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Mythbuster?

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Hedgehunter

Yes ive read that before..perhaps i should think about that...though it says that maths AS is particulary useful in the physical sciences which is not what id be applying for....though perhaps i should consider physics AS then....though is basing my A level choice around the chance of getting into Cambridge a good idea?...

Particularly useful, yes. That doesn't mean it won't be at all useful, though. I don't think you should pin your hopes on Cambridge, but you should pin them on Natural Sciences if that's what you want to do. The courses elsewhere will still have some maths.

Reply 21

Jigglypuff

I got 2 Bs in my GCSEs (though they were in Drama and Technology, so I doubt they cared anyway). Even if you got a B in a relevant subject, a strong interview, combined with a solid A at AS level and predicted A at A-level would compensate.

Reply 22

Hedgeman49

Hedgehunter

If NatSci at Cambridge is what you really want to do, then you need to give yourself the best chance of success. However, as previously stated, these general rules will apply to NatSci at most other unis too.

Reply 23

DFranklin

Hedgehunter

Quite. To reiterate; my ASs are Biology, Chemistry, History and English Literature, so i am indeed not taking maths A-Level. As its not really a requirement. Also i would be leaning toward the Biological side of science which supposidly has less Maths than the physical side.To be honest, if you apply for NatSci and your highest maths qualification is a GCSE grade B, I'd be very very surprised if they even interview you.

In fact, I'd say your chances are slim without an 'A' in Maths A-level. In 4 years at Cambridge I don't think I ever heard of a Natsci with less maths than that.

Reply 24

Helenia

DFranklin

To be honest, if you apply for NatSci and your highest maths qualification is a GCSE grade B, I'd be very very surprised if they even interview you.

In fact, I'd say your chances are slim without an 'A' in Maths A-level. In 4 years at Cambridge I don't think I ever heard of a Natsci with less maths than that.

There are a few who don't have Maths A-level - isn't that what the EMB course is for? But generally most people will. I agree that you really should be aiming to get a good grade in Maths if you want to do Natsci - even if you're a biologist you will need some Maths.

Reply 25

DFranklin

Helenia

There are a few who don't have Maths A-level - isn't that what the EMB course is for?I'm sure it's possible, but do you have any idea how many do it in practice? (Not a snark: I have no idea, it's entirely possible you do, being actually at Cambridge and all...)

Looking it up just now (as I confess I have no recollection of EMB), I get the impression most people doing EMB have maths A level (probably at grade A, given Cambridge entrance policies), but are doing EMB as a relatively easy option that lets them concentrate their time elsewhere.

Searching on admissions policies, most seem to "strongly recommend" A-level maths, even for Biologists. I confess, my interpretation of "strongly recommend" tends towards "you're wasting your time applying without", but I probably tend to be over-cynical. Some colleges seem less concerned, however.

Reply 26

Helenia

DFranklin

I'm sure it's possible, but do you have any idea how many do it in practice? (Not a snark: I have no idea, it's entirely possible you do, being actually at Cambridge and all...)

Looking it up just now (as I confess I have no recollection of EMB), I get the impression most people doing EMB have maths A level (probably at grade A, given Cambridge entrance policies), but are doing EMB as a relatively easy option that lets them concentrate their time elsewhere.

Searching on admissions policies, most seem to "strongly recommend" A-level maths, even for Biologists. I confess, my interpretation of "strongly recommend" tends towards "you're wasting your time applying without", but I probably tend to be over-cynical. Some colleges seem less concerned, however.

No idea currently; in my year there were maybe one or two in the Clare intake (of about 20) who didn't have it, I think. But I think it may be becoming more and more common. I'm trying to avoid over-interpreting current admissions requirements as it only makes me feel more inadequate!

Reply 27

ebam_uk

Hedgehunter

It is definitely not a bad idea, and is a good idea if the recommended subjects are ones you enjoy or good at.

I don't think I consciously chose it but I had an idea that Physics, Further Maths would be good choices for Engineering @ Cambridge and other top Uni's.

Reply 28

HCD

DFranklin

Searching on admissions policies, most seem to "strongly recommend" A-level maths, even for Biologists. I confess, my interpretation of "strongly recommend" tends towards "you're wasting your time applying without", but I probably tend to be over-cynical. Some colleges seem less concerned, however.

It will be college-dependent, and with Trinity's reputation for Maths, it's no big surprise that they will automatically reject the mathematically weaker applicants. "Trinity requires three science A levels including Mathematics". I can't imagine the other colleges being too far behind in mathematical procedures, however - they might not have the hard and fast rule that Trinity uses, but they'd be reluctant to take such students.

Reply 29

Greatleysteg

HCD

Surely someone without the ability to get an easy A/A* at Maths GCSE, assuming no extenuating circumstances, would be somewhat unsuitable for a Natural Sciences degree?

If the OP is struggling with GCSE Maths, then an A level might not treat him much better.

Not that the GCSE itself matters, but I'm suggesting that if the OP is genuinely only good enough at Maths to get a B, he seriously rethinks his choices. Naturally, it depends on which Natural Science he intends to specialise in.

Surely it depends on the school the OP is attending? In which case, they may look more favourably upon him. Although, that said, if Maths is going to be the lowest grade... perhaps a substandard Maths teacher would have to be mentioned in referencing?

Reply 30

steelmole

A few Bs don't matter, but remember, there are no hard and fast rules.

Reply 31

DFranklin

HCD

It's certainly not just Trinity that wants the Maths A-level; several others only "prefer it" rather than "require it", but setting yourself up for a situation where they'd "prefer it" if you'd chosen different A-levels seems foolhardy at best.

Reply 32

Hedgehunter

DFranklin

Well since Maths has always been my Achilles Heel and there is no way im doing Maths A-level as there would be no point as i wouldnt get a good grade in it anyway.

Furthermore from what ive heard Physics AS also has AS mechanics so there would be difficulty there also (even though my school runs a maths for physics course for those not doing AS maths).

Well at Oxford they simply say Maths A level would be "helpful" for their Biological sciences course so i will have to think about applying there instead. Even better ive heard that if you get an interview there the chances of acceptance are then 1:2?

Also the acceptance rate is 43% which doesnt make me feel physcally sick unlike the NatSci at Cambridge stats. (" Applications/acceptances 2007 2,013/641") :s-smilie:

Reply 33

made_of_fail

i really don't see the point in doing physics without maths myself.

oh, and the NatSci admissions stats are not out of the ordinary - they're certainly lower than for economics and a few other subjects.

Reply 34

HCD

Hedgehunter

Even better ive heard that if you get an interview there the chances of acceptance are then 1:2?

Remember, though, that at interview, the competition is stiffer. That other one person is there because they're good. Don't be misled by the stats: 2:1 at interview is no better than 4:1 outside of interview, because the other two people were the "easy competition". The one left will be smart.

Reply 35

Hedgehunter

Hmm..well i wont worry about that now..not for at least 1.5 years.

Also bearing in mind that i think the total applicants for all courses at Cambridge is roughly 14/15000 so 2000 is a reasonable chunk for just one course. Besides NatSci is Cambridges' only science course and one could say its 'flagship' also along with History.

Reply 36

thomasjtl

Surely it depends on the school the OP is attending? In which case, they may look more favourably upon him.

Not hugely- yes they are more generous if your school is ****, but ultimately they're not gonna take on someone who won't be able to handle to course. Science is inherently mathematical- whether it's physics (applied maths) or quantum chemistry, or stats in bio, without a good ability in it you'll struggle at places like oxbridge who'll push you hard. I'd hazard a guess that if you didn't have maths a level they'd expect you to have done well at gcse to give them some indication that you will be able to handle it.

Reply 37

Good bloke

Hedgehunter

Well at Oxford they simply say Maths A level would be "helpful" for their Biological sciences course so i will have to think about applying there instead.

I think you should sit down and think carefully about your plans. DFranklin is right to assume that they mean more than they say. "Strongly recommended" means "Don't bother applying without unless you can prove you are a genius in this subject". "Helpful" translates to "nearly everyone else will be offering it so you'll be at a significant disadvantage without it". You should ignore these bits of information only after very careful consideration, and don't underestimate the amount of maths in biological sciences, particularly statistics.

Reply 38

Cirsium

Can I just interject at this point and say that although NatSci doesn't correlate 100% with science courses at Oxford (for one thing everyone's against each other, less partitioning) AT LEAST A QUARTER of Biologists I know at Oxford don't have any Maths past GCSE. If NatSci's what you're set on then obviously go for it, but all this talk of "don't bother applying without maths even if you want to do bio" is raising my hackles (I personally do have maths, but the QM course is so different to even A level stats that all it's useful for is a problem solving mindset and knowing what a log is)

Reply 39

Hedgehunter

Bekaboo

Thanks, thats cartainly something useful to think about...not that everything else in this topic wasnt helpful. :rolleyes:

Oh out of interest, Bekaboo did you every think about applying for NatSci at Cambridge rather than Bio at Oxford? If its not too much; what were the reason(s) for your choice?