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Rejected from Cambridge Trinity College (Computer Science with Maths)

Apologies for this but after the email I received from Trinity, I was a bit confused. I don't think there was a flaw in my application, in all honesty (this isn't just my opinion but also everyone else who I've asked)
The only thing that concerned me to differentiate applications like mine was the interview and the CSAT to be taken at the college. Please do not misunderstand when I mean flawless, by that I just mean a very strong application.

Here is an attempt to briefly redraw my application:

Subjects taken:
Computer Science
Mathematics
Further Mathematics
Physics

Predictions:
4A*s and A* in EPQ

Activities relating to Com sci which Trinity have evidence for:
Built an AI program that plays Chess to a substantial level - for EPQ
Currently working on a machine that composes good music on the spot
I've done a lot of research in Quantum Computing, Cyber Security fields and Machine Learning (since I didnt have space in my PS, these were in my reference).

Attainments: (let these be less prominent in an application for oxbridge)
Bronze, Silver and Gold DofE
National Level Chess Player (have played in tournaments and will go on to get my Grandmaster title)
Grade 5 pianist and am a composer- I do enter competitions
I have more but I rather not ramble on in this particular field

Awards:
Student of the Year
Musician of the Year
Kangaroo Qualifier for the UK Senior Maths Challenge

Average UMS score in Maths and Further Maths: 93/100

Now the real question:
Do you think there has been an error in Trinity's part?
Or, are there in fact people just more suitable to the Uni than myself? I'm asking you all since there is no better platform to retrieve a better answer than studentroom.

This is perhaps the first time I may come across as arrogant and will be the last time. I do apologise sincerely since this is not how I am like in reality. I know there are other amazing Universities but... (sigh) I really like Trinity.
(edited 6 years ago)

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your application is totally outstanding ! i guess it is because Trinity is the goal of so many talented maths students.... you could apply to one of the less popular destinations like Homerton idk... they may put you in the pool ?
Original post by the bear
your application is totally outstanding ! i guess it is because Trinity is the goal of so many talented maths students.... you could apply to one of the less popular destinations like Homerton idk... they may put you in the pool ?


He cannot be pooled. Pooling is only for those who are invited for interview, and are deemed good by their college, but cannot be given an offer due to there being many great applicants for that college.
It is strange, seeing as, on paper, your application seems quite strong.

I would note that, as I have heard it, Trinity is extremely competitive for STEM subjects, and particularly those pertaining to mathematics. Seeing as you have not been given an interview, it would appear that they do not consider you to be a realistic applicant (Cambridge's words, harsh as they may be). This is likely due to there being an extremely strong pool of applicants this year, meaning even strong people miss out on an interview.

Sorry ;(
Reply 4
Original post by fp1washard
Apologies for this but after the email I received from Trinity, I was a bit confused. I don't think there was a flaw in my application, in all honesty (this isn't just my opinion but also everyone else who I've asked)
The only thing that concerned me to differentiate applications like mine was the interview and the CSAT to be taken at the college. Please do not misunderstand when I mean flawless, by that I just mean a very strong application.

Here is an attempt to briefly redraw my application:

Subjects taken:
Computer Science
Mathematics
Further Mathematics
Physics

Predictions:
4A*s and A* in EPQ

Activities relating to Com sci which Trinity have evidence for:
Built an AI program that plays Chess to a substantial level - for EPQ
Currently working on a machine that composes good music on the spot
I've done a lot of research in Quantum Computing, Cyber Security fields and Machine Learning (since I didnt have space in my PS, these were in my reference).

Attainments: (let these be less prominent in an application for oxbridge)
Bronze, Silver and Gold DofE
National Level Chess Player (have played in tournaments and will go on to get my Grandmaster title)
Grade 5 pianist and am a composer- I do enter competitions
I have more but I rather not ramble on in this particular field

Awards:
Student of the Year
Musician of the Year
Kangaroo Qualifier for the UK Senior Maths Challenge

Average UMS score in Maths and Further Maths: 95/100

Now the real question:
Do you think there has been an error in Trinity's part?
Or, are there in fact people just more suitable to the Uni than myself? I'm asking you all since there is no better platform to retrieve a better answer than studentroom.

This is perhaps the first time I may come across as arrogant and will be the last time. I do apologise sincerely since this is not how I am like in reality. I know there are other amazing Universities but... (sigh) I really like Trinity.


Hey :smile:

Your application is really strong, congratulations on everything. The only reason you may not have been offered an interview, if this isn't an error, that I can think of is probably contextual.

Do you go to a sixth form/college with lots of people going to oxbridge each year?
Reply 5
Original post by Rii.M
Hey :smile:

Your application is really strong, congratulations on everything. The only reason you may not have been offered an interview, if this isn't an error, that I can think of is probably contextual.

Do you go to a sixth form/college with lots of people going to oxbridge each year?


Thank you for your response :smile: I really do appreciate it.

I go to a sixth form where only 1 or 2 get an offer from oxbridge every year.
Reply 6
Original post by xBasedChris
It is strange, seeing as, on paper, your application seems quite strong.

I would note that, as I have heard it, Trinity is extremely competitive for STEM subjects, and particularly those pertaining to mathematics. Seeing as you have not been given an interview, it would appear that they do not consider you to be a realistic applicant (Cambridge's words, harsh as they may be). This is likely due to there being an extremely strong pool of applicants this year, meaning even strong people miss out on an interview.

Sorry ;(


Thank you for your response :smile:

I understand. So it is in fact the applicants being too strong this year. I see.
Reply 7
No way, this has to be an error, email them if this was an error, imagine working this hard especially on computer science and physics ( i have an English brain and excel in bio, history, English so the others are really hard to me) and being told that you are not good enough.
Reply 8
Original post by BaQPaQ
No way, this has to be an error, email them if this was an error, imagine working this hard especially on computer science and physics ( i have an English brain and excel in bio, history, English so the others are really hard to me) and being told that you are not good enough.


Thank you for your response :smile:

They specifically said in their email not to ask why I was rejected until January. I really do appreciate your comment though :smile:
They probably felt on the basis of your interview you would not do well in the tutorial format and/or Cambridge course specifically - this would apply no matter which college you were at, and therefore you were rejected. Given you weren't made an offer for NatSci or 75% CS, and you weren't pooled, this seems the most likely reason.

Your CSAT results may have also influenced the decision, although that could be assumed to be a "blip" given your otherwise apparently strong application. However if you had quite poor GCSE results as well then poor GCSEs plus poor CSAT and outstanding predictions may lead them to believe you have been overpredicted by your teachers, deliberately or otherwise.

If you weren't invited to interview then the only thing I could think is you did atrociously in CSAT and some of the above may have applied, and they may have had a cohort that overall did very well in CSAT otherwise.
dude, first of all you cant be rejected based on those predicteds.... you will still get an interview at least.. Plus that application is WAYY TOO strong for it to be rejected!!
Reply 11
Original post by GovernmentEarner
This isn't a mistake, sorry these people are wrong.

Are you clearly an intelligent, able and excellent student? Yes.
So whats the problem? You applied for Mathematics at Trinity.

It is the most applied for course at any college across Cambridge by a long, long, long way, double any other.
Your application will look average compared to those with multiple A*'s already achieved and 100% UMS etc.

Honestly if it was any other course at any other college I'd be surprised you were rejected.
Bad luck, I'm sure you'll end up at a top institution that will be lucky to have you. :smile:


Thank you for your response :smile:

Perhaps it is just the competition this year but on Trinity's own website for the course of Computer Science with Mathematics, it states that successful applicants (note: not just the applicants who got called for interview but those who got offers) attained UMS scores of 90+

Maybe this year, people actually did obtain UMS scores of 100. I don't know. Another thought was since the course is designed for those who haven't done any computing while I've done a lot of it, would I not at least be considered for an interview?

I just don't see where I went wrong.
Original post by fp1washard
Thank you for your response :smile:

I understand. So it is in fact the applicants being too strong this year. I see.


You will only know for certain if you get feedback, but a strong applicant field is a common reason. I would email to ensure this is correct, seeing as you are a strong applicant.
Reply 13
Original post by fp1washard
Thank you for your response :smile: I really do appreciate it.

I go to a sixth form where only 1 or 2 get an offer from oxbridge every year.


The course you applied for is very competitive so it may be because of the amount of applicants. You could email the admissions officer at the college you applied to and ask why you didn't get through.
Your referee could email Trinity to ask them to reconsider, happened in my old school a couple of years back to one of my friends’ brother, he ended up getting a place and also a first class in maths
Reply 15
Original post by RedGiant
From the way you posted it, it sounds like you're trying to find every possible way to make your application sound flawless. I mean come on, "student of the year", what the flip does that even mean? I could say I'm the best student in the world in my PS, because my mother told me :wink:

What were your GCSEs?

Nothing from what you posted provides any reason for you to be rejected before an interview so there must have been something. Even for Trinity, one of the most popular colleges, you should have probably got an interview from what you posted. BUT there will be a reason, never assume it's their fault.

In the case that it was without any flaws, which I doubt, the only plausible reason was that there are way to many applicants applying to trinity. Which is why you'd have probably gotten an interview, and possibly a better chance of an offer, at say Fitzwilliam, Homerton, or any of the other slightly smaller colleges. But I doubt you were not interviewed due to oversubscription of applicants.


Thank you for your response :smile:

Just a few doubts to clear. "Student of the Year" is an established award which highlights my impact in my school community, it is indeed (at least what I think) a prestigious award. My GCSEs are 5 A*s 6 As and 3Bs, not the best but surely my current attainments exceed what I once was. I'm a specialist in computer science and maths, not a generalist in the rest of the subjects taught at GCSE. Cambridge value AS results over GCSEs.

My initial reason for posting this question was not to go against Trinity assuming they made a mistake, it was to see whether my application is the norm. I'm here looking for someone who applied to Trinity got an interview but got lower predictions, did less stuff etc.
Reply 16
Original post by xBasedChris
You will only know for certain if you get feedback, but a strong applicant field is a common reason. I would email to ensure this is correct, seeing as you are a strong applicant.


I guess I just have to wait until January.
Reply 17
Original post by Rii.M
The course you applied for is very competitive so it may be because of the amount of applicants. You could email the admissions officer at the college you applied to and ask why you didn't get through.


They specifically told me not to ask for feedback until January.
Reply 18
Original post by RedGiant
Totally misread the question - thought you said you were rejected WITHOUT an interview...

In which case, the reason is simple... Your interview performance and CSAT obviously let you down I'm afraid. What were your GCSEs?


I was rejected without an interview.
My GCSEs are 5a*s 6as and 3bs
Reply 19
Original post by HeadHoncho
Your referee could email Trinity to ask them to reconsider, happened in my old school a couple of years back to one of my friends’ brother, he ended up getting a place and also a first class in maths


Wow, congrats to him.
I might consider asking my referee, but it may be unlikely since Trinity is overly-subscribed.

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