Go to first unread
Back
to top
Maths at Oxford or Cambridge - How Did You Decide!?!?
Watch this thread
Poll: Where should apply to read Maths?
Oxford
(154)
38.89%
Cambridge
(242)
61.11%
This discussion is closed.
ShaneP
Badges:
4
Rep:
?
You'll earn badges for being active around the site. Rep gems come when your posts are rated by other community members.
#1
Hi
I want to study Maths at Oxford or Cambridge but am yet to deviate between the two. You may have seen a couple of my threads in the Oxford and Cambridge forums trying to decide on my shortlist of colleges at each university. Unfortunately, I remain as confused as ever as to which university to apply to! Each has it's own pro's and con's, and everytime I manage to convince myself through logical reason to apply to one, I conjure up some sort of counter argument about why I should be applying to the other. Firstly, my shortlist of colleges in order of preference for each (not as yet definitive):
Oxford
St. John's
Wadham
Christ Church
St. Catz
Worcestor
Cambridge
King's
Churchill
St. John's
Queen's
Trinity
I am planning to go back to each university and visit every shortlisted college and will then come to my definite first choice college for each. Now for my personal list of thought processes for each university (which may differ in opinion to other's):
Oxford
Cambridge
As you can see, I'm in quite a conundrum. Current students, or students with offers to study Maths at Oxbridge, how did you decide where to apply to!? Any feedback you can offer will be of paramount importance in terms of trying to decide where to apply, so many thanks in advance. I've incorporated a poll to make clear your recommendations, based on my opinions.
I want to study Maths at Oxford or Cambridge but am yet to deviate between the two. You may have seen a couple of my threads in the Oxford and Cambridge forums trying to decide on my shortlist of colleges at each university. Unfortunately, I remain as confused as ever as to which university to apply to! Each has it's own pro's and con's, and everytime I manage to convince myself through logical reason to apply to one, I conjure up some sort of counter argument about why I should be applying to the other. Firstly, my shortlist of colleges in order of preference for each (not as yet definitive):
Oxford
St. John's
Wadham
Christ Church
St. Catz
Worcestor
Cambridge
King's
Churchill
St. John's
Queen's
Trinity
I am planning to go back to each university and visit every shortlisted college and will then come to my definite first choice college for each. Now for my personal list of thought processes for each university (which may differ in opinion to other's):
Oxford
- Generally perceived to be 'less hard' to get into, and I definitely feel I have a greater chance of getting an offer
- Oxford seems a nicer city to live in
- Oxford is closer to home
- I feel more attracted to some of my shortlisted colleges
- An Oxford degree in Maths would be more than adequate for a good job in my desired line of work (Actuarial work) i.e. a Cambridge degree will not give an advantage, so why take the risk of not getting in?
- All colleges give a test at interview, which I'd prefer
- STEP papers are not part of the conditional offer
- The Mathematical Institute building leaves much to be desired
- Not all colleges provide accomodation for the duration of the course
Cambridge
- Generally perceived as 'better' for Maths
- Will provide the grandeur of having studied Maths at Cambridge
- Will rid me of the underlying questions: 'Would I have got into Cambridge?' and 'What if I'd gone to Cambridge?'
- Not all colleges give a test at interview, which is my preference so my choice of colleges is limited
- The Mathematcial Institute building looks like something by NASA (which is good
) - Cambridge colleges tend to have greater annual intakes of Mathematicians
- Cambridge colleges tend to provide accomodation for the duration of the course
As you can see, I'm in quite a conundrum. Current students, or students with offers to study Maths at Oxbridge, how did you decide where to apply to!? Any feedback you can offer will be of paramount importance in terms of trying to decide where to apply, so many thanks in advance. I've incorporated a poll to make clear your recommendations, based on my opinions.
2
Alewhey
Badges:
0
Rep:
?
You'll earn badges for being active around the site. Rep gems come when your posts are rated by other community members.
#2
Report
#2
Actually it isn't that complicated.
Are you brave enough and smart enough to take the dreaded STEP papers? If so, go for Cambridge, as it is undoubtably the superior course.
If you are more of a normal human being, you might prefer the Oxford course.
This is coming from a STEP failee.
Are you brave enough and smart enough to take the dreaded STEP papers? If so, go for Cambridge, as it is undoubtably the superior course.
If you are more of a normal human being, you might prefer the Oxford course.
This is coming from a STEP failee.
1
RichE
Badges:
15
Rep:
?
You'll earn badges for being active around the site. Rep gems come when your posts are rated by other community members.
#3
Report
#3
If you're fairly certain you wish to go down an actuarial route then I'd say the Oxford Maths & Stats course would suit you best. Oxford have the better respected Stats department and a strong range of stats options. Further the choice of which course you're on (Maths or Maths & Stats) can be delayed as late as the third year so you can keep many options open.
0
Alan Smithee
Badges:
0
Rep:
?
You'll earn badges for being active around the site. Rep gems come when your posts are rated by other community members.
#4
Report
#4
(Original post by Alewhey)
Are you brave enough and smart enough to take the dreaded STEP papers? If so, go for Cambridge, as it is undoubtably the superior course.
Are you brave enough and smart enough to take the dreaded STEP papers? If so, go for Cambridge, as it is undoubtably the superior course.
0
wanderer
Badges:
2
Rep:
?
You'll earn badges for being active around the site. Rep gems come when your posts are rated by other community members.
#5
Report
#5
(Original post by ShaneP)
- Will rid me of the underlying questions: 'Would I have got into Cambridge?' and 'What if I'd gone to Cambridge?'
0
Alewhey
Badges:
0
Rep:
?
You'll earn badges for being active around the site. Rep gems come when your posts are rated by other community members.
#6
Report
#6
(Original post by Platocrates)
It's evident which is better at English though...
It's evident which is better at English though...
Unbelievably I also got neg repped for that comment I made on that Jesus vs Clare thread.
1
tenjon
Badges:
8
Rep:
?
You'll earn badges for being active around the site. Rep gems come when your posts are rated by other community members.
#7
Report
#7
Platocrates doesn't go to Oxbridge so I don't think it was a case of him being 'touchy'.
0
ShaneP
Badges:
4
Rep:
?
You'll earn badges for being active around the site. Rep gems come when your posts are rated by other community members.
#8
(Original post by Alewhey)
Actually it isn't that complicated.
Are you brave enough and smart enough to take the dreaded STEP papers? If so, go for Cambridge, as it is undoubtably the superior course.
If you are more of a normal human being, you might prefer the Oxford course.
This is coming from a STEP failee.
Actually it isn't that complicated.
Are you brave enough and smart enough to take the dreaded STEP papers? If so, go for Cambridge, as it is undoubtably the superior course.
If you are more of a normal human being, you might prefer the Oxford course.
This is coming from a STEP failee.
But then I look at my reason's for why I should apply to Cambridge, and it's like a tormenting Mobius Loop.....
With regards to Maths and Stats, I have considered it but would be happy doing straight Maths and not commit myself to too many Stats modules, which are not particularly necessary for my career path anyway in terms of Actuarial Exam exemptions.
Finally, with regards to the haunting questions that Maths at Oxford entails, I would much rather be in that situation than apply to Cambridge and not get an offer. I really wouldn't want to study anywhere apart from Oxbridge, however naive that sounds. The question underlying this all is whether I could handle that disappointment or not.
0
Jan
Badges:
13
Rep:
?
You'll earn badges for being active around the site. Rep gems come when your posts are rated by other community members.
#9
Report
#9
do you actually know what actuaries do? I've met relatively many very good mathematicians or people talented in maths; none of them would ever touch the sort of work actuaries do. it's immensely boring.
there's work for mathematicians in finance, but actuarial work/accounting is as far from it as it gets, apart from secretaries..if you manage to get in, and finish your mathematics degree at either of the two universities, I doubt you'll ever think again about actuarial work
go for cambridge; aim higher.
there's work for mathematicians in finance, but actuarial work/accounting is as far from it as it gets, apart from secretaries..if you manage to get in, and finish your mathematics degree at either of the two universities, I doubt you'll ever think again about actuarial work
go for cambridge; aim higher.
1
ShaneP
Badges:
4
Rep:
?
You'll earn badges for being active around the site. Rep gems come when your posts are rated by other community members.
#10
(Original post by Honza)
do you actually know what actuaries do? I've met relatively many very good mathematicians or people talented in maths; none of them would ever touch the sort of work actuaries do. it's immensely boring.
there's work for mathematicians in finance, but actuarial work/accounting is as far from it as it gets, apart from secretaries..if you manage to get in, and finish your mathematics degree at either of the two universities, I doubt you'll ever think again about actuarial work
go for cambridge; aim higher.
do you actually know what actuaries do? I've met relatively many very good mathematicians or people talented in maths; none of them would ever touch the sort of work actuaries do. it's immensely boring.
there's work for mathematicians in finance, but actuarial work/accounting is as far from it as it gets, apart from secretaries..if you manage to get in, and finish your mathematics degree at either of the two universities, I doubt you'll ever think again about actuarial work
go for cambridge; aim higher.
0
KAISER_MOLE
Badges:
7
Rep:
?
You'll earn badges for being active around the site. Rep gems come when your posts are rated by other community members.
#11
Report
#11
Aye, if you think you can handle STEP your ability would eventually show through in the interviews. How many applicants do you think aren't going to be at all nervous? I was very clumsy and jittery mathematically in my first maths interview, but kept at it. Remember because of STEP Cambridge can make more offers than they otherwise could have.
Won't advise you either way though, both are top notch. Also, there are many other good universities out there for reading mathematics, don't feel it's Oxbridge or bust.
Won't advise you either way though, both are top notch. Also, there are many other good universities out there for reading mathematics, don't feel it's Oxbridge or bust.
0
wanderer
Badges:
2
Rep:
?
You'll earn badges for being active around the site. Rep gems come when your posts are rated by other community members.
#12
Report
#12
(Original post by Honza)
do you actually know what actuaries do? I've met relatively many very good mathematicians or people talented in maths; none of them would ever touch the sort of work actuaries do. it's immensely boring.
there's work for mathematicians in finance, but actuarial work/accounting is as far from it as it gets, apart from secretaries..if you manage to get in, and finish your mathematics degree at either of the two universities, I doubt you'll ever think again about actuarial work
go for cambridge; aim higher.
do you actually know what actuaries do? I've met relatively many very good mathematicians or people talented in maths; none of them would ever touch the sort of work actuaries do. it's immensely boring.
there's work for mathematicians in finance, but actuarial work/accounting is as far from it as it gets, apart from secretaries..if you manage to get in, and finish your mathematics degree at either of the two universities, I doubt you'll ever think again about actuarial work
go for cambridge; aim higher.
0
wanderer
Badges:
2
Rep:
?
You'll earn badges for being active around the site. Rep gems come when your posts are rated by other community members.
#13
Report
#13
(Original post by KAISER_MOLE)
Aye, if you think you can handle STEP your ability would eventually show through in the interviews. How many applicants do you think aren't going to be at all nervous? I was very clumsy and jittery mathematically in my first maths interview, but kept at it. Remember because of STEP Cambridge can make more offers than they otherwise could have.
Aye, if you think you can handle STEP your ability would eventually show through in the interviews. How many applicants do you think aren't going to be at all nervous? I was very clumsy and jittery mathematically in my first maths interview, but kept at it. Remember because of STEP Cambridge can make more offers than they otherwise could have.
0
RichE
Badges:
15
Rep:
?
You'll earn badges for being active around the site. Rep gems come when your posts are rated by other community members.
#14
Report
#14
(Original post by KAISER_MOLE)
Won't advise you either way though, both are top notch. Also, there are many other good universities out there for reading mathematics, don't feel it's Oxbridge or bust.
Won't advise you either way though, both are top notch. Also, there are many other good universities out there for reading mathematics, don't feel it's Oxbridge or bust.
0
ShaneP
Badges:
4
Rep:
?
You'll earn badges for being active around the site. Rep gems come when your posts are rated by other community members.
#15
(Original post by KAISER_MOLE)
Remember because of STEP Cambridge can make more offers than they otherwise could have.
Remember because of STEP Cambridge can make more offers than they otherwise could have.
1
tenjon
Badges:
8
Rep:
?
You'll earn badges for being active around the site. Rep gems come when your posts are rated by other community members.
#16
Report
#16
Because STEP is very difficult. Lots of people don't get the required grades, and therefore don't get in. This means that Cambridge make more maths offers as far more people fail to make the grades.
I think they offer to something like 40% of interviewees, but only about half of them will actually get in, unlike other subjects where the vast majority of offer holders get in.
I may be slightly off with the figures but the general gist is true.
I think they offer to something like 40% of interviewees, but only about half of them will actually get in, unlike other subjects where the vast majority of offer holders get in.
I may be slightly off with the figures but the general gist is true.
0
Ronove
Badges:
18
Rep:
?
You'll earn badges for being active around the site. Rep gems come when your posts are rated by other community members.
#17
Report
#17
Because so many people don't pass it and thus fail to meet their offer.
EDIT: Ah, too late.
EDIT: Ah, too late.
0
RichE
Badges:
15
Rep:
?
You'll earn badges for being active around the site. Rep gems come when your posts are rated by other community members.
#18
Report
#18
(Original post by ShaneP)
Really? Why is that?
Really? Why is that?
0
ShaneP
Badges:
4
Rep:
?
You'll earn badges for being active around the site. Rep gems come when your posts are rated by other community members.
#19
(Original post by tom391)
Because STEP is very difficult. Lots of people don't get the required grades, and therefore don't get in. This means that Cambridge make more maths offers as far more people fail to make the grades.
I think they offer to something like 40% of interviewees, but only about half of them will actually get in, unlike other subjects where the vast majority of offer holders get in.
I may be slightly off with the figures but the general gist is true.
Because STEP is very difficult. Lots of people don't get the required grades, and therefore don't get in. This means that Cambridge make more maths offers as far more people fail to make the grades.
I think they offer to something like 40% of interviewees, but only about half of them will actually get in, unlike other subjects where the vast majority of offer holders get in.
I may be slightly off with the figures but the general gist is true.
That puts things into perspective....
0
wanderer
Badges:
2
Rep:
?
You'll earn badges for being active around the site. Rep gems come when your posts are rated by other community members.
#20
Report
#20
Yes, only 2/3 of maths offer holders get in to Cambridge, compared to 9/10 in other subjects.
0
X
new posts
