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Thanks for making this thread!

I would just like to know if my application would be considered as after completing one year at AS, I changed my Alevel choices moving to a different sixth form so I'm now doing my AS year again (with different subjects). If I meet the requirements to study natural sciences would my application be considered?

Reply 41

Stokeyjord

Hi, I am thinking about applying to Cambridge next year to study economics. My current A levels are maths, further maths, economics and history but my college strongly recommends dropping one subject at the end of the year. I feel that history is the least relevant subject to me but I am wondering whether you would class maths and further maths as two subjects that are too closely related. Would offering maths, further maths and economics at A level with a forth AS level in history jeopardize my chances of making a successful application to Cambridge/Peterhouse to study economics or would I have a better chance of success if I instead dropped further maths?

Reply 42

TVIO

Original post by Stokeyjord

Do NOT drop further maths, Cambridge's economics course is highly mathematical and VERY competitive (their most competitive one I believe). FM is very important.

Reply 43

ComputerMaths97

I plan to apply for Computer Science with Mathematics (Therefore most likely requiring STEP grades, which is good as I'm currently on a Cambridge STEP-helping pilot course). Was just wondering, how am I supposed to show my interest for my subject? I know tons outside of the curriculum, already done lots of coding practice ect + your usual stuff simply because I enjoy it. But how do I convey that? How can I prove the existence of this interest? And I'd also like to ask quickly, if I were to get an interview for Computer Science (any college), would they be testing my Mathematical ability or more Computer Science-related? Also, for the interview, what does "Preparatory study at interview" mean?

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 44

gsckmom

A couple more questions for US students:

What sort of qualifications are recommended for getting an interview?

If a US student comes in December for an interview and then gets pooled, will he need to come back for a second interview?

Reply 45

Toxic_Legends

Quick question- I hope to apply to study HSPS, specialising in the Politics and International Relations modules. If I do get interviewed, even if my ps only talks about Politics and International Relations, would I be questioned on Sociology or Anthropology? or would I only be interviewed on Politics and International Relations?

Thanks

Reply 46

Stokeyjord

Original post by TVIO

Do NOT drop further maths, Cambridge's economics course is highly mathematical and VERY competitive (their most competitive one I believe). FM is very important.

This was my thinking originally, but after reading that lse only take further maths into account as a forth a level I wondered whether Cambridge had the same view?

Reply 47

TVIO

Original post by Stokeyjord

This was my thinking originally, but after reading that lse only take further maths into account as a forth a level I wondered whether Cambridge had the same view?

From what I've heard, the LSE course isn't that mathematical, but Cambridge's most definitely is.

Reply 48

Hody421

Original post by Peterhouse Admissions

Are you thinking of applying to Cambridge but need some questions answered first? Then this thread is for you.

We are the Admissions Team at Peterhouse, Cambridge, and this is our first thread on The Student Room. This thread will be open for three weeks (Mon 2^nd – Fri 20^th Feb) to answer any and all questions about applying to Peterhouse/Cambridge. So what would you like to know...?

What is Peterhouse's view on gap year applicants? But - the students that have already achieved the grades in 2 years.

Reply 49

Daria_

Original post by Peterhouse Admissions

Our typical offer is A*A*A, so we would look at your AS levels (together with your predictions) in your three best/most relevant subjects to see if you are on track to achieve this. To give a more specific answer I would need a bit more information - which subjects are you taking and do you want to apply for Physical Natural Sciences or Biological Natural Sciences?

Personal statement: the main thing to do here is to show your enthusiasm for the subject. Tell us anything you did to explore sciences beyond the school material (books, competitions, projects, lab visits, work experience etc). You are free to mention other extracurricular activities (like sports, music and so on): these will neither help nor harm your application. We are pleased to hear about such activities but at the end the decision whether or not to offer you a place will depend solely on your academic achievements and potential in the relevant subjects.

Thank you so much for this useful advise!

I'm interested in Biological Natural Sciences and I'm taking Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Geography at As level and I'm thinking about dropping Geography next year.

Reply 50

lucysoleil

I am planning on applying for economics at Cambridge and am currently in Year 12.
I am taking Maths, Further Maths, Economics, Physics and Geography.

At our school, we take all of AS and A2 Maths in Year 12 and then take all of AS and A2 Further Maths in Year 13.

I am currently contemplating dropping Geography AS (I would drop it at A2 anyway), so by the end of Year 12 I would have A2 Maths, AS Physics and AS Economics. I would keep all my subjects but Geography to A2 anyway.

Would dropping Geography weaken my application at all, considering I lose out on one AS level or would it not have much effect?

Thank you.

Reply 51

domaths

Hello, I was wondering how Cambridge treat Further Maths (additonal) when dealing with maths UMS averages. From my understanding maths and f.maths are combined when calculating your best 3 UMS but would you also include f.maths additonal with this. Say I got 600/600 in maths and f.maths but 200/300 in f.maths add would this bring my maths UMS down to 89% rather than 100% or would they treat f.maths add as a sepperate subject. Another question would be if f.maths add is excluded from the maths average but say I got 300/300 in f.maths add and 300/300 in maths but 200/300 in f.maths would my best two be used or would I then have to deal with 89% UMS. Also this would be applying for economics, not a science subject, if that makes any difference. Thanks for your time!

Posted from TSR Mobile

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 52

KaddyS

Hi Admissions Tutor,

In terms of reapplying, what is Peterhouse's policy for resits? (i.e. how many is too many)

Also, once certificated, are Further Maths and Maths A2 levels counted as separate subjects or is the process the same as with an AS Maths UMS average?

Thank you in advance.

Reply 53

warmshowers

Hi! I'm a prospective law re-applicant from Singapore, having been pooled and rejected the previous round. I have four questions:

1) Would male re-applicants from Singapore be disadvantaged due to their not continuing some form of academic activity, as a result of their national service (conscription) commitments?

2) Does Peterhouse have any law-specific admissions requirements?

3) What does Peterhouse look for in law interviews? Does it differ from interviews overseas and at Cambridge?

4) What are the requirements for 'compulsory' pooling with regard to applicants from Singapore, if any?

Thanks!

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 54

Peterhouse Admissions

Official Rep

Thanks for all the questions over the weekend! We'll get them answered as soon as possible! We have all 3 of the Peterhouse Admission Tutors contributing, so questions might not be answered in the order asked, but we will answer them all.

Reply 55

Peterhouse Admissions

Official Rep

Original post by Toxic_Legends

Sorry that your quick question has only a quick answer. Peterhouse do not offer HSPS, so we can't really advise on what a HSPS interview would look like or what interviewers would be interested in, sorry!

Your best bet would be to email the Admissions Offices of the College(s) you're interested in. This is the best way to get accurate information and we really don't mind answering questions from prospective applicants.

Reply 56

Peterhouse Admissions

Official Rep

Original post by marioman

I have a question regarding admissions to the Computer Science course. This year I am taking Maths as a full A-Level along with AS-Levels in Physics, Chemistry and Computing. From which three subjects would my UMS average be calculated? Does the answer to this question differ across colleges?

Original post by TVIO

...

Original post by jneill

Can Peterhouse AT confirm which average is used when calculating eligibility for "auto-pooling"? E.g. is it SUMS for Sciences (incl Engineering) and "Best 3" for Humanities?

Original post by TVIO

Hmm I'd never actually thought about that, it's probably what you just said.
To the AT: do auto-pooled candidates actually get offers frequently?

Three average scores are calculated for Science applicants -

•

UMS - 3 best subjects, as for Arts/Humanities applicants

•

SUMS -average of up to 3 science and maths scores (Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Maths, Further Maths), taking best 3 if more than 3 are studied

•

Physics+Maths UMS average.

For determining compulsory pooling, it is the SUMS which matters for Science subjects. Please note that there is no UMS-based compulsory pooling for applicants in Mathematics.

We don't keep track of the reasons candidates are pooled. We certainly have made offers to 'compulsory' pooled candidates from other Colleges, but, there are other reasons why candidates can be pooled (e.g. wildly divergent interview scores) and individual applications are still being considered as a whole until the very end of the process - this includes all available contextual data, the various UMS averages, the interview reports, tests at interview, etc.

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 57

Peterhouse Admissions

Official Rep

Original post by gsckmom

Hi,

It's great to have interest in this thread from across the pond!

The answer really depends on what school you're at, what subjects you are taking and which course you're applying for. As all applicants are asssessed individually, it really is on a case-by-case basis.

However, in general, we would usually be looking for students in the US to be getting 5s in Advanced Placement Tests and, depending on what subject you're applying for, these might need to be in specific relevant subjects - what course(s) are you interested in?

We wouldn't ask you to travel over from the States again unless there were some extremely unusual circumstances, like your original interview had failed to function in some way. Even then, I think it's more likely that we would give you a skype/telephone interview if possible.

Reply 58

Peterhouse Admissions

Official Rep

Original post by Hody421

What is Peterhouse's view on gap year applicants? But - the students that have already achieved the grades in 2 years.

In all subjects (excluding Maths) we welcome applications from people who already achieved their qualifications. However, we will want to see how you intend to maintain your interest and ability in your subject in the intervening year.

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 59

Peterhouse Admissions

Official Rep

Original post by Daria_

If the B is in Geography then this would not be a problem - we would be most interested in how you are doing in Biology, Chemistry and Maths, since they are most relevant for Natural Sciences.