The Official 2017 Cambridge Applicants Thread [part 3]

I know someone who had 4As at AS, a great personal statement, loads of relevant reading, predictions above the standard offer and they got rejected before interview. This was for St John's...

I probably won't decide until the summer, although I'll be preparing stuff to do on a potential gap year over the next few months - just so working at Sainsbury's isn't the only thing I can do for 12 months...

Don't know where you live, but if it's easily accessible for,you, try attending lectures/talks that's open to public in the subjects you're interested. A lot of universities/research institutes/academic societies offer such events. Search online.
If you live too far from them, have a look st this place. Most of lectures are recorded and available to watch online for free,
Something you can do if you decide to take a gap year.

https://www.gresham.ac.uk

Radio 4 is a true treasure trove of programmes that would be very interesting for someone who are interested in that sort of subjects.
Get BBC radio iplayer app (different from tv one) which makes it much easier to search and download the programmes. (And unlike tv iplayer, they keep them available for years)

Luckily I live near Oxford, so it's really easy to go to public lectures there and London is just a short train ride away too.

I'm also considering doing the IEA internship thing once I save up enough money for the travel. Radio 4 is a treasure trove! I might start listening to it more, especially in the mornings.

Thank you very much for your help!!

I'm a really severe radio 4 addict. I listen to them all the time.
(Assume you listened to evening programmes like News Quiz, Now Show and Deadrngers? Or you're not as silly as me? )


You're most welcome,
I'll disappear after today, but it's been my pleasure that I've been able to share a small time with you. Thank you.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Of course anything to do with political satire, and I'm all over it haha.

I really want to know how I did in the admissions assessment tbh

Were you applying to King's or trinity college by any chance?

You can ask dr Spencer after you got in.

And you have more important things to ponder about at this momen...and after you arrive at Cambridge station. t.

There is a reasonably large element of subjectivity with university applications as a whole and Cambridge is no different to this. Remember you applied for a very competitive course ( as I did lat year and was rejected with very similar grade profile to you). If you look at the range of courses you will find there is quite a big difference as to their competitiveness. So for last year there were 2943 applications for natural sciences and 703 offers made. At the other end of the scale there were 146 applications for classics and 93 offers made.

Hopefully this puts your rejection into a little more perspective. I am assuming you already have offers from other excellent universities? What would be your motivation for reapplying? I am not saying not to but I think a little time out would help you.

Think about your other offers, if you want to reapply can they be deferred. I am not trying to sway your opinion mind. I decided not to reapply as Oxbridge didn't mean that much to me. I achieved my 4 A* at A level and can tell you I am in no way unique. I know loads of students at my uni with very similar grades ( including natural science) students.
Good luck with whatever you decide. 👍

Thanks for your advice The course is what really makes me want to reapply. I've got offers from Imperial, UCL, Birmingham and Bath but Cambridge is the only NatSci course that lets you take four modules (including the Maths). To be honest, the prestige doesn't mean as much to me as some other applicants and it's frustrating that my favourite course is at Cambridge because it is so competitive

This is how I feel. My favourite course (history applicant here) is at my most competitive choice!!'!

Arrived at Cambridge, now en route to Medwards!!!

Arrived at Cambridge, now en route to Medwards!!!