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Is it worth trying to apply to Cambridge??

I've been considering this for a while now but I'm so stressed and need someone else's opinion. I'm hoping to go and study Human, social and political sciences at Cambridge and specialise in Sociology. I'm currently taking 2 A levels: sociology and Psychology as well as a Btec lv3 extended certificate Health and social.

I'm on track to get to A*A*A but I'm worrying that due to my GCSES Cambridge is impossible. I got 1 A* and the rest were pretty bad with mostly just passing. I looked at my school compared to the national average and it performed terribly compared to the national scale and surrounding area.

Should I still go for it ? Even if my GCSES are terrible?

Reply 1

MezmorisedPotato

If your GCSE's are high in terms of the low performing school, then the university will take that into consideration when deciding whether to select you for an interview or not.
Obviously, you cannot guarantee an interview but, it is only one of your five choices, so an attempt won't hurt in my opinion. You could get an interview but also prepare yourself in case you don't. Even high performing GCSE students sometimes don't get interviews so their selection process is never as completely simple as you think!
Good luck! :biggrin:

Reply 2

yt7777

Original post by Miaboo122

You'll probably have better luck with Oxford

They state that they'll accept a D* in place of an A* - https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/courses/admission-requirements/uk-qualifications?wssl=1

Reply 3

AzureCeleste

Original post by yt7777

No, oxford in general tend to be more GCSE heavy than cambridge so I think cambridge would be their best bet.
I'd go for it, you still have 4 other choices if you don't get in and if you like the uni it's worth a shot. Better to try and fail than think what if

Reply 4

ageshallnot

Original post by Miaboo122

The aim is not to get 5 offers, but 2-3 you like.

The only sure way to fail is not to try.

Reply 5

Doones

Original post by Miaboo122

You will need to check with a couple of colleges about your BTEC.

And ask here
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5549782
Ask an Admissions Tutor XIV: 28 August - 14 September

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Reply 6

Miaboo122

Original post by Doonesbury

Thanks for the help!

Reply 7

Doones

Original post by Miaboo122

Thanks for the help!

This is what Cambridge says:

https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/applying/entrance-requirements
"VCE A Levels, Applied A Levels, GNVQs and BTECs
VCE A Levels, Applied A Levels, GNVQs and BTECs don’t provide an appropriate preparation for most Cambridge courses, where the emphasis is more academic than vocational. As such, these qualifications can’t, unless otherwise stated, be used to replace the required or highly desirable A Level subjects listed for each course.
However, if any required/highly desirable subjects are covered, a six unit VCE or Applied A Level could be taken instead of a third A Level or as an additional fourth broadening subject. This combination of A Levels and VCE or other qualifications may be acceptable for some courses.
Potential applicants taking these qualifications are advised to seek further advice from a College Admissions Tutor as early as possible."

Reply 8

Presence

Original post by Miaboo122

i think its possible , theres a guy on youtube who got Ds in his gcse but he got good alevel results so he got into cambridge

i just started year 12 , how many hours do you revise to get to an A* ? i also take psychology , any advice would be great thanks xx
good luck!

Reply 9

Doones

Original post by Presence

i think its possible , theres a guy on youtube who got Ds in his gcse but he got good alevel results so he got into cambridge

Ibz Mo didn't do a BTEC.

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Reply 10

Presence

Original post by Doonesbury

Ibz Mo didn't do a BTEC.

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ooooh, yea...

Reply 11

Supernovas

Hi! I'm gonna add my two cents since I didn't get the best of GCSES, I do 2 A Levels and a CTEC (it's a mix of A Level and BTEC) and I wanted to apply to Cambridge.

Cambridge will not take you, I feel so bad for being so blunt but i'd rather be straight up than sugarcoat it. I was really crushed when I found out because I'm on track to get 3 A*s/ D* and 2 A*s and all of my subjects are facilitating.

However, my school urged me to look into Oxford and after speaking to them they confirmed that they'd look over my application and I'm welcome to apply.

Please don't waste yourself a straight rejection by aiming for A university that states on its website that it doesn't take BTEC. Places like Durham, Oxford, UCL, Bristol and so many more will take you.

If you really want the Oxbridge experience then try for Oxford (I don't expect to be given an offer but it's better to try then not know at all.) I'm trying for Oxford and my best friend is trying for Cambridge (he's that all A* type of student so he'll most likely get an offer) and if we both somehow get into Oxford and Cambridge respectively then I'll probably visit him 24/7.

It's your choice if you want to still apply or not but please bare in mind that Cambridge explicitly says they won't take BTEC whilst Oxford does.

Reply 12

Miaboo122

Original post by Presence

I usually study for about 7 hours a week per subject to keep on top of things and 100% I suggest getting your teachers to like you. Everything is easier when they like you.