[ideas2ink]

Hello, just made this account here after reading an old post,

First, YES, I know the gruesome costs of Cambridge, and that there is NO help for struggling American students, like myself (I'm trying to obtain as much money from grants and loans as possible). I'm just asking if you think Cambridge is a good choice for me, considering my circumstances:

a student with high scores in 5 SAT Subject Tests (2 were languages) and 5's in 7 AP's (4 self-taught) and one published work here in New York. Hopefully, I will be learning Latin and Greek in the future.

HOWEVER, my attendence during high school here has been very poor due to some family/financial situations. I basically have no extracurriculars like sports or volunteer work, which makes me a highly unsavory candidate for US universities. Here, they won't even consider you if attendence isn't up to par and you don't have a laundry list of EC's (for quality unis, at least). I'm hoping they don't look for these in the UK. One of my reasons for seriously thinking of Cambridge, particularly, is because of the weight and quality and history of its humanities department. People have told me to go for liberal arts colleges here in the States, but they look at the aforementioned criteria, as well.
I know at Cambridge that you cannot study two subjects concurrently, so, I'm on the fence with either English lit., History, Classics, or Philosophy

I have my heart set on UK unis because I think they care about intellect and aptitude solely, and what's pertinent to the course you'll pursue. I'm hoping they will not look at attendance and fancy things like clubs, etc, that American unis do.

Do you think, considering my circumstances (financially needy student with horrible attendance and no EC'S, BUT, high exam scores, published work, with more on the way, and strong fervor for learning), that I should go to Cambridge? Do you think the possible debt is worth it, knowing I most likely will not get accepted to any private colleges here?

If further details are needed, I'll add them; I just wanted to adopt a more personable tone, rather than sound so pretentious and elitist.

*High school attendance plays a factor in the same way as grades for the private unis ('tells a lot about the person and future behaviors,' so I'm more concerned with the role of HS attendance, out of the two.

[Lorem Ipsum]

I think it is wrong to assume there is any difference is in terms of ECs for English universities, however if your family/financial situation were poor enough, and you can justify your dilemma, I can't see why that necessarily matters.

Edit:

I wrote this quite a while ago, and I feel I was slightly mistaken and mysphrased my response. What I should of said was basically that not having any ECs won't help you but it also will not hurt you; certainly not for arts subjects such as what you want to apply for (medicine and such may be different). Sorry.

[Got the tshirt]

Cambridge profess to not care about ECs. Any poor attendance detailed in your academic reference can be explained in the SAQ and as long as you get the results would probably not be a factor. Saying that Cambridge do insist that you attend the majority of lectures etc and poor attendance whilst at the uni would be frowned on however talented you are.

I think you have to give a financial guarantee that you can pay the fees.

[ideas2ink]

My attendance was in equal parts due to that and, I admit, just overall complacency on my part.

However, while reading their website, there was no mention of EC's that weren't pertinent to studies.

[ideas2ink]

(Original post by Got the tshirt)
Cambridge profess to not care about ECs. Any poor attendance detailed in your academic reference can be explained in the SAQ and as long as you get the results would probably not be a factor. Saying that Cambridge do insist that you attend the majority of lectures etc and poor attendance whilst at the uni would be frowned on however talented you are.

I think you have to give a financial guarantee that you can pay the fees.

Thanks for clarifying for me. I know attendance is very important; things are improving and I'm more mature now, I just meant that things weren't going so well in high school.

[timelordess2]

You would do well to look at Cambridge with your academics. From my experience, the most important thing is your grades, and how you perform at interview. You do not need masses of extra-curriculars or even any at all to be in with a chance of succeeding.

You do need to find the subject out of the four you have listed that you are most passionate about, because they are looking for a very strong interest in the subject you are applying for- it's no good being on the fence in an interview! The Cambridge Tripos system allows you to change subject but you will stand a better chance of getting in in the first place if you stick to one subject. I have a friend who applied one year for English and declared that she wanted to change to Philosophy, and didn't get in. She reapplied the next year for straight English and got in.

I'm not too sure about the financial side of being an international since I'm a UK student entitled to loans, but I still have some student debt. Cambridge is an excellent uni and before I got in I would have given my right leg to go there. I haven't been disappointed yet and it has been worth every penny that I will have to work my arse off to pay.

[Dirac Delta Function]

(Original post by ideas2ink)
Do you think, considering my circumstances (financially needy student with horrible attendance and no EC'S, BUT, high exam scores, published work, with more on the way, and strong fervor for learning), that I should go to Cambridge? Do you think the possible debt is worth it, knowing I most likely will not get accepted to any private colleges here?

If further details are needed, I'll add them; I just wanted to adopt a more personable tone, rather than sound so pretentious and elitist.

They don't care about ECs.

[ideas2ink]

Another thing to note: my high school isn't all that great to be honest; most of this work is from my independent study. And yes, sadly, the rank (or lack, thereof) of your high school makes a difference here. Academically, high school in NY is like a dog race. If I end up going to college here, I'll have to place anything but the Ivies. Though I'm not upset with that

Oh... and thanks all for the help in clarifying this for me! I have a better picture of what to expect now.

[Aesc]

Regarding subjects: if you really can't choose, I'd suggest looking at Scottish unis (Edinburgh maybe?) as well, they let you do three subjects in your first two years (but I don't know how the fees compare). Alternatively, Oxford let you study two subjects at the same time.

Now that the balance is out of the way, I'm sure you're aware that if you study Classics you'll be studying Philosophy, History and Literature, just with a focus on one specific (but still very broad) period. Go with Classics. And then you won't need joint honours and don't need to apply to Oxford. I'm not at all biased...

There might be access to financial hardship funds, although these are more for when you incur costs you couldn't have anticipated. Perhaps it might be possible to take a year to work and save to make things easier? But if you have very few prospects in America, it's definitely worth a go.

[ideas2ink]

(Original post by Aesc)
Regarding subjects: if you really can't choose, I'd suggest looking at Scottish unis (Edinburgh maybe?) as well, they let you do three subjects in your first two years (but I don't know how the fees compare). Alternatively, Oxford let you study two subjects at the same time.

Now that the balance is out of the way, I'm sure you're aware that if you study Classics you'll be studying Philosophy, History and Literature, just with a focus on one specific (but still very broad) period. Go with Classics. And then you won't need joint honours and don't need to apply to Oxford. I'm not at all biased...

There might be access to financial hardship funds, although these are more for when you incur costs you couldn't have anticipated. Perhaps it might be possible to take a year to work and save to make things easier? But if you have very few prospects in America, it's definitely worth a go.

Thanks a lot; and with that description, I think Classics is a perfect fit. I've looked into Oxford, decided it's not for me. I'll have a look into Scottish unis

And... I mean there are prospects for me--I did take the SAT's and such--I would just like to get into a private uni. Of course I'd be okay with not going to the elites, just not okay with community college types. I was looking into public state colleges here, like the liberal arts colleges I've previously mentioned.

[-raisa]

(Original post by ideas2ink)
X

Hello,

I'm a Canadian with a conditional offer at Cambridge, although since I've taken the SAT's and I've applied to American unis as well, I think I can help

Firstly, I think you have just as fair of a chance as anyone. Cambridge does NOT care about extracurriulars AT ALL, and as long as you've done stuff related to the course you wish to pursue (which you have! - like have published work [for English] and 2 language SAT IIs, with an intent to learn Greek & Latin [for Classics]), I think you'll be fine So extracurriular-wise you are perfectly okay!

As for academics, I think you've well-exceeded expectations, with 5's in 7 APs already. Although depending on what particular APs you've taken (are they related to the courses you want to do?) and what APs you intend to take, you will probably still be given a conditional offer, which is five 5s in 5 APs. (Although since that's A LOT of 5s and APs, you might be given something less, *if* you're made an offer)

For the attendance issue, I don't think you should worry about it too much, as long as whoever's writing your reference mentions it (or you mention it yourself in the SAQ).

Okay finance-wise, I have the same issue! I'm kind of freaking out over how to fill out the financial guarantee form (due February 15!). Cambridge Overseas Trust DOES offer £6000 scholarships. For me, my college is asking me to guarantee £26,830 per year. Since your degree (whether it be English/history/philosophy) will only be 3 years long (Classics is 4 if you haven't studied Greek/Latin before, I think), £26,830 - £6000 = £20,830, x 3 years = £62,490 (or roughly $100,000 USD) for a degree. I think that's comparable to most US private colleges? Although remember you'll also be finishing uni a year early

Also, if you're undecided about Philosophy/English/History/Classics, Cambridge allows you to switch "tripos" (i.e. spend the first one or two years studying one subject, and then you can study another related subject for the last two or one years). Since your subjects are all arts subjects and related, I'm sure you won't have a problem doing this, or simply "borrowing papers" from another tripos. (i.e. taking an English paper [course] within your Philosophy/Classics/History course [degree])

ONE LAST THING; if finances are an issue, keep in mind that you *may* be asked to fly to Cambridge for an interview (provided you get one). Some colleges/subjects do interviews via Skype or phone, although my college informed me it wasn't possible for my particular subject/college, so I had to fly all the way there just for an interview. But now with an offer, it's totally worth it.

I hope this bit of information helps you! I suggest you apply, because it's totally worth everything if it's what you really want! Feel free to PM me if you have more questions

[ideas2ink]

Thanks so much for the thought that went into your response; it was of much use to me! I'm certainly glad to know that Cambridge scholarships are need-based!

My SATs were in the following: English Literature, Italian with Listening, French with Listening, World History, U.S. History

APs: English Language, English Literature, European History, French Language and Culture, World History, U.S. History, U.S. Government and Politics

I knew all along that I wanted to do either English Lit., Classics, or Philosophy, so I took these subjects (plus, I see no reason to take the exams in subjects that have no relevance to my course!)

My publication is in English category, as I would like to be a writer, scholar, etc...

And because I have not taken Greek or Latin (ugh, I wish I had!), I will be taking the four year Classics course. The only thing is that I really would like to study Classics explicity for four years, and English lit. explicity for four years (which is where the American 'major and minor/double-major' would come in handy)! I'd like to cover English lit. until second generation Romanticism. Though, doing tripos sounds good

-I hope I'd be able to do an interview over Skype! If not, then I'll definietly make sure I can make the trip there.

Anyway, thanks again and you're response was very helpful in clarifying for me!

[Fruito'Underworld]

Okay, so I think I'm like a month late replying to this thread, but I just have to say ABSOLUTELY GIVE CAMBRIDGE A TRY!

I'm an American student that got an offer for Classics, and I was in the same position as you. My test scores, like yours, were phenomenal, but my GPA was lacking, because I had some medical problems. But let me just give you the bare facts of what you need to know.

Cambridge does give you some financial assistance, they have a University trust for Overseas students.

Look for a college that may be willing to provide you with some financial assistance, because unlike UK students, you will have to pay a college fee.

They do not care about your grades at all, or if they do, it plays a small role.

They do not care about your attendance. I don't think they are able to view that...

They do not care about your extra curriculars, but you MUST show that you are passionate about what you want to study in your essay, and that includes proving to them that you pursue your passion in your spare time. Be creative. I applied for Classics, and said being in the Student Government gave me an understanding of Plato's Republic.

You will most likely have to fly to England for your interview, although a friend of mine did get an offer for Oxford without an interview. Just know that it will somewhat disadvantage your application if you don't.

Also, at Cambridge you have supervisions; that kind of personal attention and one-on-one discussion with a tutor beats out the best faculty to student ratio at US Universities.

PM if you have any questions at all, or need advice applying!

[martinix]

(Original post by ideas2ink)
Thanks a lot; and with that description, I think Classics is a perfect fit. I've looked into Oxford, decided it's not for me. I'll have a look into Scottish unis

Just out of sheer curiosity, why Oxford doesn't appeal to you?


Btw, I totally wish for you to get a place at Cambridge, whichever course you'll eventually decide to pick. You seem like a really nice person, and if you got in, you'd be an inspiration to other bright students from around the world, who due to various family/financial reasons didn't have the chance to do as many extracurriculars as American snobbish unis such as Harvard or Yale expect from people.

[G56]

(Original post by ideas2ink)
Hello, just made this account here after reading an old post,

First, YES, I know the gruesome costs of Cambridge, and that there is NO help for struggling American students, like myself (I'm trying to obtain as much money from grants and loans as possible). I'm just asking if you think Cambridge is a good choice for me, considering my circumstances:

a student with high scores in 5 SAT Subject Tests (2 were languages) and 5's in 7 AP's (4 self-taught) and one published work here in New York. Hopefully, I will be learning Latin and Greek in the future.

HOWEVER, my attendence during high school here has been very poor due to some family/financial situations. I basically have no extracurriculars like sports or volunteer work, which makes me a highly unsavory candidate for US universities. Here, they won't even consider you if attendence isn't up to par and you don't have a laundry list of EC's (for quality unis, at least). I'm hoping they don't look for these in the UK. One of my reasons for seriously thinking of Cambridge, particularly, is because of the weight and quality and history of its humanities department. People have told me to go for liberal arts colleges here in the States, but they look at the aforementioned criteria, as well.
I know at Cambridge that you cannot study two subjects concurrently, so, I'm on the fence with either English lit., History, Classics, or Philosophy

I have my heart set on UK unis because I think they care about intellect and aptitude solely, and what's pertinent to the course you'll pursue. I'm hoping they will not look at attendance and fancy things like clubs, etc, that American unis do.

Do you think, considering my circumstances (financially needy student with horrible attendance and no EC'S, BUT, high exam scores, published work, with more on the way, and strong fervor for learning), that I should go to Cambridge? Do you think the possible debt is worth it, knowing I most likely will not get accepted to any private colleges here?

If further details are needed, I'll add them; I just wanted to adopt a more personable tone, rather than sound so pretentious and elitist.

*High school attendance plays a factor in the same way as grades for the private unis ('tells a lot about the person and future behaviors,' so I'm more concerned with the role of HS attendance, out of the two.

If you can justify why you couldn't attend school then I am sure they will look past it.
Cambridge don't care about EC's, they do care about extra curricular reading though. Have you taken an independent interest in your subject?
As far as I know Cambridge is not that expensive, as an international student you will have to pay more than I will, but compared with the costs at Harvard and Yale its not that bad.

Cambridge like hearing about how your grades compare to your school.
If you got the highest score or where in the top 5 students for 4 different subjects you have to write that down in your personal statement.

Don't go off on a tangent about how you volunteered at an old people's home and you can play the banjo for 3 paragraphs in your personal statement.
Nobody cares, what the tutors really want to know is that you will be prepared to put up with the work load and the stress because you love your subject.
The best way to prove your motivation is to have a solid list of background material you have read.
They will quiz you extensively about this in the interview to make sure you have actually read the things you say you have. Once they are satisfied they will start asking you awkward questions to which there is often no correct answer just to see how your brain works outside your comfort zone.

[Hathlan]

(Original post by ideas2ink)
Thanks for clarifying for me. I know attendance is very important; things are improving and I'm more mature now, I just meant that things weren't going so well in high school.

I don't think attendance is very important for Cambridge, my attendance was **** one year of GCSE's (we're talking below 50%, although this was due to illness) and wasn't especially great during sixth form, and I got an offer.

Also, so far as I'm aware they don't give a damn about extra curriculars (at least for the subjects you mention), unless they directly relevant to your subject, say you were teaching primary school kids latin or something.

[ideas2ink]

(Original post by G56)
If you can justify why you couldn't attend school then I am sure they will look past it.
Cambridge don't care about EC's, they do care about extra curricular reading though. Have you taken an independent interest in your subject?
As far as I know Cambridge is not that expensive, as an international student you will have to pay more than I will, but compared with the costs at Harvard and Yale its not that bad.

Cambridge like hearing about how your grades compare to your school.
If you got the highest score or where in the top 5 students for 4 different subjects you have to write that down in your personal statement.

Don't go off on a tangent about how you volunteered at an old people's home and you can play the banjo for 3 paragraphs in your personal statement.
Nobody cares, what the tutors really want to know is that you will be prepared to put up with the work load and the stress because you love your subject.
The best way to prove your motivation is to have a solid list of background material you have read.
They will quiz you extensively about this in the interview to make sure you have actually read the things you say you have. Once they are satisfied they will start asking you awkward questions to which there is often no correct answer just to see how your brain works outside your comfort zone.

Yes. As cheesy as this may sound, these are my passions, this is what I love to do. I have done extensive independent study in these areas as well as one academic summer program. Though I'm trying to get more EC's in, like some great program (in the subjects) or related internship, to really bring this message across. I'm glad those other areas aren't weighted as I'm lacking in those, as I said before. True, American unis are very expensive but some (Ivies) are still relatively less compared with full tuition of UK's top. Anyway, thanks for the advice and I think-- if I do land that interview--that they'll see that I have passion and true knowledge for and of these subjects. Sometimes I feel people think these qualities aren't as important.

[ideas2ink]

(Original post by Hathlan)
I don't think attendance is very important for Cambridge, my attendance was **** one year of GCSE's (we're talking below 50%, although this was due to illness) and wasn't especially great during sixth form, and I got an offer.

Also, so far as I'm aware they don't give a damn about extra curriculars (at least for the subjects you mention), unless they directly relevant to your subject, say you were teaching primary school kids latin or something.

Thanks; it helps to know

[ideas2ink]

Well, I think I'm basically set now in this process. I've been applying to other UK unis that have been recommended to me to keep my prospects open, as well as for some small internships.

[ideas2ink]

(Original post by martinix)
Just out of sheer curiosity, why Oxford doesn't appeal to you?


Btw, I totally wish for you to get a place at Cambridge, whichever course you'll eventually decide to pick. You seem like a really nice person, and if you got in, you'd be an inspiration to other bright students from around the world, who due to various family/financial reasons didn't have the chance to do as many extracurriculars as American snobbish unis such as Harvard or Yale expect from people.

Well, I used to really want to go there, researched it more, talked with people and there were some small reasons why I changed my mind (honestly don't remember them at this point). And thanks a lot I just think if you have passion and a dream and do hard work, anything's possible (ugh... so cliche, but truthful nonetheless). And not all American unis are elitist but I just think their priorities should be different.