Cambridge Applicants for 2012 entry

Ohh okay! Thanks! How did this compare to Oxford?

I had a look at the test on the internet- it is really representative of the actual difficulty of the test?

I'm hoping to apply for English Literature for 2012 entry, it's starting to hit me how soon I'll have to think about personal statements!
I'm undecided about colleges, Kings, Emma and Jesus are my favourites so far.

Currently in the Irish education system

7As 4Bs in Junior Certificate ( Like GSCES but we do them a year earlier, also there are no A* in our system )
Probably will be predicted 5As 2Bs for the Leaving Certificate ( With 4 As and 2Bs being the average Cambridge offer to Irish students )

It varies from college to college and subject to subject, I believe. I've heard numbers from 50% to 75%. As I'm not at Oxford, I can't really comment. The way you could look at it is like this:

If you apply to Cambridge, you have a high chance of interview. You have a high chance of rejection post-interview.

If you apply to Oxford, you have less of a chance of interview. However, your chance of rejection post-interview is lower than Cambridge's. (I also hear the interview period there is a lot more fun )

anyone else booked open days ?

I know I'm really worried about what I'm going to say, but i'm pretty sure writing it is going to take over my life. Even now, months before we actually have to start entering the stuff, I'm catching myself drafting snipbits in my head.

Scary stuff, I once picked up a discarded PS in the school library a few years ago and just marvelled at how someone could write so much about themselves. 47 Lines all about me, fun times

Scary stuff, I once picked up a discarded PS in the school library a few years ago and just marvelled at how someone could write so much about themselves. 47 Lines all about me, fun times

Me too. I'm already ****ting myself about writing my personal statement. I don't know how I'm going to do 4000 characters praising myself, I really don't

Yes thanks, that's what my parents keep saying - you don't want to regret it. And wow they really interview 90%?

X

I heard there was somewhere on TSR that we could get help with PSes, is this true?

I heard there was somewhere on TSR that we could get help with PSes, is this true?

Across the whole university, yes, they interview 90%. But if you want to make sure you get an interview I'd consider applying to St Catharine's. I was told directly by their admissions tutor on summer school that their college interviews almost 100% apart from the odd few people who have clearly applied as a joke.

Yes thanks, that's what my parents keep saying - you don't want to regret it. And wow they really interview 90%?

Across the whole university, yes, they interview 90%. But if you want to make sure you get an interview I'd consider applying to St Catharine's. I was told directly by their admissions tutor on summer school that their college interviews almost 100% apart from the odd few people who have clearly applied as a joke.

This is not necessarily true (I would like to say that this is true, but I cant :P)
Two friends from my school applied to Catz. One was rejected before interview despite having 8A*s at GCSE, 93% average at AS (and predicted 5A*'s), an excellent reference and a good personal statement.
Another friend got an interview but was rejected without Pool despite having 11A*'s at GCSE, and was predicted 44 IB points, an EXCELLENT report and her personal statement was fantastic (or so I thought)

So I guess it varies from college to college.

Obviously I can't talk for the actual admissions proceedure, and there are always people who get rejected before interview when they might have been very good applicants. I was just going on what I was told, which might have been an exagaration in order to try and persuade me to apply there than verbatim truth.
But still, from my experience, the majority of people who do apply to Cambridge do get interviews. And in terms of getting in post interview it varies greatly. I've known people get in with no A*s and people get rejected with all A*s so obviously the interview process counts for a lot.
That said, St Catharine's (on the whole), do tend to interview most of their applicants, and I presume this boosts up the 90% figure wheras other colleges might interview significantly fewer than 90% of applicants.

Also, for anyone who does have exceptional grades, I'd definitely go for it. If you get over 8A* and over 93UMS in your 3 most relevant AS levels (don't know how it works for IB/international), then you get 'auto-pooled' even if you are rejected by your original college. Basically, you get a second chance. But even then only 1 in 5 get through the pool, but you'll essentially be considered by at least 2 colleges.

Sorrrryyyy I didn't mean to seem like I was ranting, which is how I came across! D:
But what happened to my friends is the exception rather than the rule!

And agreed with CoredeliaDesdamona, that if you have 8A*s and over 93% UMS at AS, definitely apply