The Official Cambridge Offer Holders Thread 2017 Entry

And STEP wasn't just a Maths exam. More (all?) courses had entrance papers in the 4th or 6th term of sixth form.

Oh and EE offers...

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Hey guys, haven't posted here in months (but you might remember me from applying/interview time). Hope it's worked out for everyone I missed my STEP offer but was accepted anyway!

when did they abolish EE offers? just curious

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Christ's was the last to offer them and it was surprisingly recently. 2011 iirc...

Ah no, back in our days we had S-levels to contend with. A 1 in S-level probably harder than A*, but hard to compare.
At the end of the day a certain number of places are available, and perhaps the difference now is that more people try - and there are more international candidates. There are few more spaces, I guess, due to new college(s) (is Homerton the only new one since Robinson?)

That's quite recent actually thought they were abolished like in the 80s

Christ's web site from 2011:
https://web.archive.org/web/20110307122106/http://www.christs.cam.ac.uk:80/prospective-students/undergraduate-applications/admissions_faq/#easyoffer

"What is an Easy Offer?
If you are a pre A-level candidate whose application is rated very highly after interview, you could be awarded a firm place in December for entry in the year for which you have applied. This would be subject only to satisfying the University requirements for entry, which usually means simply passing two A-levels at the minimum grade E (or equivalent qualification; for example the IB Diploma). Only a very few candidates are given an easy offer each year. To be considered for a "easy offer" place you would need to have an outstanding academic record to date and very strong support from your school. Assessment at interview is also an important part of selection for such offers which are not, therefore, often made to applicants from overseas."

Christ's web site from 2011:
https://web.archive.org/web/20110307122106/http://www.christs.cam.ac.uk:80/prospective-students/undergraduate-applications/admissions_faq/#easyoffer

"What is an Easy Offer?
If you are a pre A-level candidate whose application is rated very highly after interview, you could be awarded a firm place in December for entry in the year for which you have applied. This would be subject only to satisfying the University requirements for entry, which usually means simply passing two A-levels at the minimum grade E (or equivalent qualification; for example the IB Diploma). Only a very few candidates are given an easy offer each year. To be considered for a "easy offer" place you would need to have an outstanding academic record to date and very strong support from your school. Assessment at interview is also an important part of selection for such offers which are not, therefore, often made to applicants from overseas."

It's gone from the next snapshot version (Dec 2011, for 2012 year of entry).

Why not just offer an unconditional at that point?

Why not just offer an unconditional at that point?

To make sure the student actually finishes their A levels rather than not take the exams at all? or to give the guise of giving all students who aren't done with A levels, "conditional offers".

I think it's the latter

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I wonder if anyone missed the offer. Lol.

(Unconditionals require you to sit outstanding exams, but not pass them...)

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I wonder if anyone missed the offer. Lol.

(Unconditionals require you to sit outstanding exams, but not pass them...)

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Really you could get an offer of EE? I assume there was a tough entrance exam instead? Wow, 😳😳

There was that too, but I'm not sure when that stopped.

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That was my route in (4th term exam and then EE offer). I never realised that Easy Offers were a thing and would have guessed that once the entrance exam was abolished, EE offers would have gone the same way.

The philosophy/science of offers seems an interesting thing in its own right. Oxford, for example, give far lower offers than Cambridge, but it's harder (and more time-consuming) to get one. Why winter pool offer holders seem to have very missable offers is another strange thing. A bit of poor teaching/preparation can result in swathes of poolers missing out (as has happened at DD's school, where Chemistry was a real car crash).

Like they said, the college can't give unconditional offers because the University rules stipulate a minimum of 2 passes at A-level (or equivalent).

That's uni admissions processes for you. 😜😜 One thing experience has taught me. If you have connections ( family, friends, teachers) whatever who can advise/guide you through these processes and what to expect, it improves your chance of an offer. And that is natural and there is nothing wrong with that 😀.

Simple things such as " don't talk about your interview to other candidates", you'd be surprised how many do fish and ask on the day ( I was asked on a few occasions), what to put in a PS, 4 Alevels or 3 etc. I still think uni application processes can be daunting at 17 yrs old.

That's why I think the AT threads here on TSR are invaluable for those without such assistance, to level the playing field a bit. Maybe these particular threads should be highlighted by the outreach team? They may well now be, though not when I was at sixth form.

No idea why I went on a rant there, apologies to all 😜😜

If your remark means you meet the original conditions of your offer before 31st August then Cambridge will honour the offer.



I imagine your underwriting college would be the one to take you.

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My son missed his offer too. Only found out because his status changed on UCAS. He has A*A*A*A. It's so disappointing to do so well yet not secure a place. But still no news from his chosen college though, which is a bit disappointing too. 🙁

I assume he did 2 A levels year 12 and 2 year 13. Otherwise how did he miss his offer?