Cambridge University: Ask a current student!

Hello all! So user 04MR17 suggested that current students at various universities create a thread inviting questions, and since the only one in the Cambridge forum was specific to maths, I decided to open a more general thread.

I'm an MML student at the end of my second year at Selwyn, so I'm also happy to field more specific questions about those subjects, but feel free to ask away about any aspect of studying at Cambridge that takes your fancy!

Also, if you'd rather ask me privately, don't hesitate to send me a PM and I'll get back to you as soon as I can - I'm not on this site with great regularity, but I'll get there.

Why is it called Modern and Medieval Languages when you don't actually study medieval languages? Old Norse and Russian would be a great combo!

I'm kind of wondering more generally what it is about Cambridge that you really love? On social media and stuff it seems like people have nothing bad to say about it! Is there anything that isn't what you expected it to be???

I love the level of intellectual engagement there... in fact, the level of engagement in everything. There are always conversations and debates to be had with friends (about current affairs, literature, linguistics, all sorts really). Also, there are always things going on, whether that's talks (I saw Mary Beard interviewed by an Oxford Professor of Global History, as well as a great talk by playwright Michael Frayn this year, for example), theatre, music, sports. Most people get involved with at least something, and more often several things, alongside their degree.

Also, in terms of value for money and quality of teaching, I'm sure what I get is better than what might be offered at some universities - and this is particularly noticeable in the humanities, I think. The small group size of supervisions (1-3 students per academic) is a great way to learn, as you just can't hide behind other people, so you're forced to engage and learn. Your essay will get a good amount of individual attention.

Finally, I've found the college system to be fantastic. Cambridge is a fairly large university, but divided into smaller communities, and so you really do get to know a lot of the people in your college, and so engage beyond your course more easily. That isn't to say you only know the people in your college, of course - I have a lot of friends from my course and my extracurriculars - but often it's the core of your friendship group. It's a supportive atmosphere, and each college has its own support mechanisms in place in the form of your personal tutor (pastoral support), director of studies (academic support) and JCR (undergraduate) representatives.

Obviously, though, it isn't all sunshine and roses, and anyone who claims otherwise is kidding themselves. With a heavy workload and extensive academic commitments, often Cambridge can be quite a high-pressure environment, and that leads to stress. It can even cause and exacerbate mental health problems, something also brought on by the sense of impostor's syndrome borne of being surrounded by clever people. Everyone in Cambridge, at some time or another, has feelings of inadequacy, or that they might not belong. With a supportive friendship group, this can obviously be overcome, but it bears mentioning. Also, the different colleges can vary in their support and philosophy toward student wellbeing, with some senior tutors and directors of study reportedly having... unhelpful views about aspects like mental health support, for example.

Cambridge is an expensive city, too. The colleges provide accommodation throughout an undergraduate degree, so you often only pay that during term time, but it's much more expensive than, say, Newcastle or Sheffield. This is offset by transport costs, though - there aren't many, for most students just the cost of maintaining a bike. It's a very liveable city. There is also sometimes a vague sense of elitism, inevitable perhaps, but still unwelcome; Cambridge has had and does have problems with access from lower socio-economic backgrounds, and whilst this is changing, there's still a long way to go.

None of this should put you off, however; Cambridge is a great place to study, second to none in some fields. Consider carefully if the course suits you, as you would with any other university - it isn't worth choosing Cambridge by default just because of what it is - but if it does, I would absolutely encourage you to go to an open day and then apply. Just don't expect it to be perfect.

wow, thankyou so much for your amazing response, and for being so honest! It's been so hard to find anyone who will talk really candidly about what it's like there. Just out of curiosity when you say Cambridge has problems with access from lower socio-economic backgrounds, do you think that's because of the vaguely elitist culture there? Or do you think it's just a product of our society that it's rooted in?

wow, thankyou so much for your amazing response, and for being so honest! It's been so hard to find anyone who will talk really candidly about what it's like there. Just out of curiosity when you say Cambridge has problems with access from lower socio-economic backgrounds, do you think that's because of the vaguely elitist culture there? Or do you think it's just a product of our society that it's rooted in?

One of the biggest issues in terms of access comes down to pre-university. If a student doesn't get the grades because of their school, is one. Schools being misinformed and not encouraging or being able to support an application well, or not responding to or willing to engage with the University when it reaches out. Students seeing statistics and the media coverage and being put off applying at all - if you don't apply, you can't get in. This last one in particular is an issue. There is SO much outreach and widening participation work being done across the university, from school visits, to residentials summer schools, taster days, teacher briefings... Tons. There is always more to do, of course, and always more being done.

If you are from an underrepresented background, there is a place for you at Canbridge. Absolutely so. And there are so many different groups working to help create those networks and bases of support for similar students. Such examples are FLY (women and nb people of colour), the Afro-Caribbean society, Islamic society, and one that I've been involved in called Class Act, to represent those who identify with one or more of being working class, low income, first generation, state comprehensive educated, or a care leaver/estranged student. If people get scared off and don't apply, things will never change, but it going to take a lot of work to change the wider perceptions of the university in society because of how engrained it is as an institution.

We've got quite the little community of Cambridge MML students on here from various stages of their studies now...

Probably a bit of a self depreciating question and I’ll ask as I’m in the throes of pre-results day nerves, but do you know anyone who was still accepted after a ‘near miss’ of their grades?

Thanks!

Probably a bit of a self depreciating question and I’ll ask as I’m in the throes of pre-results day nerves, but do you know anyone who was still accepted after a ‘near miss’ of their grades?

Thanks!

I do indeed, yes, and as Doonesbury points out, there is an entire 'summer pool' period to deal with just that eventuality!

Basically, the college who accepted you will have first dibs over your application. Often, assuming we're talking about one grade off, they'll just accept you anyway, it'll show on UCAS and that will be that. Most colleges in most subjects, I believe, give a ratio of offers to available places that is pretty much 1:1, so as long as the result doesn't cause doubt over your suitability (like being predicted A*A*A and getting BCC might) they'll want you anyway.

Otherwise, your application will be put into a second round of pooling, and colleges without as high an uptake as they predicted in your subject can fish you out. A friend of mine went through this exact process, with the result that she has a choral scholarship from one college while attending another! It's not uncommon, so don't worry: even if things don't go as well as hoped, your application can still survive it. Good luck for the 16th!

Thanks for your detailed response! Is a bit reassuring, hopefully it goes well anyway!

Is this through the financial assistance schemes you guys mentioned earlier? Or are they doing other things too? That's always been my perception of Cambridge. Pretty elitist I guess...but you think that's shifting to become more inclusive?