Getting into Oxbridge for Postgraduate Study

Hello everyone! I'm a third year MML student at Cambridge, and I'm in the bewildering and slightly frightening position of deciding what to do next. Thankfully, I have a fourth year!

I'm seriously considering the Mst in modern and medieval languages, specialising in medieval French literature.

I achieved a first in my first year, but a 2.1 in my second year. I was hospitalised for over a week with suspected meningitis, and I also suffered from severe depression as a consequence. I achieved firsts in 2 of my 3 literature papers, but I also achieved 2.2s in two language papers (1 mark off a 2.1!)

I'm predicted to achieve a first in my final year, since I have a strong dissertation and a year in France to improve my language skills. Hopefully I won't end up in hospital in fourth year...!

I know that you guys aren't in a position to tell me if my academic transcript is weak, but do you think that this, in and of itself, could be detrimental to my application? Or are other areas (research proposal, sample writing, references) considered on an equal basis?

Cheers!




Posted from TSR Mobile

Hello everyone! I'm a third year MML student at Cambridge, and I'm in the bewildering and slightly frightening position of deciding what to do next. Thankfully, I have a fourth year!

I'm seriously considering the Mst in modern and medieval languages, specialising in medieval French literature.

I achieved a first in my first year, but a 2.1 in my second year. I was hospitalised for over a week with suspected meningitis, and I also suffered from severe depression as a consequence. I achieved firsts in 2 of my 3 literature papers, but I also achieved 2.2s in two language papers (1 mark off a 2.1!)

I'm predicted to achieve a first in my final year, since I have a strong dissertation and a year in France to improve my language skills. Hopefully I won't end up in hospital in fourth year...!

I know that you guys aren't in a position to tell me if my academic transcript is weak, but do you think that this, in and of itself, could be detrimental to my application? Or are other areas (research proposal, sample writing, references) considered on an equal basis?

Cheers!

Hello everyone! I'm a third year MML student at Cambridge, and I'm in the bewildering and slightly frightening position of deciding what to do next. Thankfully, I have a fourth year!

I'm seriously considering the Mst in modern and medieval languages, specialising in medieval French literature.

I achieved a first in my first year, but a 2.1 in my second year. I was hospitalised for over a week with suspected meningitis, and I also suffered from severe depression as a consequence. I achieved firsts in 2 of my 3 literature papers, but I also achieved 2.2s in two language papers (1 mark off a 2.1!)

I'm predicted to achieve a first in my final year, since I have a strong dissertation and a year in France to improve my language skills. Hopefully I won't end up in hospital in fourth year...!

I know that you guys aren't in a position to tell me if my academic transcript is weak, but do you think that this, in and of itself, could be detrimental to my application? Or are other areas (research proposal, sample writing, references) considered on an equal basis?

Cheers!




Posted from TSR Mobile

It sounds as if you're doing great. So sorry to hear about the hospitalization issues though. It seems like you should be in a great position to continue academic study. Your research proposal will be very important when you apply for the MSt, so you might want to review it with some of faculty members at Cambridge before submitting it.

I'd say that the research proposal is more important than your transcript. They won't look at your 2:2 in your second year if you achieve a first!

As far as I know Cambridge ask for a full transcript when you apply, so they will see the 2.2. However, as others have said, if you do achieve that first ultimately, then you should have very few problems receiving an offer. I will also say that, seeing as you are a Cambridge undergrad, you are at an advantage in that the department will know of your circumstances (being ill in second year), compared with someone applying from outside who may have to explain that blip on their record. Additionally, your references, being (I presume) all internal Cambridge people, will only further strengthen your case if you can get people teaching & working in MML to support you. So keep working hard & I don't doubt you'll get an offer

Hi guys!

I was applying for BBSRC DTP funded programme at Cambridge, but I got rejected and they suggested me to transfer my application to another Department. They did that, but I am afraid of getting rejected again:-( I have a low 2:1, obtained from the non-UK EU university and relevant research experience. I'm a master student at another EU university at the moment, but I didn't send in my master grades, only undergraduate ones. My references should be good as well. Anyone with similar experience? I chose Department of Biochemistry, so is it possible to just get accepted at a research based PhD, if you have just satisfied minimum requirements?

I haven't heard of that but if they suggested it then I'm sure it is possible. I don't know what you mean 'if you have just satisfied minimum requirements. You might be required to interview, write a research proposal, etc. - check the requirements carefully. I would email the BBSRC DTP admin back to check the protocol.

Hi guys!

I was applying for BBSRC DTP funded programme at Cambridge, but I got rejected and they suggested me to transfer my application to another Department. They did that, but I am afraid of getting rejected again:-( I have a low 2:1, obtained from the non-UK EU university and relevant research experience. I'm a master student at another EU university at the moment, but I didn't send in my master grades, only undergraduate ones. My references should be good as well. Anyone with similar experience? I chose Department of Biochemistry, so is it possible to just get accepted at a research based PhD, if you have just satisfied minimum requirements?

Why didn't you send in your master's grades as well? Or do you not have any yet?

Yeah, I cannot get them at this point, so I don't know what to expect. My master grades should be also equivalent of 2:1 at this point.

That doesn't look good (considering that even people with good 1st don't get funding). You should try again next year. A good Masters and especially a good thesis can compensate an average Bachelors.

Ok, thanks for the advice. Yeah, that's not good. I mentioned in the CV that I am a master student, but that doesn't mean a lot obviously.

For a PhD, you have to show that you can do good research, so you'll probably have more chance next year, since you'll be able to give them a sample of your master's thesis. Don't screw that one.

Hi guys!

I was applying for BBSRC DTP funded programme at Cambridge, but I got rejected and they suggested me to transfer my application to another Department. They did that, but I am afraid of getting rejected again:-( I have a low 2:1, obtained from the non-UK EU university and relevant research experience. I'm a master student at another EU university at the moment, but I didn't send in my master grades, only undergraduate ones. My references should be good as well. Anyone with similar experience? I chose Department of Biochemistry, so is it possible to just get accepted at a research based PhD, if you have just satisfied minimum requirements?

I don't know. I thought that it was a general thing that they ask you to apply at another department.

No, it's not. The general thing is that you get rejected, end of story.

Btw, is it easy to get into Trinity? Also, how competitive Cambridge Trust grants and Trinity External Research Studentships are? Again, do people with 2:1 get them?:-)