Cambridge Economics Students and Applicants

Original post by alex_hk90

This can (and does) vary by the interviewer, and even possibly what you have put on your PS. Due to the optional modules in 2nd and 3rd year, the Economics Tripos can be very mathematical or very discursive, so this is to some extent reflected by the range of possible interview questions.

I see. One last question - do you think it would put me at a disadvantage that in one of my economics modules I only scored 85/100? In the other I scored 100/100 so it averages to 92.5, and my top 3 subjects average at 95.6 (counting Maths and FM as one).
I honestly think I had a bad day, but considering I am applying for economics, I'm worried scoring so low in that module will look really poor...

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Reply 1982

Colmans

11

Original post by azns

I see. One last question - do you think it would put me at a disadvantage that in one of my economics modules I only scored 85/100? In the other I scored 100/100 so it averages to 92.5, and my top 3 subjects average at 95.6 (counting Maths and FM as one).
I honestly think I had a bad day, but considering I am applying for economics, I'm worried scoring so low in that module will look really poor...

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I had 82 & 91 in Economics so it must be possible. (Admittedly I had 100% in Physics & Maths!).

Reply 1983

Original post by Colmans

I had 82 & 91 in Economics so it must be possible. (Admittedly I had 100% in Physics & Maths!).

Hey well done! Which college did you go for?

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Reply 1984

Colmans

11

Original post by azns

Hey well done! Which college did you go for?

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I have finished, from Caius.

Reply 1985

Original post by Colmans

I have finished, from Caius.

Oh right, what are your plans for the future?

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Reply 1986

Colmans

11

Original post by azns

Oh right, what are your plans for the future?

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Rather predictably, started work as an analyst.

Reply 1987

Original post by azns

I see. One last question - do you think it would put me at a disadvantage that in one of my economics modules I only scored 85/100? In the other I scored 100/100 so it averages to 92.5, and my top 3 subjects average at 95.6 (counting Maths and FM as one).
I honestly think I had a bad day, but considering I am applying for economics, I'm worried scoring so low in that module will look really poor...

Anything below 100% in all modules will "put you at a disadvantage" against someone who got that, I don't really see why you're obsessing over it - apply, get to interview and impress them there, that's all you need to be doing. :yep:

Reply 1988

Original post by Colmans

Rather predictably, started work as an analyst.

Is this what most graduates go into? I'd heard the stereotype but I thought it had been exaggerated...

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Reply 1989

Original post by azns

Is this what most graduates go into? I'd heard the stereotype but I thought it had been exaggerated...

I wouldn't say 'most' (as in over 50%), but it would probably be the largest group (think political majority as opposed to absolute majority). For example, after graduating I went on a gap year and I'm now working in Technology Consulting as opposed to the financial sector. :h:

Reply 1990

Original post by alex_hk90

Anything below 100% in all modules will "put you at a disadvantage" against someone who got that, I don't really see why you're obsessing over it - apply, get to interview and impress them there, that's all you need to be doing. :yep:

As if you weren't this worried however many years ago! Okay roger that

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Reply 1991

Original post by azns

As if you weren't this worried however many years ago! Okay roger that

I'm pretty sure I wasn't - in fact you might be able to check because I was actually a (relatively new then! :eek:

) member on TSR even back then. :redface:

Reply 1992

Original post by alex_hk90

I'm pretty sure I wasn't - in fact you might be able to check because I was actually a (relatively new then! :eek:

) member on TSR even back then. :redface:

Nobody got time for that but okay I believe you, I'll just put it down to the fact that it was easier back then... :smile:

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Reply 1993

Original post by azns

Nobody got time for that but okay I believe you, I'll just put it down to the fact that it was easier back then... :smile:

Haha OK.

But part of the real reason was that my number 1 choice was LSE at the time. It wasn't until I actually went to the Cambridge interview that I changed my mind. :smile:

Reply 1994

Original post by alex_hk90

Haha OK.

But part of the real reason was that my number 1 choice was LSE at the time. It wasn't until I actually went to the Cambridge interview that I changed my mind. :smile:

Quite a few of my Asian pals have LSE down as their first choice.
Out of the London universities, UCL appeals to me more - they have econ with a year at an American uni!

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Reply 1995

amg_22

3

Original post by alex_hk90

Haha OK.

But part of the real reason was that my number 1 choice was LSE at the time. It wasn't until I actually went to the Cambridge interview that I changed my mind. :smile:

Out of interest what made you change your mind? :smile:

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Reply 1996

lp386

12

Original post by alex_hk90

I wouldn't say 'most' (as in over 50%), but it would probably be the largest group (think political majority as opposed to absolute majority). For example, after graduating I went on a gap year and I'm now working in Technology Consulting as opposed to the financial sector. :h:

Original post by azns

Is this what most graduates go into? I'd heard the stereotype but I thought it had been exaggerated...

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Yeah, I'd agree - it seems to be the thing that most people want to go into, but for various reasons (the hours, insufficient preparation, not being able to get a spot, finding something they prefer, etc.) a lot of people end up doing other things. Of the eight economists in my college, two are going into banking, two into academia, one into an MPhil then probably the Bank of England, one to the Civil Service, one into accountancy, and I'm not sure about number eight but I've just seen pictures of her doing an internship at PWC, so probably accountancy/consulting.

The two going into academia and the accountant all held IB offers but decided not to take them. I suspect if academia was suddenly no longer possible it would probably be an absolute majority, but that's what a lot of the best candidates go off to do.

Reply 1997