The Cambridge 2013 Results Day Discussion Thread

You maths types with your assuredness and your 100% scores! I can already see this becoming annoying. Try a subject like history, or any humanities, where even a far greater degree of *critical* thought and encyclopaedic knowledge won't get you a perfect score! :P

-Disclaimer- I am just poking fun.


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Look who is talking Mr. 'I get special phone calls' Girlfriend's prove useful!

You maths types with your assuredness and your 100% scores! I can already see this becoming annoying. Try a subject like history, or any humanities, where even a far greater degree of *critical* thought and encyclopaedic knowledge won't get you a perfect score! :P

-Disclaimer- I am just poking fun.

Well, if it helps to redeem us Arts-y folks, I got 100% in my history A level Maybe us Arts people should emphasise our strong points to even out the discussion

I know someone who did History at St. John's who got a starred first (that's about as much of a perfect score as you can get right?)

Well, if it helps to redeem us Arts-y folks, I got 100% in my history A level Maybe us Arts people should emphasise our strong points to even out the discussion

If your experience is anything like mine, get used to spending three years feeling inferior to the scientists...

Well done you :P. However I am probably right in saying that means you ticked the appropriate boxes, rather than that your historical interpretation is 100% accurate.

Not to demean your success, which is of course promising, but you will soon find that A Level history is looked upon rather despairingly by university academics - who see a lot of people who struggle to write essays, and who are used to the rote learning of 'facts', which do not exist in any meaningful sense.

In the main, it is often said that the postmodernist movement has completely failed to permeate the A Level curriculum - which is further diminished by political interference and a dependency upon patriotic or nationalist themes. Hitler and the Nazis being the obvious example.

If your experience is anything like mine, get used to spending three years feeling inferior to the scientists...

Haha, I have a sibling who's a Cambridge scientist, I'm already used to the feeling



Of course I know the degree is going to be a hell of a lot harder. As you say, there is of course no perfect essay or interpretation. I was speaking only in jest in regards to the scientists and mathematicians.

In the main, it is often said that the postmodernist movement has completely failed to permeate the A Level curriculum - which is further diminished by political interference and a dependency upon patriotic or nationalist themes. Hitler and the Nazis being the obvious example.

Agreed on the last point, but I am under the impression 'excessive' postmodernism in history has itself been challenged recently....notably by Richard Evans (in 'In Defence of History'). That would imply the current A Level isn't completely out of touch with pretty much every university academic. That right? I may be completely wrong as I've only just done the A Level myself

Congrats to everyone who got in btw, I'm so happy I managed to get my offer...

Are you automatically in the summer pool if you missed your offer and haven't been rejected on UCAS? Or have you been notified you are in the Summer Pool? Many thanks

I wasn't told that I was in the pool, I emailed my college to check if they got my UMS, and asked if I could have an update on what was happening with my application. Maybe you could try that?

Have you heard anything about it yet? I rang up yesterday to confirm they got my UMS, and have just emailed to inform them about a re-mark and to ask about the pooling situation, so thank you

Hi there, I think I remember you from the Winter Pool thread! The fishing colleges seem to have set some really tough offers this year. I know at my college, we had a post-Pool offer-holder visit day and they did say to us then not to panic about the high offers as they might well still accept us if we narrowly missed. This has been proved true in my case as I was 3 ums off A* in English and they accepted me after a few hours - it should definitely help your case that you are so close in both the subjects which you have A's in. And if not, all offer-holders with A*AA (except Maths i think) are automatically entered into Summer Pool, where I think you would have a good chance given that you achieved the grades which are the university's normal standard offer and very nearly made more A*s. I know it's a tough waiting game but sit tight, try to find yourself something good to do to keep you occupied and hopefully something good will come your way soon xx

Not a thing. I think we have to wait till the pool is over?

Definitely true that postmodernism can go too far. However it's not a clear cut choice between postmodernism and the A Level curriculum as it stands. Evans is still a progressive and you will notice for instance that he has been one of the leading critics of Gove and Starkey's view of history, and of their plans for the history curriculum in schools.

That is a great book though.


p.s. Have a look at this - I do not mean to infer that the Daily Mail is right in its leanings, but it highlights how this argument is operating: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2062280/David-Starkey-vs-Richard-Evans-Its-battle-History-Men.html

Thanks, will be seeing you soonish I guess Which accommodation have you applied for?
Awesome - I've already found you
Yeah, just my way of distinguishing it as being equivalent to an extra As level (except you can get an a*)





Yes, yes you are I mean, unless there's an incredible coincidence in someone completely matching your username :L
And yes, it is a very cool name Out of interest, how hard is it to find me?

Incidentally, I didn't even know you were Pembroke Etoile? Will have to try to stalk work out who you are too