This discussion is now closed.
Check out other Related discussions
- Cambridge MML Application Advice
- written work cambridge
- Modern and Medieval languages at Cambridge
- MML online interviews Cambridge
- Anyone else applying for MML at Clare College for 2025 entry?
- personal statement help (history and mml)
- Cambridge/Oxford University: Studying Abroad
- Cambridge MML college choice
- Cambridge MML admissions test
- Selwyn College Cambridge 2024 offer-holders
- Magdalene Cambridge applicants 2022
- Cambridge MML admissions assessment - question structure
- Interviews at Fitzwilliam
- Trinity MML Portfolio essays
- Insurance University Help?!!
- Trinity College Cambridge 2025 applicants
- Please mark my IGCSE English Language answer
- Can I choose to specialise more in one of my languages in the MML Cambridge degree?
- Student roost york
- Question on standard solutions
MML Feedback Letter
Just received a feedback letter, which I requested out of interest to see where I could have improved. And oh my word it was harsh. The tone seemed very much like they were up their own arses and written as if they had a superiority complex. It seemed there was no attempt to be diplomatic.
Maybe I'm just whinning but I showed it to some of my friends and teachers at school and they said the same, especially considering I am considered to be very strong at French.
Examples of what they wrote.
Michael had very weak AS grades, and we had reservations about calling him for interview. Our reservation were proved correct when he came to interview.
He made a slow and nervous start to his French interview, and demonstrated language skills far below the standard we would expect for an A-Level French.
Michael did not demonstrate any real passion for the subject. His actions were superficial and lacking any substance. We feel he would definitely not be able to cope with the demands of a Cambridge degree.
I have paraphrased the letter to shorten it, and to give a gist of what they said.
Is this a normal reponse? I must have been really ****e. I was expecting something positive in the letter. Oh well!
Maybe I'm just whinning but I showed it to some of my friends and teachers at school and they said the same, especially considering I am considered to be very strong at French.
Examples of what they wrote.
Michael had very weak AS grades, and we had reservations about calling him for interview. Our reservation were proved correct when he came to interview.
He made a slow and nervous start to his French interview, and demonstrated language skills far below the standard we would expect for an A-Level French.
Michael did not demonstrate any real passion for the subject. His actions were superficial and lacking any substance. We feel he would definitely not be able to cope with the demands of a Cambridge degree.
I have paraphrased the letter to shorten it, and to give a gist of what they said.
Is this a normal reponse? I must have been really ****e. I was expecting something positive in the letter. Oh well!
Scroll to see replies
Don't hate me but your AS levels are poor...It may be that you are 'very strong' at French but had a really bad day, or you may have been judged relative to your immediate surroundings and stil not be of the standard 'we [Cambridge] expect for A Level French'.
Either way, they are not going to lie - they want the best. Whether their idea of the best and that of others is the same, well, that's life.
Either way, they are not going to lie - they want the best. Whether their idea of the best and that of others is the same, well, that's life.
Nope as I chucked in the bin. And to the previous poster, I knew I had no chance of getting in but seriously they could have put something positive or at least nice on it.
I'm not concerned about it just curious too see if this is a standard reply. When you've spend a lot of money to travel and stay in Cambridge, they could say something decent.
I'm probably just moaning, but why bother giving me an interview with ABB, if they knew I had no chance.
I mean being honest is fine, but the letter was bordering on being on rude.
I'm not concerned about it just curious too see if this is a standard reply. When you've spend a lot of money to travel and stay in Cambridge, they could say something decent.
I'm probably just moaning, but why bother giving me an interview with ABB, if they knew I had no chance.
I mean being honest is fine, but the letter was bordering on being on rude.
diamondgeezer
Nope as I chucked in the bin. And to the previous poster, I knew I had no chance of getting in but seriously they could have put something positive or at least nice on it.
I'm not concerned about it just curious too see if this is a standard reply. When you've spend a lot of money to travel and stay in Cambridge, they could say something decent.
I'm probably just moaning, but why bother giving me an interview with ABB, if they knew I had no chance.
I mean being honest is fine, but the letter was bordering on being on rude.
I'm not concerned about it just curious too see if this is a standard reply. When you've spend a lot of money to travel and stay in Cambridge, they could say something decent.
I'm probably just moaning, but why bother giving me an interview with ABB, if they knew I had no chance.
I mean being honest is fine, but the letter was bordering on being on rude.
You asked for honest feedback and you got it. Use it constructively, move on and stop moaning.
Definitely agree that the tone of the letter is unnecessarily obnoxious. ABBB is not "very weak", and even if it was it would not kill them to just say "not very strong". The bit about their "reservations being proved correct" is particularly haughty and completely unnecessary because it doesn't actually give any information, it's just a snide remark.
The second line is acceptable I suppose, but then in the third it just reverts to unconstructive put-downs.
Of course it depends on how accurately you've reproduced the letter, but as you've posted it I find it pretty unacceptable. The criticism is not constructive, and just because one is being honest doesn't mean one has to be rude and demeaning. Just think how pathetic you have to be as an adult university professor to send a letter like that to a 17-18 year old.
The second line is acceptable I suppose, but then in the third it just reverts to unconstructive put-downs.
Of course it depends on how accurately you've reproduced the letter, but as you've posted it I find it pretty unacceptable. The criticism is not constructive, and just because one is being honest doesn't mean one has to be rude and demeaning. Just think how pathetic you have to be as an adult university professor to send a letter like that to a 17-18 year old.
It's is not quoted word for word. I'm quoting as best as I can from my memory. I personally don't think it is constructive. They could have said I think he needs to be wider read etc etc.
Oh they did say at the end we wish him well with his other university applications. I have taken this on the chin and I'm not overly bothered just it seemed a little harsh.
Then again I might have deserved it, as a cross Admissions Office off the address on the envelope and put rejections office. At least I had a laugh at their expense. Looks like they had the last laugh.
I didn't think I stood much chance, but getting an interview rasied my hopes. As it appeared despite my grades, there was something they sort stood out in my application maybe. My friend with 3A's and B didn't even get an interview.
Oh they did say at the end we wish him well with his other university applications. I have taken this on the chin and I'm not overly bothered just it seemed a little harsh.
Then again I might have deserved it, as a cross Admissions Office off the address on the envelope and put rejections office. At least I had a laugh at their expense. Looks like they had the last laugh.
I didn't think I stood much chance, but getting an interview rasied my hopes. As it appeared despite my grades, there was something they sort stood out in my application maybe. My friend with 3A's and B didn't even get an interview.
Well, as we don't know what the letter said exactly we can't really pass judgment on whether it's too harsh or not - your paraphrasing may have been exaggerated a bit due to your interpretation, and I presume the letter was a bit longer than that so didn't sound so blunt. I agree it's not particularly encouraging or constructive, and it probably would have been nicer to have said something positive/neutral - but perhaps they thought you needed a reality check (not that I personally am saying you do, just speculating what the college may have thought!).
Either way, I do think it's good of Cambridge to actually take the time to write a feedback letter at all - most universities just give the generic "too many places/too high a competition/so many fantastic candidates" etc etc which everyone knows is rubbish. At least this way you can see a completely objective assessment of your capabilities (friends/family/teachers are often biased or falsely encouraging) and identify your weaknesses.
Either way, I do think it's good of Cambridge to actually take the time to write a feedback letter at all - most universities just give the generic "too many places/too high a competition/so many fantastic candidates" etc etc which everyone knows is rubbish. At least this way you can see a completely objective assessment of your capabilities (friends/family/teachers are often biased or falsely encouraging) and identify your weaknesses.
I would have thought the feedback letter would contain some good parts and some bad parts. It's mean to focus on all the negative parts, as it would really lower your self esteem. I'm really dreading my letter now!! 
Tbh I think applying for Oxbridge is an exercise in lowering your self-esteem anyway - you get there and realise most of the people around you are smarter than you, you are basically subjected to interrogation in your interviews and then if you do get in I find the tutors often seem to require more of you than can be humanly expected. So if the letter was written as has been told to us here it doesn't surprise me as it's merely an extension of that...
Plus, there's no point being told it's all a bed of roses when it isn't, is there? I wouldn't want to be told something nice just to placate me or to soften the blow if I'd obviously been rejected for a reason.
(Incidentally, when I applied in 2003 for 2004 entry, I was rejected but told by my head of year that my college wasn't sending any feedback since they'd had too many applicants. Personally I think that was a lie and that she had received some and kept it from me as I hear of people receiving feedback so regularly even today - why would the college I applied to have been the exception? I don't really think teachers should hide feedback from students, and if your teacher had done this you would have complained as well.)
Plus, there's no point being told it's all a bed of roses when it isn't, is there? I wouldn't want to be told something nice just to placate me or to soften the blow if I'd obviously been rejected for a reason.
(Incidentally, when I applied in 2003 for 2004 entry, I was rejected but told by my head of year that my college wasn't sending any feedback since they'd had too many applicants. Personally I think that was a lie and that she had received some and kept it from me as I hear of people receiving feedback so regularly even today - why would the college I applied to have been the exception? I don't really think teachers should hide feedback from students, and if your teacher had done this you would have complained as well.)
True. However I thought they were supposed to send constructive criticism not just criticism, which was what the 1st feedback letter seemed to consist of.
diamondgeezer
Just received a feedback letter, which I requested out of interest to see where I could have improved. And oh my word it was harsh. The tone seemed very much like they were up their own arses and written as if they had a superiority complex. It seemed there was no attempt to be diplomatic.
Maybe I'm just whinning but I showed it to some of my friends and teachers at school and they said the same, especially considering I am considered to be very strong at French.
Examples of what they wrote.
Michael had very weak AS grades, and we had reservations about calling him for interview. Our reservation were proved correct when he came to interview.
He made a slow and nervous start to his French interview, and demonstrated language skills far below the standard we would expect for an A-Level French.
Michael did not demonstrate any real passion for the subject. His actions were superficial and lacking any substance. We feel he would definitely not be able to cope with the demands of a Cambridge degree.
I have paraphrased the letter to shorten it, and to give a gist of what they said.
Is this a normal reponse? I must have been really ****e. I was expecting something positive in the letter. Oh well!
Maybe I'm just whinning but I showed it to some of my friends and teachers at school and they said the same, especially considering I am considered to be very strong at French.
Examples of what they wrote.
Michael had very weak AS grades, and we had reservations about calling him for interview. Our reservation were proved correct when he came to interview.
He made a slow and nervous start to his French interview, and demonstrated language skills far below the standard we would expect for an A-Level French.
Michael did not demonstrate any real passion for the subject. His actions were superficial and lacking any substance. We feel he would definitely not be able to cope with the demands of a Cambridge degree.
I have paraphrased the letter to shorten it, and to give a gist of what they said.
Is this a normal reponse? I must have been really ****e. I was expecting something positive in the letter. Oh well!
That is really harsh, I feel for you
However, did you actually expect to get into Cambridge with those grades? I know this sounds rude but, why would you even ask for a feedback letter if you knew your grades were so low?
Don't worry, from what I have seen, Corpus isn't exactly a friendly college.
I'm sure my feedback letter will be even worse.....If that;s any consolation....
Before I say this I should point out I'm generally someone who is considered sympathetic (esp with applicants). Also, I'm really sorry you had a bad experience However, 'rude' would have been some nasty personal comment eg 'diamond geezer is an ignorant twit', or some other. The feedback may have been harsh, but it stuck to the factual. If you want feedback I'm afraid you have to prepare for them to be honest. If they just said 'he gave it a good shot, but it's very competitive etc' you might as well not have feedback.
If I was an admissions tutor I would have sent that letter too, NOT to be cruel but to get the message over to the school that they should not have let the applicant go through it. You have every right to be angry, but it should be with your school. It is their responsibility to oversee your application and they let you down.
However, 'rude' would have been some nasty personal comment eg 'diamond geezer is an ignorant twit', or some other. The feedback may have been harsh, but it stuck to the factual. If you want feedback I'm afraid you have to prepare for them to be honest. If they just said 'he gave it a good shot, but it's very competitive etc' you might as well not have feedback.If I was an admissions tutor I would have sent that letter too, NOT to be cruel but to get the message over to the school that they should not have let the applicant go through it. You have every right to be angry, but it should be with your school. It is their responsibility to oversee your application and they let you down.
I don't think we can make a judgment without the contents of the actual letter being posted. The OP has probably taken it to heart and exaggerated it a bit. Although at the end of the day it is the grades that let you down, you didnt have Cambridge standard grades, so it was rather a long shot. Bear in mind that feedback is sent to the school rather than to the applicant, so it was the school's choiceto show it to you. What bumblebee said is correct IMO.
diamondgeezer
Just received a feedback letter, which I requested out of interest to see where I could have improved. And oh my word it was harsh. The tone seemed very much like they were up their own arses and written as if they had a superiority complex. It seemed there was no attempt to be diplomatic.
Maybe I'm just whinning but I showed it to some of my friends and teachers at school and they said the same, especially considering I am considered to be very strong at French.
Examples of what they wrote.
Michael had very weak AS grades, and we had reservations about calling him for interview. Our reservation were proved correct when he came to interview.
He made a slow and nervous start to his French interview, and demonstrated language skills far below the standard we would expect for an A-Level French.
Michael did not demonstrate any real passion for the subject. His actions were superficial and lacking any substance. We feel he would definitely not be able to cope with the demands of a Cambridge degree.
I have paraphrased the letter to shorten it, and to give a gist of what they said.
Is this a normal reponse? I must have been really ****e. I was expecting something positive in the letter. Oh well!
Maybe I'm just whinning but I showed it to some of my friends and teachers at school and they said the same, especially considering I am considered to be very strong at French.
Examples of what they wrote.
Michael had very weak AS grades, and we had reservations about calling him for interview. Our reservation were proved correct when he came to interview.
He made a slow and nervous start to his French interview, and demonstrated language skills far below the standard we would expect for an A-Level French.
Michael did not demonstrate any real passion for the subject. His actions were superficial and lacking any substance. We feel he would definitely not be able to cope with the demands of a Cambridge degree.
I have paraphrased the letter to shorten it, and to give a gist of what they said.
Is this a normal reponse? I must have been really ****e. I was expecting something positive in the letter. Oh well!
Ok, THAT'S harsh.
But I know personally that to compensate for "lower" grades you do really need to show them that you're dynamite. If you're honest with yourself, did you put in enough effort to read around, be red hot on grammar/linguistics etc. to a Cambridge standard?
But if you're not grossly exaggerating then they were harsh in their feedback, yes. Interviews are evil- and they were trying to give you the benefit of the doubt by asking you to one. But hey, it's over now, and you've got offers to amazing other places... so try and put this behind and excel where ever you decide to go!
Related discussions
- Cambridge MML Application Advice
- written work cambridge
- Modern and Medieval languages at Cambridge
- MML online interviews Cambridge
- Anyone else applying for MML at Clare College for 2025 entry?
- personal statement help (history and mml)
- Cambridge/Oxford University: Studying Abroad
- Cambridge MML college choice
- Cambridge MML admissions test
- Selwyn College Cambridge 2024 offer-holders
- Magdalene Cambridge applicants 2022
- Cambridge MML admissions assessment - question structure
- Interviews at Fitzwilliam
- Trinity MML Portfolio essays
- Insurance University Help?!!
- Trinity College Cambridge 2025 applicants
- Please mark my IGCSE English Language answer
- Can I choose to specialise more in one of my languages in the MML Cambridge degree?
- Student roost york
- Question on standard solutions
Latest
Trending
Last reply 3 hours ago
MPhil Advanced Computer Science Cambridge - 2025 EntryLast reply 4 days ago
2025 Cambridge MPhil Economics/Economic Research/Econ and Finance etc ThreadLast reply 3 weeks ago
Cambridge interview for MPhil in population health sciencesLast reply 1 month ago
Does anyone know what time Cambridge offers come out tomorrowLast reply 1 month ago
How likely am I to be given an offer at Cambridge for Law?
