Do you think it's harder to get a 2 in STEP 2, or get a good enough result in the MAT for Oxford?
I'd say that STEP 2 is far more difficult than the MAT, but I couldn't tell you which is harder to get a good result in with any sort of experience. All I'm saying is that I am bloody thankful not to have my offer rely on STEP, and to have got the MAT over with
Peoples' MAT result, while very important for the Oxford offer, is still only part of the Oxford offer. What I mean is - you can do 'okay' in the MAT (not great, but of course not poorly) and still get an interview - and if your interviews go very well, and the rest of your application is good, your MAT score might not hinder your chances of getting an offer. Once you have your Cambridge/Warwick/Bath/Imperial offer, you have to get the STEP grades, or that's it. The MAT is more flexible.
Is there any way I can get out of doing STEP if I'm applying for Imperial / Bath?
Usually Imperial won't ask for it. And Bath give an alternative offer which is A*AA, as opposed to the A*AB + 2 in STEP/ Merit in AEA. The only ones which are non negotiable are Cambridge and Warwick. Although Warwick let people in last year with 3. Because STEP was pretty tough.
Usually Imperial won't ask for it. And Bath give an alternative offer which is A*AA, as opposed to the A*AB + 2 in STEP/ Merit in AEA. The only ones which are non negotiable are Cambridge and Warwick. Although Warwick let people in last year with 3. Because STEP was pretty tough.
Ah okay, I'm probably gonna be applying for Maths+CS at Oxford, Imperial and Bristol, and then straight maths at UCL and something else. Which straight maths ones would you recommend then that are decent but don't care too much about STEP, because I wouldn't like having an extra obstacle between the offer and the acceptance
Ah okay, I'm probably gonna be applying for Maths+CS at Oxford, Imperial and Bristol, and then straight maths at UCL and something else. Which straight maths ones would you recommend then that are decent but don't care too much about STEP, because I wouldn't like having an extra obstacle between the offer and the acceptance
Bristol, UCL and Imperial are great choices, also Durham. For non STEP they're the best you could ask for.
Ah okay, I'm probably gonna be applying for Maths+CS at Oxford, Imperial and Bristol, and then straight maths at UCL and something else. Which straight maths ones would you recommend then that are decent but don't care too much about STEP, because I wouldn't like having an extra obstacle between the offer and the acceptance
Bath is also worth a look - great university that tends not to make STEP offers (though mine is - I put it down on UCAS and it's their policy to make STEP offers when you put it down! Silly me )
Thank you for finally showing me some love Durham =D
OFFER YAYYYY! And on Friday 13th too. Maybe it isn't so unlucky...
YAY CONGRATS!!
I've been waiting aaages for Durham as well! Can I ask, which college did you apply for? When did you send your UCAS application off? + Are you applying for the 4 year course?
I've been waiting aaages for Durham as well! Can I ask, which college did you apply for? When did you send your UCAS application off? + Are you applying for the 4 year course?
Sorry for all the questions, I'm just impatient
Thanks =)
Haha its okay. I was doing the exact same thing before today.
I applied to St Aidan's (haven't got confirmation of college yet though). Sent UCAS off on Oct 7th 2011 and I did apply for the 4 year course.
Thank you for finally showing me some love Durham =D
OFFER YAYYYY! And on Friday 13th too. Maybe it isn't so unlucky...
Me too Congratulations! So pleased about that as my offer for bath is the Step/AEA one so the Durham one should be in theory easier to get. What college did you apply for?
Me too Congratulations! So pleased about that as my offer for bath is the Step/AEA one so the Durham one should be in theory easier to get. What college did you apply for?
Luckily I didn't get a STEP/AEA offer from bath. Just two AA's. Helps being in the Scottish system sometimes.
Durham offer was nicer than I thought too. I thought they would give me a A1AA offer (A1 is basically Scottish Equivalent of an A*) but nope, just AAA.
I applied to St. Aidan's but no confirmation yet of course.
Thanks! I'm so excited now and motivated. All my friends have started getting unconditionals for Scottish Uni's, so knowing what I'm aiming for now is great and just in time for prelims!
What's your astrophysics like? is it mainly qualitative?
I haven't started yet, but it's about half qualitative and half quantitative. The quantitative bit is the area that I am most looking forward to, as the concepts can be so interesting
are you thinking of switching if you get to Cambridge?