The Big "Are My Grades Good Enough for Cambridge?" Thread (Mk1)

Quick question (i searched through most of the thread, but couldn't find it):

If you have taken Further Maths AS a year early (yr11) and got a C overall, then took it properly in yr12 and definitely gonna b on course for a few 100%'s as i've paced through C1,2,3,4 M1 S1...and the course I'm on does half of AS Maths with half of AS Further Maths (new spec) so it'll be easier for me for both years. So if It's a very good A, would Cambridge look at the retakes or just the new UMS mark that I have for the individual modules?? I also am doing Al'evel economics a year early and am set on an A! I just wanted to ask about the retake marks...

They ask for all your marks, including retakes.

@alex_hk90, hello, I got an offer from Pembroke college. AAAB. we might see each other in october.

Has anyone done the Veterinary Medicine course at Cambridge? How was it?

Also, what are the chances of someone from new zealand (i.e. me) getting into that course? GCSE marks were ABBBC and waiting for AS marks which should be about ABAB.

The average GCSE grades on the course are something like 6A*'s and 4A's.

I'm considering doing economics at Uni (something in the way of Business anyway) and I do Business Studies (our school doesn't offer Economics)

Is it true that because BS is a soft subject, Cambridge would be likely to flat out reject me on paper (without interview)?

If the senario was changed so that I wanted to do medicine, a flat out rejection would be very likely also, aye?

I just want to get my facts straight, thanks in advance =)

Ok, I realise there are hundreds of threads on grades and everything, but I still have to ask! I got 4 A's, 4 B's and 4 C's in my GCSES (One A was music, taken a year early). I know these are not 'Cambridge Grades' but I am now predicted 4 A's in my AS' (since i finally worked out that I need to do some work) and I have lots of EC's (mainly music, like JRAM, NYO) and I'm taking my Grade 8 Music Theory this term... do you think there is any chance I could get even an interview? Thanks

They don't put a lot of emphasis on ECs I'm afraid. What subjects are your AS levels in? If they are in strong traditional subjects and you still get all A grades I'd say you've still got a good crack becuase it shows you've improved.

I'm doing Music, Psychology, Maths and Design Technology...They're not very traditional... oh dear. Could I do anything (like AEAs or anything?) to maybe get an interview?!

DT is a 'blacklisted' subject, and pscyhology isnt that well respected (to my knowledge). Maths is a traditional one and music is also quite respected.

Your ec's would be relavent if you are applying for music?

However, I think that a large amount of oxbridge applicants have amazing extra curriculars (I, for example, have done grade 8 singing and guitar, been in over 40 productions with companies such as the national youth theatre and the ACT drama school in San Fransisco, and have played 1st team rugby, hockey and athletics for 3 years, as well as holding up a job, being a senior prefect, and doing piano, kung fu, and bass lessons).

edit - but if you get 4 high A's, you will def get an interview. In your interview its all down to you.

Hello,
I have a question about resits and how they affect the chances of getting in.

Dont stop reading yet please!

I sat S1 module in Math which in my school is usually done in 7th year (upper 6th) this january. That is because I want to do math a-level in one year. However, I did it very badly (skipped about 24 points out of 75) because I was overconfident and focused on C3 and FP1 too much.

If I repeat the module in june - would it affect my application? Would they know that I resat?

Thank you for all the answers, I'm having a hard time now