Made Cambridge POOL, but never called. Should I re-apply?

I think for a lot of people, being rejected by Oxford or Cambridge is the first academic 'failure' they've ever encountered, and it can naturally feel personal. If there are more reasons to reapply that just the fact that you've been rejected (have had a sudden change of heart about what you want to do, or feel that you've not made the right university choices) then it's probably worth it - at least you'll know that you've given it your best shot and you just aren't what the admission tutors are looking for. There ARE universities that you will be happy at, and personally I'm not going to reapply because I don't think I could face being rejected again, and that I hope (if I get into the rest of my choices) that I will be successful and happy elsewhere.

I know of five TSRians who reapplied this year; one got an offer straight away and the other four (including me) 'drowned' in the pool. I don't regret reapplying, especially since it was for a different subject and I'm absolutely certain I made the wrong choice of subject last year, but don't just reapply without thinking very carefully about it and about what you'll do if/when you don't get in the second time.

Min, I reapplied to Caius after getting rejected for Englsih, without pooling, by Selwyn.

Imo, the best reason to reapply is if you feel that *not* reapplying will sour your experience of whichever uni you do get into. I was eventually rejected by all my choices except Warwick and Southampton, and I really did not want to go to either. Therefore, I reapplied!

It's easy to say it was a good decision now, as I've got my place at Caius - but I do remember feeling a huge emptying of anxiety when I finally made the decision, so it was clearly the right personal choice at the time, despite the risks involved.

If you're worried about staying sharp, may I suggest taking an Open University module in your subject to cover the 'gap year' time between your A2 exams and the Oxbridge interview?

also, Selwyn does not have the same reputation as Cauis has does it?....isn't Caius relatively speaking better than Selwyn......if so, after a rejection from Selwyn why did you re-apply to a more competitive college??

Hi there, i applied to Magdalene and was rejected without being pooled. I too have been rejected by all my choices other than for 2 Universities and I don't want to go to either of them!!

I'm thinking of taking a gap year. What i'd like to know is whether it would be best to apply to Oxford instead of Cambridge because on the CAF they ask whether you have applied to Cambridge before....

also, Selwyn does not have the same reputation as Cauis has does it?....isn't Caius relatively speaking better than Selwyn......if so, after a rejection from Selwyn why did you re-apply to a more competitive college??

also, by going to the Open University, did it help you when you went to Cambridge, were you at an advantage compared to other students??

To third the points of the ibis and Harry, you must remember that your degree is taught and awarded by the University of Cambridge. You college has a limited impact on the academic side of your degree. The social side however...