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Who does not get an interview at Cambridge?

So according to statistics, about 80% of all applicants get an interview at Cambridge. So who doesn't?
The people who are being accused of plagiarism?
Or only those that have extremly low predicted grades, like BBB?
80% of applicants may get interviewed, but most applicants have very high grades/meet the requirements. So really it's not that surprising, lots of people think oh wow they interview 80% I have a good chance!!! Well, only if you meet the requirements/have a strong application.
Reply 2
Avatar for ermm
ermm
8
The other 20% don't. Generally if your average UMS is below 85%ish and you don't have extenuating circumstances, you won't receive an interview. On a side not, Cambridge make their own predicted grades based on your AS performance just because there are many centre's that bump up predicted grades in the hope that students will receive more offers.
Yeah, it's mostly people whose grades just fall below the requirements. The general idea is that there's personal statement, grades and interview, and you can mess up one a bit but not two, so if your grades are just clearly too low, or if they're a bit dodgy and your statement is a bit rubbish, you won't be interviewed.
Yeah, generally it's for applications that might be deemed speculative or frivolous; mainly those with grades that are too low to feasibly indicate that the candidate has the potential to succeed at Cambridge. There always seem to be the odd couple of people you hear about that are planning to apply with 3 Bs or something, and things like that. As others have said it may be that you have below average, but decent, grades but the standard of applications to the college that year was particularly high. Similarly if your statement is particularly poor that might lead to you getting overlooked - it needs to be fairly immaculate and effective for you to stand a chance of getting into Cambridge so they will probably auto-reject those that are especially bad.
Reply 5
Avatar for Colmans
Colmans
11
Original post by FlorianK
So according to statistics, about 80% of all applicants get an interview at Cambridge. So who doesn't?
The people who are being accused of plagiarism?
Or only those that have extremly low predicted grades, like BBB?


"How do you decide who to call for interview?

For those doing modular A-levels, significant emphasis will be placed on your scores in Year 12 examinations in our decision who to call to interview. It should be noted that, in the absence of exceptional circumstances, or unless extenuating circumstances have significantly affected your performance, competition for places is such that those averaging 85% and below across their three best (for arts degree subjects) or three most relevant (for science degree subjects) AS subjects, are very unlikely to be called for interview. Some of those averaging 89% or below, who are applying for the most competitive-for-entry Cambridge degree subjects, may also not be called. The chance of securing an interview improves the better your AS scores are."

The other common reason will be those who have the wrong subjects (no maths for Economics, no Physics for Engineering, no Chemistry for Medicine and so on).

Finally those who have failed to complete their application-perhaps they didn't do the BMAT (for medicine) or complete their SAQ will not get interviews. It is rare for PS or reference alone to be the reason.

The non-interview rate has increased from 10-20% in recent years.
Mostly, people with low grades or unsuitable subjects.

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