Ask Peterhouse! 2017 entry

OP

Original post by Marina_P

If someone is looking to apply to study medicine, from the Irish system (leaving certificate), should they attempt to learn some of the A-level syllabus, for both the BMAT, and any questions that may appear in an interview, if they were to get one. I am asking as the depth gone into in the leaving certificate course is considerably lower, as we take far more subjects and wouldn't want to be at a disadvantage, if asked a question building on the A-level course. Would anyone be able to tell me whether learning iGCSE information is enough for the BMAT, or whether I need to learn the A-level course. I have plenty of time, so this is not an issue.
Thank you in advance, and apologies if this question doesn't make sense.

I'll need to consult with the Directors of Studies about this, so it may take a little while to come up with the answers, but I will get back to you!

Reply 63

OP

Original post by KMcC_

Is there a popular/common way of keeping up Maths throughout the year?

@physicsmaths has some great suggestions.

Reply 64

Marina_P

6

Original post by Peterhouse Admissions

I'll need to consult with the Directors of Studies about this, so it may take a little while to come up with the answers, but I will get back to you!

Thank you very much, that's great! Looking forward to hearing back from you.
Kind regards,
Marina

Reply 65

imsoanonymous123

10

Original post by Peterhouse Admissions

@physicsmaths has some great suggestions.

Are you Dr Andras Zsak? Dr Sophie Jackson? Mr Scott Mandelbrote? Or is it more than 1 person on this thread?

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 66

Astrtricks

16

Hi I'm hoping to apply for engineering for admission next year and I'm currently taking Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry, Physics and Latin

My school after some reflection has decided that if I was hoping to apply to Cambridge it ought to be best to opt for me specifically to take As in all subjects regardless of wether we would be dropping them, could this potentially hinder me if I achieve middling As or conversely aid me if I do 'well' compared to other candidates who hadn't taken As were they were unnecessary. Additionally would much weight be given to my As score in latin given that I'd likely drop it and i only have 1 and half hours teaching per week and would a lone B in english language at GCSE reflect particularly badly on me.

As well you have any advice for super-curicular reading/activities for engineering I already partake in an activity building and programming rockets at school and whilst I find maths/physics engaging and read certain things that interest me like encryption, fractals, the potential for fission etc... I find it difficult to find any similar material which is more closely related to engineering.

Thank you in advance.

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 67

OP

Original post by imsoanonymous123

Are you Dr Andras Zsak? Dr Sophie Jackson? Mr Scott Mandelbrote? Or is it more than 1 person on this thread?

I’m a mixture! The three people you mention above are providing some answers, and so are Martin Thompson (Schools Liaison Officer) and Kathy Purdy (Admissions Coordinator) – whoever is best qualified to answer your question is the one doing it! At the moment it’s Kathy :smile:

Reply 68

OP

Original post by Astrtricks

Hi I'm hoping to apply for engineering for admission next year and I'm currently taking Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry, Physics and Latin

My school after some reflection has decided that if I was hoping to apply to Cambridge it ought to be best to opt for me specifically to take As in all subjects regardless of wether we would be dropping them, could this potentially hinder me if I achieve middling As or conversely aid me if I do 'well' compared to other candidates who hadn't taken As were they were unnecessary. Additionally would much weight be given to my As score in latin given that I'd likely drop it and i only have 1 and half hours teaching per week and would a lone B in english language at GCSE reflect particularly badly on me.

As well you have any advice for super-curicular reading/activities for engineering I already partake in an activity building and programming rockets at school and whilst I find maths/physics engaging and read certain things that interest me like encryption, fractals, the potential for fission etc... I find it difficult to find any similar material which is more closely related to engineering.

Thank you in advance.

First of all, the subjects that we are most interested in for Engineering are Maths and Physics, and Chemistry to a certain extent. So you don't need to worry about your Latin result. Likewise for the B in English Language GCSE.

We make use of all the information we have, so if you don't do very well in your AS exams then we will take that into account - likewise, if you do very well, it will be encouraging for us! If your school are treating them as mocks then it would be useful to know, (so they should mention this in their reference for you). We're still looking at how we're going to alter our admissions process to adapt to the new qualification system, so watch this space for more info on what to expect! It's possible that we will introduce an additional aptitude test for all applicants to take, or we might ask schools to provide a transcript of your progress, or it might be something else - more details will be available in the next couple of months.

For extra Engineering problems to play with, have a look here:
http://i-want-to-study-engineering.org/

Reply 69

Worrymuch

4

Hi
As a prospective physical nat sci applicant hoping to specialise in physics and doing the IB which of the following hl combinations would you say would be better:
Hl maths
Hl physics
Hl further maths
OR
Hl maths
Hl physics
Hl chemistry

Thanks

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 70

OP

Original post by Worrymuch

Hi
As a prospective physical nat sci applicant hoping to specialise in physics and doing the IB which of the following hl combinations would you say would be better:
Hl maths
Hl physics
Hl further maths
OR
Hl maths
Hl physics
Hl chemistry

Thanks

That's a good question and one that only you can answer. Either combination is fine. Things to consider are that more maths might prepare you better for physics when you get here but that you would be very limited in your choice of first year options in Natural Sciences with only 1 experimental science subject. The answer really depends on why the natural sciences course appeals to you and which set of options you'd enjoy doing most.

Another major consideration should be what the other universities you're interested in would prefer. I would advise candidates not to choose their subjects just for Cambridge but to look at what other universities prefer.

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 71

username1162972

18

Original post by Worrymuch

Hi
As a prospective physical nat sci applicant hoping to specialise in physics and doing the IB which of the following hl combinations would you say would be better:
Hl maths
Hl physics
Hl further maths
OR
Hl maths
Hl physics
Hl chemistry

Thanks

You shoukd consider Maths With Physics.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 72

Worrymuch

4

Original post by physicsmaths

You shoukd consider Maths With Physics.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Only problem is that I would then need to do step! If I did maths and physics could I continue with maths in second year?

Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

Reply 73

Doones

21

Original post by Worrymuch

Only problem is that I would then need to do step! If I did maths and physics could I continue with maths in second year?

Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

Yes (to STEP), and yes you can continue with Maths, or transfer to NatSci Part IB.

Reply 74

Worrymuch

4

Original post by jneill

Yes (to STEP), and yes you can continue with Maths, or transfer to NatSci Part IB.

Thanks

Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

Reply 75

username1972501

3

Original post by Peterhouse Admissions

Further Maths to A2 isn't essential, but it is highly advantageous and most candidates do take FM To A2. AS FM is better than no FM and you can be a competitive applicant without A2 FM, but you would be even more competitive with A2 FM. This is not merely a function of the qualification, but the Cambridge Economics course is very mathematical and you are likely to find the course more difficult if you have studied less maths previosuly.

Is A2 FM (Further Maths) taken on a gap year considered or are all qualifications supposed to be taken within year 12 and 13? Do you think some rejections were sent out based upon the applicant not having A2 FM and just AS FM for example?

Reply 76

username1162972

18

Original post by imsoanonymous123

Approximately what proportion of Maths students currently studying at Peterhouse having STEP grades of 1, 2 (or lower?) What proportion achieved STEP grades of S, 1 or higher?

Your gna need an FOI for that. I suggest you ask each II and III grade together, builds a better picture.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 77

OP