[aalex]

What exactly does the 'preparatory study at interview' involve at Cambridge? You are given an article 30 minutes before the interview and then you are asked to discuss it, or they send you the article or whatever it is before you come to Cambridge for your interview?

[Outsanity]

(Original post by aalex)
What exactly does the 'preparatory study at interview' involve at Cambridge? You are given an article 30 minutes before the interview and then you are asked to discuss it, or they send you the article or whatever it is before you come to Cambridge for your interview?

Is this King's?

At least I got something similar when I interviewed at King's - gave me something to read on the financial crisis/QE I for 30 minutes and then talked about it for 5 minutes at the beginning of the interview before moving on to maths!

[ThatRandomGuy]

(Original post by CD315)
Seriously, no one considering Maths and Economics together?

I am. The problem lies in writing a dual personal statement fit for both economics and maths and economics.

[CD315]

(Original post by ThatRandomGuy)
I am. The problem lies in writing a dual personal statement fit for both economics and maths and economics.

The problem with me is deciding whether I want just a straight maths degree or a maths and economics degree.

[Groat]

(Original post by aalex)
What exactly does the 'preparatory study at interview' involve at Cambridge? You are given an article 30 minutes before the interview and then you are asked to discuss it, or they send you the article or whatever it is before you come to Cambridge for your interview?

Yeah, you're given something to study for twenty minutes or so. This could be a newspaper article, some economic data or a mathematical problem. Your interview is then likely to be structured around this stimulus.

[aalex]

(Original post by Groat)
Yeah, you're given something to study for twenty minutes or so. This could be a newspaper article, some economic data or a mathematical problem. Your interview is then likely to be structured around this stimulus.

Thanks. Out of curiosity, what was your article (or whatever it was) about?

[Mtice]

I'm waiting on my A2 results.

If they're A*(already achieved, but in my native language, but I'm hoping they count it, especially as I'll be applying with an English passport) and AAA for the other three (Maths, Economics, Physics), I'll definitely be applying for Oxford and Warwick. Due to the lack of A* for maths, I'll probably not be applying for LSE or UCL, which is very disappointing.

Just a quick question that popped in to my mind whilst reading the Warwick website, it's an A*AA requirement, but only an A is required for maths, right?

It's quite disheartening reading this thread, as many people here have far stronger grades than myself (albeit with far more effort).

I already asked this in the Oxford E&M thread, but thought I'd ask about it for the other top unis here: Would a year of work experience at a big bank in the city in my gap year add much to my application?

So, in summmary, A*AAA (not certain yet), but no A* in maths, a year of work experience at a big bank (and a month at asset managers last summer).

Do I have any shot at top 5 universities?

Also, would there be any point of resitting maths to get that A*, and applying to LSE and UCL, or are they both likely to just reject me immediately for not getting it first time?

[ryanboi]

(Original post by Mtice)
I'm waiting on my A2 results.

If they're A*(already achieved, but in my native language, but I'm hoping they count it, especially as I'll be applying with an English passport) and AAA for the other three (Maths, Economics, Physics), I'll definitely be applying for Oxford and Warwick. Due to the lack of A* for maths, I'll probably not be applying for LSE or UCL, which is very disappointing.

Just a quick question that popped in to my mind whilst reading the Warwick website, it's an A*AA requirement, but only an A is required for maths, right?

It's quite disheartening reading this thread, as many people here have far stronger grades than myself (albeit with far more effort).

I already asked this in the Oxford E&M thread, but thought I'd ask about it for the other top unis here: Would a year of work experience at a big bank in the city in my gap year add much to my application?

So, in summmary, A*AAA (not certain yet), but no A* in maths, a year of work experience at a big bank (and a month at asset managers last summer).

Do I have any shot at top 5 universities?

Also, would there be any point of resitting maths to get that A*, and applying to LSE and UCL, or are they both likely to just reject me immediately for not getting it first time?

Not sure about UCL but LSE did say on their website that they preferred one sit only for A-level Maths. I am not sure if this goes to Oxford but Cambridge highly preferred your Maths modules to be over 93UMS. Work experience will always help if you can link it well with the course you want to do. I would say pick two or three out of the top five Give it a shot. I mean you put so much effort into your study so why not give it a go.

Btw, if you are waiting for your A2 results, then surely you must have already apply to university ??

[funkydee]

(Original post by ryanboi)
Btw, if you are waiting for your A2 results, then surely you must have already apply to university ??

He planned a gap year so didnt apply this round.

And i just saw, the econ ucas 2012 thread had 60 pages by this time last year.

[ThatRandomGuy]

I know for normal economics Warwick want 7A*s at GCSE but do you think the same would apply to maths and economics?

Also they just said you need either a 1 or 2 in STEP, but they didn't specify if it should be in STEP I, II, or III. Am I right in assuming it can be in any of them?

[Mtice]

(Original post by ryanboi)
Not sure about UCL but LSE did say on their website that they preferred one sit only for A-level Maths. I am not sure if this goes to Oxford but Cambridge highly preferred your Maths modules to be over 93UMS. Work experience will always help if you can link it well with the course you want to do. I would say pick two or three out of the top five Give it a shot. I mean you put so much effort into your study so why not give it a go.

Btw, if you are waiting for your A2 results, then surely you must have already apply to university ??

Nah, didn't apply. (didn't know what I wanted to study, plus mediocre predictions).

About the "so much effort", I didn't really put much effort in to A levels at all. I did exactly 0 pieces of work for physics throughout the year, and missed a large amount of lessons, especially in the first half of the year. For economics, I did exactly one piece of work in the year, my teacher even refused to teach me for the last few weeks before my exam, due to the lack of work.
For maths I did some, but no where near the norm.

I revised quite hard the days before my exams though, but I don't think most people would consider that a lot of effort.

I was told the only reason I wasn't expelled, was because of my brains.

I guess for me this was an improvement over my last school, where I was in fact expelled.

I just don't feel I could motivate myself to work hard in a "mediocre" (for me that's outside top 10) university. I hate feeling average.

[ThatRandomGuy]

(Original post by Mtice)
Nah, didn't apply. (didn't know what I wanted to study, plus mediocre predictions).

About the "so much effort", I didn't really put much effort in to A levels at all. I did exactly 0 pieces of work for physics throughout the year, and missed a large amount of lessons, especially in the first half of the year. For economics, I did exactly one piece of work in the year, my teacher even refused to teach me for the last few weeks before my exam, due to the lack of work.
For maths I did some, but no where near the norm.

I revised quite hard the days before my exams though, but I don't think most people would consider that a lot of effort.

I was told the only reason I wasn't expelled, was because of my brains.

I guess for me this was an improvement over my last school, where I was in fact expelled.

I just don't feel I could motivate myself to work hard in a "mediocre" (for me that's outside top 10) university. I hate feeling average.

I feel that you can get away with not working hard through out the year as long as you revise hard a few days before the exams.

[funkydee]

(Original post by ThatRandomGuy)
I feel that you can get away with not working hard through out the year as long as you revise hard a few days before the exams.

I did that this year and regret it seeing as I have no idea how I did. Just hoping results go well.

And Maths and Econ at Warwick dont have a gcse requirement like L100. IIRC they automatically give out offers as long as your PS is vaguely relevant, your predicted at least AAB & you've indicated taking STEP/AEA

EDIT: you can email them, but I think it was something like that.

[ryanboi]

(Original post by funkydee)
I did that this year and regret it seeing as I have no idea how I did. Just hoping results go well.

And Maths and Econ at Warwick dont have a gcse requirement like L100. IIRC they automatically give out offers as long as your PS is vaguely relevant, your predicted at least AAB & you've indicated taking STEP/AEA

EDIT: you can email them, but I think it was something like that.

so are you saying that Warwick is looking for 7A*'s for pure Economics?

[funkydee]

(Original post by ryanboi)
so are you saying that Warwick is looking for 7A*'s for pure Economics?

I wont stipulate on exact numbers, but they seemed to be a general observable bias when offers were gradually coming in.

but this could've been for only this year

[Mtice]

(Original post by funkydee)
I did that this year and regret it seeing as I have no idea how I did. Just hoping results go well.

And Maths and Econ at Warwick dont have a gcse requirement like L100. IIRC they automatically give out offers as long as your PS is vaguely relevant, your predicted at least AAB & you've indicated taking STEP/AEA

EDIT: you can email them, but I think it was something like that.

The reason I regret it now is that now that I've done the exams, I've realised how easily I could have gotten straight A*s at A levels if I'd just put in 50% the effort of everyone else in my classes.

[ThatRandomGuy]

(Original post by ryanboi)
so are you saying that Warwick is looking for 7A*'s for pure Economics?

Yes I emailed them.

"This year offers have been based on 7 or more GCSE's at A*, but this can vary by year depending on the level of applications received."

That's from the general undergraduate admission team though the economics department said they could neither confirm or deny... make what you will of that.

[amg_22]

(Original post by ThatRandomGuy)
Yes I emailed them.

"This year offers have been based on 7 or more GCSE's at A*, but this can vary by year depending on the level of applications received."

That's from the general undergraduate admission team though the economics department said they could neither confirm or deny... make what you will of that.

are warwick the only uni with such a stupid admissions process?

[funkydee]

(Original post by ThatRandomGuy)
Yes I emailed them.

"This year offers have been based on 7 or more GCSE's at A*, but this can vary by year depending on the level of applications received."

its funny because the warwick econ rep was very misleading. i wasnt going to bother with Warwick but changed last min cos of the stupid representative feeding us lies on their thread.

(Original post by University of Warwick)
relatively low GCSE scores do not prohibit you from getting an offer.

In general

Cambridge want high UMS, interview and f maths

LSE highish ums but also bias towards F maths (dont think i saw someone get an offer without it at AS/A2)

UCL seem to take in all aspects of application. Also along with LSE they' re are the only uni for econ who specify A* in maths so they may have an informal pref to F maths (?)

Warwick people with high gcse's (have no preference for F Maths, formal or informal)

[funkydee]

(Original post by Mtice)
I'm waiting on my A2 results.

If they're A*(already achieved, but in my native language, but I'm hoping they count it, especially as I'll be applying with an English passport) and AAA for the other three (Maths, Economics, Physics), I'll definitely be applying for Oxford and Warwick. Due to the lack of A* for maths, I'll probably not be applying for LSE or UCL, which is very disappointing.

Just a quick question that popped in to my mind whilst reading the Warwick website, it's an A*AA requirement, but only an A is required for maths, right?

It's quite disheartening reading this thread, as many people here have far stronger grades than myself (albeit with far more effort).

I already asked this in the Oxford E&M thread, but thought I'd ask about it for the other top unis here: Would a year of work experience at a big bank in the city in my gap year add much to my application?

So, in summmary, A*AAA (not certain yet), but no A* in maths, a year of work experience at a big bank (and a month at asset managers last summer).

Do I have any shot at top 5 universities?

Also, would there be any point of resitting maths to get that A*, and applying to LSE and UCL, or are they both likely to just reject me immediately for not getting it first time?

even though Oxford ask for 3A's I'd imagine they're applicants standard will be in between Cambridge and LSE for E&M.

Also Oxford like gcses the way camb like ums

Warwick if you have high no of GCSE's then should be fine if not then...