Cambridge 2016 Postgraduate Entry

Department don't rank applicants at Cambridge? From what I've understood at Oxford, each department makes a shortlist of the top applicants, in which funding bodies and colleges pick their scholarship recipients.
That's why I'm so cautious, I don't want to miss the shortlisting!

Hi everyone,

I (very obviously) just made an account because I've applied (haven't put in all the docs yet) and now I'm (predictably) nervous as all hell and feel the need to rant about it.

I'm in the writing-my-research-proposal-for-an-MPhil phase and it's currently 1300 words (supposed to be 500-800). Argh.

Few questions, if anyone knows the answers?

- Will I be at an advantage or disadvantage coming from overseas (not the US)? I've got a First, but we have very few universities here, so it's hard to know whether or not they'll consider mine... good.
- I've been working for a year - not academic research related, but has a research component. Good job. Should I try to draw it in much in my research proposal or toss a line and leave it there? Second to that, it shows a clear political affiliation - think they'll look past it or use it as a reason not to select me?
- My research proposal is currently a bit of an even split between the actual research and broader motivation - do you think passion and narrative and such is important or should I ruthlessly cut most of it out?

Thanks in advance - I'm the only person I know applying so I'm grateful there's a place with people in a similar position.

AAARGH

Si si - but they were such small boxes.

I have so much I want to say - it's aggravating.

Will I be at an advantage or disadvantage coming from overseas (not the US)? I've got a First, but we have very few universities here, so it's hard to know whether or not they'll consider mine... good.

I've been working for a year - not academic research related, but has a research component. Good job. Should I try to draw it in much in my research proposal or toss a line and leave it there? Second to that, it shows a clear political affiliation - think they'll look past it or use it as a reason not to select me?

My research proposal is currently a bit of an even split between the actual research and broader motivation - do you think passion and narrative and such is important or should I ruthlessly cut most of it out?

Hi Guys, i'm new to the forum so i'm not quite sure of how it works.

I wanted to ask if anyone could help me understand if i have chances to get into the Mphil in Environmental Policy given my profile and also i wanted to ask how competitive is the admission for the course.
I am Italian and i am about to graduate in an english taught BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics in Italy with the highest possible grade (110/110).
I have two good references (One from a Political Science professor, and one from a Public Law professor) and i believe the statement is okay. Yet i only have one extracurricular experience (at FAO)
Do i stand any chances of being admitted coming from a mainly political background and with this profile?

Thanks to anyone who can help me

And one last thing, how long does it usually take to have an offer? I applied in late November and my last reference was upload on 2 December

I don't get why you guys apply so early and already waiting for an offer ten months before the start of the course. Most funding decisions will only be taken between March and June anyway.

Because funding deadlines, especially for overseas applicants, are ridiculously early

Ah yes, that's true, I remember about the Gates and Rhodes deadlines now.

Gates, that's the one I was thinking of. I just don't know how people manage to get their applications in by mid-October.

Hi everyone

I'm currently studying for a Master in UK, I love studying and I would like to do it in a very stimulating place...

So, I want to give it a go...
I would like to apply for a PhD in Cambridge, but I have almost no previous research experience (except for my BSc Thesis), and I need to apply by the 6th January (for the funding).

I fear that the competition to enter in a PhD would be too much... So I was thinking, as an alternative, to try for a MPhil (and maybe, next year, for the PhD).


Is that a stupid idea?

Anyone can give me any suggestion?

Apply for the PhD. If they think you will benefit from doing the MPhil first instead they'll make you an offer for that...a few people in past years reported this happening.