voluntary English teaching. I've also recently visited the European Parliament on a French immersion trip and am spending three weeks in Beijing this summer to learn Mandarin, which I think would look great on my application.
But I'm glad there are other people in the same boat, I was worried that Cambridge would look down on people applying for a different subject, because you obviously didn't want to get in that badly, but in hindsight, I was a much better candidate for MML than PPS...

You will have to justify the change in heart don't forget, since it might look a bit suspicious that you've changed subject to match your better grades. Obviously that's not true, you love MML but just make that clear.

Otherwise good luck I applied after my A2s and found the process a lot easier than many others with their conditionals did, so all the best

[kpatb]

(Original post by misostars)
Hey, just saw you in this thread and had to ask a few questions. I applied for History this year at Emmanuel Cambridge- was pooled and then rejected. I recieved my feedback which said they were impressed with me in one interview but not the other- hence the pooling decision. Cambridge wasn't the dream until this year, as I have an offer for Durham. However, now I want it even more and am considering taking a year out with further study and work and re-applying but maybe to another college if I recieve my predicted grades this year (A*A*AA). What advice can you offer? I see your sig has unconditional in, did you reapply? Thank youuuuu

As comrade said, you have an offer from DURHAM! It's one of the best and most competitive History courses to get into in the Uk from what I've heard so you should consider yourself lucky Cambridge is not the be all and end all... Durham's an excellent university. Given the increase in fees and the fact that you'll be a year, then maybe it's a better option for you to consider Cambridge at another stage in your educational career?

[Turkleton]

Hello,

I am considering reapplying for Cambridge to study either History and Politics or Law

I am predicted three A*'s in English Literature, History and Theatre Studies with an A predicted for an AS in Government and Politics.

My GCSE's were abysmal as I got 1 A, 3 B's, 6 C's

I have offers from York and Cardiff to study Law, however I am very much considering reapplying for Cambridge as I desire to study in Oxbridge (Applied to Oxford last year)

I feel that at an interview I might be able to impress, however I was not given an Interview at Oxford. I have heard that Oxford interviews a far smaller percentage of its applicants compared to Cambridge and 80%.

If I reapplied would I have any chance of:

- An Interview
- An Offer

Advice from anyone that has been through this sort of situation would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

[Junaid16]

Spam.

[Turkleton]

(Original post by Junaid16)
Spam.

Useful..

[Junaid16]

(Original post by Turkleton)
Useful..

Soz But, just give it a shot, you've got nothing to lose. If you actually meet your predictions, then your GCSEs will be almost irrelevant.

[Turkleton]

(Original post by Junaid16)
Soz But, just give it a shot, you've got nothing to lose. If you actually meet your predictions, then your GCSEs will be almost irrelevant.

Haha thank you, I'll give it a shot.

[multiplexing-gamer]

Your GCSE's aren't good though?

[guitarmike456]

(Original post by Turkleton)
Hello,

I am considering reapplying for Cambridge to study either History and Politics or Law

I am predicted three A*'s in English Literature, History and Theatre Studies with an A predicted for an AS in Government and Politics.

My GCSE's were abysmal as I got 1 A, 3 B's, 6 C's

I have offers from York and Cardiff to study Law, however I am very much considering reapplying for Cambridge as I desire to study in Oxbridge (Applied to Oxford last year)

I feel that at an interview I might be able to impress, however I was not given an Interview at Oxford. I have heard that Oxford interviews a far smaller percentage of its applicants compared to Cambridge and 80%.

If I reapplied would I have any chance of:

- An Interview
- An Offer

Advice from anyone that has been through this sort of situation would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

whichever way you look at it, they're gonna have most applicants with straight A*'s, so your GCSE's really will set you back I'm afraid :/

I really don't think its worth the cost.

[lexitaylor]

I know it's not what you want to hear but I heard from a friend who read history at oxford, that when it came down to choosing from the applicants it was all done on GCSEs and interviews. This is because everyone usually takes A-levels in subjects that they are good at and are therefore more likely to get better grades. Oxbridge therefore know, what they view as, the really exceptional all-rounder students from their GCSE grades. They also prefer interviews over your personal statement as everyone sounds like the best thing on earth in their personal statement so its very hard to distinguish people. Interviews are a much better judge.

This is largely from one professor at one college so take it as rumour mill but you may want to consider it.

Good luck.

[Turkleton]

(Original post by lexitaylor)
I know it's not what you want to hear but I heard from a friend who read history at oxford, that when it came down to choosing from the applicants it was all done on GCSEs and interviews. This is because everyone usually takes A-levels in subjects that they are good at and are therefore more likely to get better grades. Oxbridge therefore know, what they view as, the really exceptional all-rounder students from their GCSE grades. They also prefer interviews over your personal statement as everyone sounds like the best thing on earth in their personal statement so its very hard to distinguish people. Interviews are a much better judge.

This is largely from one professor at one college so take it as rumour mill but you may want to consider it.

Good luck.

So if an individual was perhaps magnificent in their Interview it might reduce the significance of GCSE's? Wishful thinking I suppose.

[Zoedotdot]

(Original post by lexitaylor)
I know it's not what you want to hear but I heard from a friend who read history at oxford, that when it came down to choosing from the applicants it was all done on GCSEs and interviews. This is because everyone usually takes A-levels in subjects that they are good at and are therefore more likely to get better grades. Oxbridge therefore know, what they view as, the really exceptional all-rounder students from their GCSE grades. They also prefer interviews over your personal statement as everyone sounds like the best thing on earth in their personal statement so its very hard to distinguish people. Interviews are a much better judge.

This is largely from one professor at one college so take it as rumour mill but you may want to consider it.

Good luck.

It's certainly not that way at Cambridge. All parts of the application are considered, and in many cases stronger AS levels can make up for comparatively weak GCSEs. Often people don't hit their academic stride until A level, and GCSE results aren't necessarily a reliable indicator of degree performance. Indeed, several of my friends (mostly boys) have comparatively worse GCSEs than I do and are doing miles better in their degrees, so it's all relative. I would say that the interview is the most important bit and can make up for grades that aren't quite up to scratch, but that's not something that can be relied upon and you will need to have as strong an academic profile as possible heading into the interview.

[A level Az]

:O

[gethsemane342]

(Original post by Turkleton)
Hello,

I am considering reapplying for Cambridge to study either History and Politics or Law

I am predicted three A*'s in English Literature, History and Theatre Studies with an A predicted for an AS in Government and Politics.

My GCSE's were abysmal as I got 1 A, 3 B's, 6 C's

I have offers from York and Cardiff to study Law, however I am very much considering reapplying for Cambridge as I desire to study in Oxbridge (Applied to Oxford last year)

I feel that at an interview I might be able to impress, however I was not given an Interview at Oxford. I have heard that Oxford interviews a far smaller percentage of its applicants compared to Cambridge and 80%.

If I reapplied would I have any chance of:

- An Interview
- An Offer

Advice from anyone that has been through this sort of situation would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

Obviously i'm not an admissions tutor so don't take my statement as the be all and end all. However, in addition to poor GCSEs, your subjects - for law at the least - aren't the best; Cambridge like 3 academic subjects at A2. (Although the improvement, grade-wise, may work in your favour - Cambridge do prefer UMS to GCSE, i believe)

There is also no course (so far as i'm aware) called history and politics at Cambridge. There is history in which you can probably study the history of politics (again, i don't know for sure) and there is PPS. However, i don't know anything about their subject requirements so i'll be quiet here.

If you get an interview, you're in with a chance but i'm not sure how good that chance will be. If I were you, i'd probably accept one of the other offers.

If you can, try and ask a Cambridge admissions tutor about the subject situation at least, if you want to apply for law.

[comrade_jon]

In response to gethsemane and turkleton, there is no History and Politics at Cambridge. History offers a few 'History of Political Thought' papers which are ideological papers, and you can choose specific timeframes to examine purely political issues if you wish, there is a lot of choice for History. PPS is more social sciences intensive, I think after a year you can drop one of the letters if you wish though (e.g. keep Politics and Sociology, no more Psychology). If you want specific advice on History, do send me a PM.

GCSE wise I think you'd be fine because you'd be applying post A-Levels when GCSEs become even less important. You would definitely need A*s in English and History though I feel to make up for the fact you have a soft subject, Theatre Studies. If you could, I would consider taking Politics to A2 self-taught during a gap year. You would definitely have to impress at interview, but remember you'd be giving up a place at a good uni, York, to risk it all for Cambridge. Much explanation of your circumstances would be required, particularly by your reference, although you wouldn't have to admit this is your second cycle on UCAS, but you would need to explain why you're applying post-A2, what you're doing for your gap year etc.

[joebarron]

here my situation:

Am looking to re-apply next year to cambridge:

Am likely to get A*A*A in Maths, Economics and Physics respectively.
In my gap year i want to take AS further maths and should be able to get an A.

GCSE's: 8 A's 2 B's due to mitigating circumstances with my family which will be in my reference.

Would i be considered for Economics at Cambridge? Could anyone shed some light on what happens in the interview or point me to a threat about it please?

Thanks in advance.

[Eccle1993]

(Original post by PiazzaNewYorkCatcher13)
I'm so glad I found this thread, I applied this year to Clare for PPS, and was unsuccessful after being pooled. I also got rejected from Durham, and although I'm waiting to hear back from LSE, I think I applied for the wrong subject.
I'm from Scotland, so I'm currently studying four Advanced Highers (English, Maths, French and Spanish) and I got 5 As at Higher last year, including 97% in French and Spanish. So why didn't I apply for MML???
So at the moment, I'm considering re-applying to Cambridge next year to study MML, and taking a gap year to do some voluntary English teaching. I've also recently visited the European Parliament on a French immersion trip and am spending three weeks in Beijing this summer to learn Mandarin, which I think would look great on my application.
But I'm glad there are other people in the same boat, I was worried that Cambridge would look down on people applying for a different subject, because you obviously didn't want to get in that badly, but in hindsight, I was a much better candidate for MML than PPS...

Another Scottish Clare applicant (The subject thing was similar for me, but I'm not reapplying, as my other choices are more flexible degree structures) just wanted to say good luck ) It sounds like you stand a good chance, my impression was that Cam were quite relaxed about people changing direction - I've heard of a few people who've reapplied for different subjects and been accepted. Also although I'm not certain whether you're allowed to apply for the same college (?) the Clare MML people I met at my interview were really really nice

[thechosennerf]

I have a friend who applied for Biological Sciences, did that for two years, dropped out, and reapplied for Education. She got in and didn't seem to have any problems.

[Lannister]

Hello,

Last year I applied to Cambridge and got in, but I missed my offer. I think about applying the same course and the same college. Do u think thats a good idea?I am already a first year at another uni, but I am willing to start again..
Do I have to indicate it somehow on my UCAS Account that i am a student in uni?
Thanks a lot, Cheers