[NoSpeakNewSpeak]

I'm predicted A* in my A level History, and will hopefully receive A*s in my other two A levels also - English and Biology. So best case scenario is that I'll receive A*A*A*. I'm looking to apply to Cambridge in my gap year, and this would make me more than qualified to enter.However, if my results aren't as good as expected, though still very good at AAA, and I intend to retake them in my gap year would I still be considered for Cambridge?

[QuirkyDoDo]

Be careful, Oxbridge are apparently quite funny about people doing retakes, although I never knew how they'd find out, personally, as I thought that the technicalities of your grade were between you, the marker and your subject teacher.

If you have any extra-curricular activies that you excel in, you will be more likely to get in. It's unfortunately not enough to be very intelligent on paper.

[Potally_Tissed]

(Original post by QuirkyDoDo)
Be careful, Oxbridge are apparently quite funny about people doing retakes, although I never knew how they'd find out, personally, as I thought that the technicalities of your grade were between you, the marker and your subject teacher.

If you're retaking the exams but haven't got the results of them before you apply, you have to put down your original grade, then the subject again with the grade as pending to show you're retaking it. If you have retaken it and got the results before you apply, you still have to put the date of the qualification, so they'd see you took your exams over a three year period rather than the normal two.

[QuirkyDoDo]

(Original post by Potally_Tissed)
If you're retaking the exams but haven't got the results of them before you apply, you have to put down your original grade, then the subject again with the grade as pending to show you're retaking it. If you have retaken it and got the results before you apply, you still have to put the date of the qualification, so they'd see you took your exams over a three year period rather than the normal two.

Ohh right, I didn't no that :/

[Anhedonia]

(Original post by QuirkyDoDo)
Be careful, Oxbridge are apparently quite funny about people doing retakes, although I never knew how they'd find out, personally, as I thought that the technicalities of your grade were between you, the marker and your subject teacher.

If you have any extra-curricular activies that you excel in, you will be more likely to get in. It's unfortunately not enough to be very intelligent on paper.

Um. Oxbridge do not really care about ECAs. Please do not disseminate spurious information.

[QuirkyDoDo]

(Original post by Anhedonia)
Um. Oxbridge do not really care about ECAs. Please do not disseminate spurious information.

"Um". Yes they do. Such as sports.

[milienhaus]

(Original post by QuirkyDoDo)
"Um". Yes they do. Such as sports.

They don't really. They just want you to be (very) good at and interested in your subject.

[Tobedotty]

(Original post by QuirkyDoDo)
"Um". Yes they do. Such as sports.

Nah they don't care much at all about sports

[Lucevar]

(Original post by Anhedonia)
Um. Oxbridge do not really care about ECAs. Please do not disseminate spurious information.

(Original post by QuirkyDoDo)
"Um". Yes they do. Such as sports.

Speaking as someone who's been through the interview process at Cambridge, in general, no, they don't. I can't really speak for Oxford, but from what I've heard they're much the same.

There are two main exceptions to this:

1) Music. Oxbridge give out a lot of music scholarships, so if you're a talented musician and apply for a scholarship then yes, they care about your extra-curriculars.

2) It's relevant to the course you're applying to. Someone applying to do Maths who's won the Maths Olympiad or someone applying to do Computer Science who has their own web business or has a lot of experience with programming, they're going to be interested in that. But if you're applying to do English and you tell them that you play for your school tennis team, they're unlikely to care.

It's true that they don't want to see people with nothing to show for themselves outside of school-work (because if you have to dedicate 100% of your time to getting the grades at A-level you're probably not going to cope well with the Oxbridge workload), but they're not specifically looking for people with the wide range of ECs that we're encouraged to believe they are (although some universities are) - they're looking for depth. Being really good at one thing (preferably related to your course) is much better than having lots of things on your personal statement.

To actually answer your question, OP, you'd definitely still be considered if you got AAA. There are plenty of people who get in with considerably lower grades, in fact - all your A-levels are going to do is get you to the interview stage, and once you get there its up to you to impress them. I would recommend spending time getting relevant work experience and reading up on your subject rather than retaking modules for a few extra marks, but that's entirely up to yourself (Cambridge are unlikely to care, I would think).

[gearoid94]

(Original post by QuirkyDoDo)
"Um". Yes they do. Such as sports.

They really don't care about extra curriculars. It's all about the grades for Oxbridge.

[Lord of the Flies]

(Original post by QuirkyDoDo)
"Um". Yes they do. Such as sports.

You've just given what is probably the most irrelevant ECA of all.

[alexs2602]

(Original post by Lord of the Flies)
You've just given what is probably the most irrelevant ECA of all.

Unless, I hear, you're competing on a national level in your sport.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

[QuarterShorter]

Extra curricula's are important as long as you can link them to your studies/future aspirations, because it shows you are doing activities beyond the class room which illustrates and demonstrates that you have a real zeal for your studies. Simply mentioning you play tennis is not good enough and should be kept off your personal statement.

(Original post by QuirkyDoDo)
If you have any extra-curricular activies that you excel in, you will be more likely to get in. It's unfortunately not enough to be very intelligent on paper.

Very true

[Lord of the Flies]

(Original post by QuirkyDoDo)
If you have any extra-curricular activies that you excel in, you will be more likely to get in. It's unfortunately not enough to be very intelligent on paper.

I disagree with QuarterShorter: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education...ctivities.html

[QuarterShorter]

(Original post by Lord of the Flies)
I disagree with QuarterShorter: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education...ctivities.html

I applied to Cambridge last year and missed my offer by a few marks, so I have knowledge on this topic. My personal statement was loaded with extra curricular activities which linked intricately to my subject choice. I was definitely not super intelligent and know people who are more smarter than me, however I received an offer and they didn't. Being intelligent is simply not enough these days as there is so much competition for places at Oxbridge.

[Potally_Tissed]

(Original post by QuarterShorter)
I applied to Cambridge last year and missed my offer by a few marks, so I have knowledge on this topic. My personal statement was loaded with extra curricular activities which linked intricately to my subject choice. I was definitely not super intelligent and know people who are more smarter than me, however I received an offer and they didn't. Being intelligent is simply not enough these days as there is so much competition for places at Oxbridge.

Were you ever told why exactly you were given an offer or did you just assume it was because of your extra-curriculars? And if it was because of them, the bit I've put in bold is quite an important factor

[Lord of the Flies]

(Original post by QuarterShorter)
I applied to Cambridge last year and missed my offer by a few marks, so I have knowledge on this topic. My personal statement was loaded with extra curricular activities which linked intricately to my subject choice. I was definitely not super intelligent and know people who are more smarter than me, however I received an offer and they didn't. Being intelligent is simply not enough these days as there is so much competition for places at Oxbridge.

"Linking extra-curriculars to your subject" is different from "excelling in extra-curriculars". I am sure the first would help, however the second, on its own, would certainly not. I didn't read the beginning of your post, only the "very true" part, which is why I said I disagreed.

[QuarterShorter]

(Original post by Potally_Tissed)
Were you ever told why exactly you were given an offer or did you just assume it was because of your extra-curriculars? And if it was because of them, the bit I've put in bold is quite an important factor

When I was writing my personal statement I was told to keep random extra curriculars off (i.e. I played basketball at the time) unless I could link them to my subject and my interests.

I'm not saying I received an offer based solely on my extra curriculars but they did help. During my interview one of my interviewers actually asked me to elaborate on one of my extra curriculars which led to a conversation and further questions.

On another note, I think putting in a relevant extra curricular helps to show that you are human and not just a robot trained to pass exams.

(Original post by NoSpeakNewSpeak)
However, if my results aren't as good as expected, though still very good at AAA, and I intend to retake them in my gap year would I still be considered for Cambridge?

In reply to the OP I think retaking may hamper your application, but other factors will come into play. If you do have to retake you should still apply anyway because they may be really impressed with you and as a result may choose to look past retakes.

Also may I add that there is no point in worrying about milk which has not been spilt yet.

[Potally_Tissed]

(Original post by QuarterShorter)
When I was writing my personal statement I was told to keep random extra curriculars off (i.e. I played basketball at the time) unless I could link them to my subject and my interests.

I'm not saying I received an offer based solely on my extra curriculars but they did help. During my interview one of my interviewers actually asked me to elaborate on one of my extra curriculars which led to a conversation and further questions.

On another note, I think putting in a relevant extra curricular helps to show that you are human and not just a robot trained to pass exams.

Indeed, no one is saying "don't mention any extra-curriculars at all", it's fine as long as they're relevant to what you're applying for. If they're not relevant to your chosen subject it doesn't really matter how good you are at them because it's not going to make them any more relevant.

[tommm]

(Original post by QuirkyDoDo)
If you have any extra-curricular activies that you excel in, you will be more likely to get in. It's unfortunately not enough to be very intelligent on paper.

Sorry if I come across as rude, but please don't post nonsense like this when you don't know what you're talking about. The OP is seeking advice, and false information could create problems.