We have a lot of repeat threads in here, asking the same questions - so hopefully this thread should help with some of them!
Before you ask your question, check out the Cambridge website (www.cam.ac.uk) as it has loads of information on it and loads of questions can be answered from there.
Right, the first, and most important thing that anyone wanting to apply to Cambridge should know, is that your UCAS form must be in their hand BY 15TH OCTOBER. Also, given the amount of questions about it on here - IT IS NOT ESSENTIAL FOR YOU TO HAVE 90% IN EVERY SUBJECT. Yes obviously it helps, its only goin to be a good thing, but it is by no means necessary for getting in.
The Forms - You have to fill out the UCAS form exactly the same as for any other university. You used to have to fill out the Cambridge Application Form (CAF) aswell, which asked you to list all of your modules on it, however, this form has now been abolished.
Once they have received your application they will send out the Supplementary Application Questionnaire (SAQ). The SAQ gives you the opportunity to give them some extra information. It is this form on which you must fill out all of your module grades. You must put every exam you have taken on there, including retakes and any module failed etc. Do not lie on this form, and say that you haven't retaken things when you have, because if they find out they have the right to revoke your offer should you be made one.
Your Personal Statement is really important here, as it really must be up to the highest standard possible. While other universities place a great importance on extra-curricular activities, this isn't the case with Cambridge - and the academic stuff really should fill most of it. Make sure that any extra-curriculars you mention demonstrate some skill that is/will be useful to you. TSR offers a PS Help service should you like help writing your PS.
The Exams - Make sure you are enrolled in all of the relevant exams you need to take, such as the LNAT and BMAT. These are important and unavoidable parts of your application.
The Interviews - There's lots I could say here, but I will try to keep it relevant and brief. They will be in late November/December so the most important thing is to make sure you keep this timeframe free! You may need to do tests the night/morning before your interview - so make sure you know if this is the case and follow any instructions given to you in terms of preparation if appropriate. Make sure that you have actually read any books that you mentioned on your PS and can talk about them - so many applicants come unstuck here and you don't want to be one of them!
DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, POST INTERVIEW QUESTIONS PAST OR PRESENT ON TSR. THE POSTS WILL BE REMOVED AND YOU WILL BE WARNED.
Try to relax. I know this is easier said than done, but if you view it as an interesting discussion with a great academic in your field you are likely to be more relaxed and make more sensible responses than if you are like a deer caught in the headlights.
Science and arts interviews tend to be different - for sciences it is recommended that you know the work you have done thus far inside out, whereas for arts it is much more about how you deal with the unknown. Just relax and be prepared. (I will do an Interview thread nearer the time with more details about interviews)
The LETTER - If you have an offer - well done! If you get rejected, try not to be too downhearted, most people get rejected, and ultimately its partly down to luck. Don't try and second guess the contents by the varying size of envelope - it means nothing! Similarly, UCAS often doesn't update until February - so be patient with it! Been pooled? Read on...
Being in the pool is scary, because its a whole new waiting game. You may be called up and given a straight offer by another college, or you might be called for an interview at another college. There are many reasons you might be placed in the pool - there might be no places left at your first choice college, or it might be that they wanted to compare you to other applicants to see whether you definitely are the person they want. For this reason you may end up with an offer from your original college even after being pooled. Its also not unheard of to be offered a deferred place even though you didn't originally ask for it.
The Wait - You will now have a really long wait, in which you study for your exams, and try not to panic. Some colleges might send you forms and things, whereas you might not hear from them again until after results day. Don't worry by this, they haven't forgotten you.
Results Day - Made your offer? Congratulations! If not, don't call them up and beg - it won't make any difference. They have already had your results and decided whether to take you. They will, however, put you in the Summer Pool. This is the same as the winter pool but for people who missed their offers. In practice, it is very unusual for those not reading maths to get offers through the summer pool, although not unheard of. Mathmos have the best chance in the summer pool as a lot of people miss their STEP offers. Also check out this link: http://www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/unde.../whatnext.html
FAQs
Are my grades good enough to get in?
Spoiler:
Ultimately, we don't know. If you meet the minimum requirements, ie predicted AAA at Alevel (or at least think you have a realistic chance of getting it) then there's no harm in trying. No matter whether you apply with 15A*s or none, no one here can tell you whether or not you will get in. We have a couple of threads dedicated to these questions so try http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=624535 and http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=573746.Also, you DO NOT NEED TO HAVE OVER 90%. Yes of course, it helps. but it is by no means a prerequisite. If you have A's but not 90% do not be put off applying!
What College should I choose?
Spoiler:
The one you most want to apply to! Don't worry too much about statistics - you are much more likely to succeed if you apply to somewhere you want to be, rather then just somewhere you think you can get in. Think about whether you want to be in a big or small college, and whether you want to be right in the middle or far out of the centre. Check out the Cambridge website for information on the colleges, also check out the Alternative Prospectus which gives you the students insight to the Colleges http://www.cusu.cam.ac.uk/prospective/prospectus/ The CUSU website also has all kinds of useful stuff about the Student Union and welfare information. Go and look round!
If you have a disability then take time to choose your college carefully, as some of them are better equipped than others. Cambridge streets are not designed for wheelchairs and a lot of the colleges have gravel - which doesn't make things easy! There is however, the Disability Resource Centre (DRC) which is very good. I am a Disabilities Officer at one of the Colleges, so feel free to PM me with any questions.
In terms of applications, some colleges may require you to submit essays in advance, and some may require you to sit a test at interview. If you have a particular strength in one of these areas its worth checking out which ones are going to show your skills off to their best advantage.
I've changed my mind about my course! What do I do?
Spoiler:
It happens. Sometimes you just realise that the course isn't the right one for you. What you need to do is contact your college as soon as possible. If the DoS in the new subject has space for you then it is likely that they will want to re-interview you. It could be that the College just says no. In this case you need to decide whether you want to take up your original offer or withdraw from UCAS and apply next year for a different subject.
What if something affected my exam results?
Spoiler:
There is the Cambridge Special Access Scheme (CSAS) which can be used if your education has been severely disadvantaged. You may be eligible for this if no one in your immediate family has ever gone to university AND you school has little or no history of sending people to university. One or the other doesnt count, and please note it is little history of sending people to university as a whole, not just Cambridge.
The other way to be eligible is if you has severe illness that significantly disrupted your education. To go down this route you will need a doctor's letter to confirm that this is true, and that whatever it was genuinely did disadvantage you.
You do not apply for CSAS, your tutor does it for you, although you can ask them to be put through on it. CSAS by no means guarantees you will get in, but most Colleges guarantees at least an interview to everyone who applies via CSAS. All this means is that you MIGHT have a slightly lower offer (say, AAB for example), or they might be more forgiving if you narrowly miss your results. We cant say exactly in what way every college uses this information, but if it is relevant to you, this extra information for them isnt going to hurt!
This thread is going to be updated as and when necessary (probably just before the next round of admissions) - but I've just spent ages putting it together so that's it for now!
I've found this page though which shows the universities response to many issues such as the usefulness of the Extended Project, personal statements, Oxbridge Applications and the A* at A Level.
i really have a dream that one day i can have an oppurtunity of studying at cam uni~ who can help me?
I share a similar dream. Don't listen to people who say don't think you'll make it. Or don't hold yourself to one too much.
However to contrast, make sure you are actually being realistic when comparing yourself to what needs to be achieved and researching a lot on your subject you wish to study.
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Useful Resources:
Guide to Applying to Cambridge
