I want to attend university, but I am only 15
I live in Scotland and am taking the 4 National 5s which are: English, Physics, History, and Biology. But I am also taking Higher Maths, and Higher Computing, the latter of which I got 98% in the prelim. I want to go to Cambridge University as I totally fell in love with the place during an open day in 2015, however, does my age put me at a disadvantage?
I want to apply next year, hopefully, the grades I will have will be: Higher Chem, Higher Biology, Higher Physics, Higher History, Advanced Higher Maths, Advanced Higher Computing. I understand that I am just about short of the typical application for Cambridge, but would I be able to compensate somehow?
Any help would be invaluable to me
I want to apply next year, hopefully, the grades I will have will be: Higher Chem, Higher Biology, Higher Physics, Higher History, Advanced Higher Maths, Advanced Higher Computing. I understand that I am just about short of the typical application for Cambridge, but would I be able to compensate somehow?
Any help would be invaluable to me
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Original post by JohnMacDonald
I live in Scotland and am taking the 4 National 5s which are: English, Physics, History, and Biology. But I am also taking Higher Maths, and Higher Computing, the latter of which I got 98% in the prelim. I want to go to Cambridge University as I totally fell in love with the place during an open day in 2015, however, does my age put me at a disadvantage?
I want to apply next year, hopefully, the grades I will have will be: Higher Chem, Higher Biology, Higher Physics, Higher History, Advanced Higher Maths, Advanced Higher Computing. I understand that I am just about short of the typical application for Cambridge, but would I be able to compensate somehow?
Any help would be invaluable to me
I want to apply next year, hopefully, the grades I will have will be: Higher Chem, Higher Biology, Higher Physics, Higher History, Advanced Higher Maths, Advanced Higher Computing. I understand that I am just about short of the typical application for Cambridge, but would I be able to compensate somehow?
Any help would be invaluable to me
What subject for? Do you mean apply next year as in 2017 for entry in 2018?
Original post by JohnMacDonald
I live in Scotland and am taking the 4 National 5s which are: English, Physics, History, and Biology. But I am also taking Higher Maths, and Higher Computing, the latter of which I got 98% in the prelim. I want to go to Cambridge University as I totally fell in love with the place during an open day in 2015, however, does my age put me at a disadvantage?
I want to apply next year, hopefully, the grades I will have will be: Higher Chem, Higher Biology, Higher Physics, Higher History, Advanced Higher Maths, Advanced Higher Computing. I understand that I am just about short of the typical application for Cambridge, but would I be able to compensate somehow?
Any help would be invaluable to me
I want to apply next year, hopefully, the grades I will have will be: Higher Chem, Higher Biology, Higher Physics, Higher History, Advanced Higher Maths, Advanced Higher Computing. I understand that I am just about short of the typical application for Cambridge, but would I be able to compensate somehow?
Any help would be invaluable to me
It's not only academic ability they look at for underage application. They want to make sure you're mentally/psychologically mature enough and can look after yourself away from the protection of parents/guardians.
They only accept very small number of applicants who are one year younger than normal application age, and it is even rarer they accept anyone younger than that. There's statutory legislation they need to comply when they accept an underage applicant, too. It is a very exceptional case. Just achieving a typical entry requirement will probably not be enough.
Why haste anyway?
chill.
Spoiler
(edited 8 years ago)
I'm 15 rn and I may apply to Oxford or Cambridge also this autumn (for entry September 2017). As long as you meet their entry requirements you are not disadvantaged.
Original post by JohnMacDonald
I live in Scotland and am taking the 4 National 5s which are: English, Physics, History, and Biology. But I am also taking Higher Maths, and Higher Computing, the latter of which I got 98% in the prelim. I want to go to Cambridge University as I totally fell in love with the place during an open day in 2015, however, does my age put me at a disadvantage?
I want to apply next year, hopefully, the grades I will have will be: Higher Chem, Higher Biology, Higher Physics, Higher History, Advanced Higher Maths, Advanced Higher Computing. I understand that I am just about short of the typical application for Cambridge, but would I be able to compensate somehow?
Any help would be invaluable to me
I want to apply next year, hopefully, the grades I will have will be: Higher Chem, Higher Biology, Higher Physics, Higher History, Advanced Higher Maths, Advanced Higher Computing. I understand that I am just about short of the typical application for Cambridge, but would I be able to compensate somehow?
Any help would be invaluable to me
I wouldn't recommend it. Whilst people under 18 do get in, you're not giving yourself any advantage by applying so early. You're probably not going to have as good an experience as you would if you apply at the 'normal' age.
Original post by JohnMacDonald
I live in Scotland and am taking the 4 National 5s which are: English, Physics, History, and Biology. But I am also taking Higher Maths, and Higher Computing, the latter of which I got 98% in the prelim. I want to go to Cambridge University as I totally fell in love with the place during an open day in 2015, however, does my age put me at a disadvantage?
I want to apply next year, hopefully, the grades I will have will be: Higher Chem, Higher Biology, Higher Physics, Higher History, Advanced Higher Maths, Advanced Higher Computing. I understand that I am just about short of the typical application for Cambridge, but would I be able to compensate somehow?
Any help would be invaluable to me
I want to apply next year, hopefully, the grades I will have will be: Higher Chem, Higher Biology, Higher Physics, Higher History, Advanced Higher Maths, Advanced Higher Computing. I understand that I am just about short of the typical application for Cambridge, but would I be able to compensate somehow?
Any help would be invaluable to me
What subject do you want to apply for? Are you in S4 or S5? Is your plan to the national 5s, Highers and Advanced Highers this summer, and apply in October?
Original post by JohnMacDonald
I live in Scotland and am taking the 4 National 5s which are: English, Physics, History, and Biology. But I am also taking Higher Maths, and Higher Computing, the latter of which I got 98% in the prelim. I want to go to Cambridge University as I totally fell in love with the place during an open day in 2015, however, does my age put me at a disadvantage?
I want to apply next year, hopefully, the grades I will have will be: Higher Chem, Higher Biology, Higher Physics, Higher History, Advanced Higher Maths, Advanced Higher Computing. I understand that I am just about short of the typical application for Cambridge, but would I be able to compensate somehow?
Any help would be invaluable to me
I want to apply next year, hopefully, the grades I will have will be: Higher Chem, Higher Biology, Higher Physics, Higher History, Advanced Higher Maths, Advanced Higher Computing. I understand that I am just about short of the typical application for Cambridge, but would I be able to compensate somehow?
Any help would be invaluable to me
There is more to university than getting a degree and there is more to education than completing it early. I went to university a year early (17, becoming 18 that year) and I think that can be fine, especially if you have been a year up at school but to go at 16 would I think be a big disadvantage socially and for future employment.
So it does depend for me on whether you have a birthday between now & September.
If you go at 16 you will be too young to qualify for any internships or research placements in the holidays which means these will have to be done after you complete university. You will be at university with those who are 18,19 & 20 and they often will find a 16 year old too young to make close friends with. So you risk loneliness that far from home. It will be hard to find a girlfriend. You won't be able to drink or go into clubs if you want to socialise that way. Part of university is the social experience of meeting and debating with people from all walks of life and parts of the country.
The university does look twice at underage applications and there are child protection issues which put them off for those who are more than a few months young. The experience of taking in the very young (normally mathematicians) has generally been sub-optimal for all.
Original post by Colmans
There is more to university than getting a degree and there is more to education than completing it early. I went to university a year early (17, becoming 18 that year) and I think that can be fine, especially if you have been a year up at school but to go at 16 would I think be a big disadvantage socially and for future employment.
So it does depend for me on whether you have a birthday between now & September.
If you go at 16 you will be too young to qualify for any internships or research placements in the holidays which means these will have to be done after you complete university. You will be at university with those who are 18,19 & 20 and they often will find a 16 year old too young to make close friends with. So you risk loneliness that far from home. It will be hard to find a girlfriend. You won't be able to drink or go into clubs if you want to socialise that way. Part of university is the social experience of meeting and debating with people from all walks of life and parts of the country.
The university does look twice at underage applications and there are child protection issues which put them off for those who are more than a few months young. The experience of taking in the very young (normally mathematicians) has generally been sub-optimal for all.
So it does depend for me on whether you have a birthday between now & September.
If you go at 16 you will be too young to qualify for any internships or research placements in the holidays which means these will have to be done after you complete university. You will be at university with those who are 18,19 & 20 and they often will find a 16 year old too young to make close friends with. So you risk loneliness that far from home. It will be hard to find a girlfriend. You won't be able to drink or go into clubs if you want to socialise that way. Part of university is the social experience of meeting and debating with people from all walks of life and parts of the country.
The university does look twice at underage applications and there are child protection issues which put them off for those who are more than a few months young. The experience of taking in the very young (normally mathematicians) has generally been sub-optimal for all.
Some very good points here.
Regardless of what you want to do after University, you will have to be very patient. There is no rush when it comes to academia, and if you want to go into work, then you will find that the companies will look for someone that has a little life experience as well as the grades.
You should also consider that although you are probably one of the most gifted students at your school, it will probably be very different at Cambridge (or at any top university). Doing your highers early is good, and shows some academic promise, but there is a lot more to success at university than just potential.
If it is Maths that you are thinking about doing, why not consider preparing for STEP 1 next year, then 2 and 3 the following year? These would give you an indication of where you are in comparison to the other cambridge applicants, and would help keep you occupied. You could also enter the British Mathematical olympiad.
Original post by Elegantsolution
What subject for? Do you mean apply next year as in 2017 for entry in 2018?
Computer Science in 2017
Thank you for your comments guys!
The reason I want to leave early is because at the end of next year I will [hopefully] have all the qualifications I need to go to university, so why wait stay in school doing Advanced Highers that are simply not relevant to my subject (e.g History). If someone could please clear this up for be that would be great Also the subject which I was planning on studying was Computer Science.
The reason I want to leave early is because at the end of next year I will [hopefully] have all the qualifications I need to go to university, so why wait stay in school doing Advanced Highers that are simply not relevant to my subject (e.g History). If someone could please clear this up for be that would be great
Also the subject which I was planning on studying was Computer Science.Original post by JohnMacDonald
Thank you for your comments guys!
The reason I want to leave early is because at the end of next year I will [hopefully] have all the qualifications I need to go to university, so why wait stay in school doing Advanced Highers that are simply not relevant to my subject (e.g History). If someone could please clear this up for be that would be great Also the subject which I was planning on studying was Computer Science.
The reason I want to leave early is because at the end of next year I will [hopefully] have all the qualifications I need to go to university, so why wait stay in school doing Advanced Highers that are simply not relevant to my subject (e.g History). If someone could please clear this up for be that would be great
Also the subject which I was planning on studying was Computer Science.Cambridge normally expect 3 advanced highers.
In terms of strengthening your application, practicing the tests that you'll have to sit before the interview is the best thing you can do outwith getting the raw grades. This is all subject to change soon, and by a quick glance at the computing science page, it will be one that changes as the colleges have a few different tests.
Have you thought about applying now for deferred entry? In terms of benefits of staying on a year more at school, if you ask me the biggest one is being 18 when you start Uni. Seeing everyone else able to go out and drink and generally enjoy the other side of uni life when you can't won't be much fun. You may think that it'll be all about academics, but that's not the case.
Although I'm from Scotland I don't know much about the Scottish education system as I took A levels, so I'm not sure exactly what you'll need to get in.
Another option, is to get the grades, and spend what would have been your sixth year at school in some kind of work or industrial placement.
Have you thought about applying now for deferred entry? In terms of benefits of staying on a year more at school, if you ask me the biggest one is being 18 when you start Uni. Seeing everyone else able to go out and drink and generally enjoy the other side of uni life when you can't won't be much fun. You may think that it'll be all about academics, but that's not the case.
Although I'm from Scotland I don't know much about the Scottish education system as I took A levels, so I'm not sure exactly what you'll need to get in.
Another option, is to get the grades, and spend what would have been your sixth year at school in some kind of work or industrial placement.
Good for you. If you think its the right think to do, especially with fees probably going up soon. But like a few others have said, you may feel a little out of your depth. Everyone around you will probably be a lot more mature and you will miss out on certain social functions.
At 15 they may give you distance learning or put you with a host family as opposed to staying in halls as well. It depends what course, what college and how mature they think you are.
Best of luck!
At 15 they may give you distance learning or put you with a host family as opposed to staying in halls as well. It depends what course, what college and how mature they think you are.
Best of luck!
Original post by donte
Good for you. If you think its the right think to do, especially with fees probably going up soon. But like a few others have said, you may feel a little out of your depth. Everyone around you will probably be a lot more mature and you will miss out on certain social functions.
At 15 they may give you distance learning or put you with a host family as opposed to staying in halls as well. It depends what course, what college and how mature they think you are.
Best of luck!
At 15 they may give you distance learning or put you with a host family as opposed to staying in halls as well. It depends what course, what college and how mature they think you are.
Best of luck!
In fairness, this guy could well be 17 by the time he starts next year if all goes to plan.
Original post by sarahpr
Cambridge normally expect 3 advanced highers.
To me, this the biggest barrier I am facing. By the time I leave school I would only have 2 AH's and 6H's, I don't know how Cambridge would look upon that. :/
Why throw your childhood away?
Original post by JohnMacDonald
To me, this the biggest barrier I am facing. By the time I leave school I would only have 2 AH's and 6H's, I don't know how Cambridge would look upon that. :/
Cambridge says:
http://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/applying/entrance-requirements/other-qualifications
"Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers
Offers usually require AAA at Advanced Higher Grade.
NB: We recognise that the Scottish secondary school sector is undergoing significant curriculum reform. Please see the University's admissions policy statement on Curriculum for Excellence for information.
In some cases, two Advanced Highers and an additional Higher may be acceptable (eg when an applicant is prevented from studying more than two Advanced Highers due to reasons outside their control) – such applicants are considered on a case-by-case basis and should seek advice from the College to which they are considering applying as early as possible.
For advice about suitable subject choices see course requirements. Please note that for these purposes, Highers will satisfy AS Level subject requirements, and Advanced Highers will satisfy A Level subject requirements.
If you're studying towards a Scottish Baccalaureate qualification, you're expected to offer three Advanced Highers as part of it."
I suggest you ask @Peterhouse Admissions or @Christ's Admissions if you need clarification.
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