The Student Room Group

Reapplying to Oxbridge

Recently got pooled then rejected from Cambridge. Was kinda expecting it and i underperformed at interview and assessment.

Although i have great offers, I’m really not feeling them and was considering taking a gap and reapplying next year.

I’m predicted 3 A*s, and if i get these I think i might reapply (but only if these are achieved)

I did alright in my GCSE’S (9997777776) which i know is not typical for Cambridge but if i do officially get 3A*’s hopefully it would overshadow

My chosen course is very niche and academic so that is why i am so focused on Cambridge specifically

My question is - is it worth reapplying with this profile?
Which course?
Sorry to hear about your rejection - it's extremely common, and essentially just a numbers game, so please don't take it to heart.

I've just responded to taking a gap year to reapply to Oxbridge (thousands of students are asking the exact same question at this time of year), so take a look at my advice there, because it's the exact same for your situation.

In short though - yes, it's absolutely worth reapplying, and once you have those grades secured, they'll speak much more loudly than your GCSE results. Just make sure you're planning a gap year that will feel worthwhile to you whether your reapplication is successful or not - that's the secret to making this work.

Good luck!
Matthew (Yipiyap gap year ambassador)
Original post by jessica099
Which course?

Philosophy at Downing
Original post by Anonymous #1
Recently got pooled then rejected from Cambridge. Was kinda expecting it and i underperformed at interview and assessment.

Although i have great offers, I’m really not feeling them and was considering taking a gap and reapplying next year.

I’m predicted 3 A*s, and if i get these I think i might reapply (but only if these are achieved)

I did alright in my GCSE’S (9997777776) which i know is not typical for Cambridge but if i do officially get 3A*’s hopefully it would overshadow

My chosen course is very niche and academic so that is why i am so focused on Cambridge specifically

My question is - is it worth reapplying with this profile?

The question you should consider is why are you going to University, what do you want out of it and what it is the composition and level of return you are expecting on your capital ie the cost of going. Actually every one should ask these questions before applying to any Uni.
Original post by Anonymous #3
The question you should consider is why are you going to University, what do you want out of it and what it is the composition and level of return you are expecting on your capital ie the cost of going. Actually every one should ask these questions before applying to any Uni.

Hi I am very passionate about going to university as I would like a job in academia. I think Cambridge is the best suited for me personally and my future goals :smile:
Original post by Yipiyap_Matthew
Sorry to hear about your rejection - it's extremely common, and essentially just a numbers game, so please don't take it to heart.

I've just responded to taking a gap year to reapply to Oxbridge (thousands of students are asking the exact same question at this time of year), so take a look at my advice there, because it's the exact same for your situation.

In short though - yes, it's absolutely worth reapplying, and once you have those grades secured, they'll speak much more loudly than your GCSE results. Just make sure you're planning a gap year that will feel worthwhile to you whether your reapplication is successful or not - that's the secret to making this work.

Good luck!
Matthew (Yipiyap gap year ambassador)

Would you recommend reapplying to Cambridge, or applying to Oxford instead?
Original post by jessica099
Would you recommend reapplying to Cambridge, or applying to Oxford instead?

I understand the average entry tariff for Oxford is ever so slightly lower, so that may offer a slight advantage, but I have to admit, it's not my area of expertise. Matt Williams - who I mentioned in the other thread - might be able to give you more up-to-date advice than I can!
Original post by jessica099
Would you recommend reapplying to Cambridge, or applying to Oxford instead?

Oxford doesn't offer philosophy as a single honours course at undergrad, it has to be studied through classics or one of the joint schools.
(edited 2 months ago)
Original post by Anonymous
Recently got pooled then rejected from Cambridge. Was kinda expecting it and i underperformed at interview and assessment.

Although i have great offers, I’m really not feeling them and was considering taking a gap and reapplying next year.

I’m predicted 3 A*s, and if i get these I think i might reapply (but only if these are achieved)

I did alright in my GCSE’S (9997777776) which i know is not typical for Cambridge but if i do officially get 3A*’s hopefully it would overshadow

My chosen course is very niche and academic so that is why i am so focused on Cambridge specifically

My question is - is it worth reapplying with this profile?


Assuming you are anon 2 and applying to philosophy, then a) that's not really that niche and b) the decision I think probably centres more on what are your interests in philosophy and what other offers you hold. Broadly speaking most undergraduate philosophy degrees cover more or less the same topics for the core content, so the flavour of how those are taught and what options are available will be the biggest difference.

In any event I can't see any reason not to reapply in that case. It's generally recommended to reapply to a different college though so have a "clean slate" so to speak however.
Original post by jessica099
Ah, thanks! I'm not a philosophy applicant though, I applied to Cambridge and was rejected. Am wondering whether to reapply to Cambridge or apply to Oxford instead, as I'm taking a gap year.

Well since there are two anons and yourself all responding to this thread as if you made it, it's functionally impossible to tell who is who. Since only one of the anons has actually stated what subject they applied to, that is who the advice is aimed towards.

Since you haven't provided any relevant details no one can advise you. You also shouldn't hijack someone else's thread to ask your own question, it's impolite. You should make your own thread so you can receive advice specific to your situation.
Reply 11
Original post by Anonymous #1
Recently got pooled then rejected from Cambridge. Was kinda expecting it and i underperformed at interview and assessment.

Although i have great offers, I’m really not feeling them and was considering taking a gap and reapplying next year.

I’m predicted 3 A*s, and if i get these I think i might reapply (but only if these are achieved)

I did alright in my GCSE’S (9997777776) which i know is not typical for Cambridge but if i do officially get 3A*’s hopefully it would overshadow

My chosen course is very niche and academic so that is why i am so focused on Cambridge specifically

My question is - is it worth reapplying with this profile?

Probably not the response you want to hear, but you would probably get rejected again as Cambridges is so competitive, and because the success rate of re applicants is lower than for 1st time applicants. I’d therefore only recommend reapplying if you do something in your gap year like travelling, or something else that is enjoyable or character building, so you won’t feel like it is a waste if you get rejected again.
Original post by Yipiyap_Matthew
Sorry to hear about your rejection - it's extremely common, and essentially just a numbers game, so please don't take it to heart.

I've just responded to taking a gap year to reapply to Oxbridge (thousands of students are asking the exact same question at this time of year), so take a look at my advice there, because it's the exact same for your situation.

In short though - yes, it's absolutely worth reapplying, and once you have those grades secured, they'll speak much more loudly than your GCSE results. Just make sure you're planning a gap year that will feel worthwhile to you whether your reapplication is successful or not - that's the secret to making this work.

Good luck!
Matthew (Yipiyap gap year ambassador)

Although I took a gap year and I'm now at Cambridge, I think it depends on your circumstances. Further, I would be cautious taking the advice of a company which specialises in gap year tutoring, especially one that seems so certain despite not knowing your circumstances. For them to be so certain for so many students, it suggests they may not have your best interests at heart.

For the record, I would recommend it to someone in my circumstances (namely, COVID) but I think there are also people for whom it wouldn't be the best idea and that isn't something we can deduce on grade profile alone.
Original post by melancollege
Original post by Yipiyap_Matthew
Sorry to hear about your rejection - it's extremely common, and essentially just a numbers game, so please don't take it to heart.

I've just responded to taking a gap year to reapply to Oxbridge (thousands of students are asking the exact same question at this time of year), so take a look at my advice there, because it's the exact same for your situation.

In short though - yes, it's absolutely worth reapplying, and once you have those grades secured, they'll speak much more loudly than your GCSE results. Just make sure you're planning a gap year that will feel worthwhile to you whether your reapplication is successful or not - that's the secret to making this work.

Good luck!
Matthew (Yipiyap gap year ambassador)

Although I took a gap year and I'm now at Cambridge, I think it depends on your circumstances. Further, I would be cautious taking the advice of a company which specialises in gap year tutoring, especially one that seems so certain despite not knowing your circumstances. For them to be so certain for so many students, it suggests they may not have your best interests at heart.

For the record, I would recommend it to someone in my circumstances (namely, COVID) but I think there are also people for whom it wouldn't be the best idea and that isn't something we can deduce on grade profile alone.


Thank you for the response definitely will consider
Original post by melancollege
Although I took a gap year and I'm now at Cambridge, I think it depends on your circumstances. Further, I would be cautious taking the advice of a company which specialises in gap year tutoring, especially one that seems so certain despite not knowing your circumstances. For them to be so certain for so many students, it suggests they may not have your best interests at heart.
For the record, I would recommend it to someone in my circumstances (namely, COVID) but I think there are also people for whom it wouldn't be the best idea and that isn't something we can deduce on grade profile alone.
What were your circumstances, if you don't mind me asking? What A-level grades did you get, and what did you do on your gap year?
Original post by jessica099
What were your circumstances, if you don't mind me asking? What A-level grades did you get, and what did you do on your gap year?

I was the COVID year (originally 2020 entry) and I didn't get accommodation as I missed the deadline and grade inflation made more people request it than usual. I was supposed to go to St Andrews and the private market there is quite expensive so I'd probably have had to live alone quite far from the town and then commute. The idea of spending thousands of pounds to live away from my parents alone in lockdown didn't really appeal to me and I already liked the idea of a gap year so I decided to withdraw then reapply for 2021 entry.

When I applied, I applied with A*A*A*A in Maths, Further Maths, French and Chemistry, respectively, but I sat the October 'resits' for Chemistry to bring that up to an A*, which I let them know about before my offer came through (they knew I was taking it but I told them the grade).

On my gap year, after my Chemistry A-Level, I looked into getting a job and I ended up working in a school as an IT Technician.

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