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The Big 'Which Cambridge College?' Thread

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Original post by Miyata
I am also thinking about applying to St John's for Computer Science, still considering few others which I have shortlisted. I was just wondering, it says besides TSA at St. John's there will also be "Problem solving at interview", but that's not a test is it? Its just some maths/computer science questions, which still are asked in most of the colleges, isn't it?


I would have thought all maths and science interviews included problem solving. My Economics one did. A test with an interviewer as opposed to alone.


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Reply 3621
Avatar for jack.p
jack.p
Basically, I have to pick my Cambridge college - preferably by the end of sunday night! -and I'm not sure which to go for.

I'm applying for economics, so it's gonna be sooo competitive anywhere. But my average UMS is about 98-99% so I reckon if I apply to a college that really loves UMS I have a better chance.

I chose trinity originally, but then realised its so academic that I'd have no life and I'm a pretty social person so that wouldn't be good.

I don't like Churchill btw even though they bum UMS.

Any help asap would be appreciated greatly! :biggrin:

(The ones im interested in are generally Caius, St Johns, Pembroke, St Cats, Emmanuel, poss Clare, and trinity)
(edited 11 years ago)
Just apply to the college you like most, not the one that you think you have a higher chance of getting into.
^^ that. It's surely more important that you go somewhere where you're going to be able to have a half-decent time, rather than just playing the system to get in at all. And with UMSs that high, unless your extra-curricular stuff consists entirely of burning kittens, I think most colleges would at least interview you...
Trinity and Pembroke, I've heard like high UMS, but it's hard to find "proper evidence" for these things.
(edited 11 years ago)
Reply 3625
Avatar for jack.p
jack.p
Thanks guys, yeah if I knew which I'd like I would go straight for it! But I've been put off by rumours e.g. Trinity's bias for private schooled pupils and aggressive interviews :-/

I'm not that bothered about the college since those I've short-listed are all so nice, hence why I'm asking about UMS, but yeah I understand that these things aren't set in stone too.

Do you know how much emphasis is placed on the TSA? Ideally I wouldn't like to sit it, but many colleges do it. Also is it true all Trinity care about is academics and that as an undergraduate you're not encouraged to take part in ECs....thats worrying
Pembroke love UMS
Original post by Miyata
I am also thinking about applying to St John's for Computer Science, still considering few others which I have shortlisted. I was just wondering, it says besides TSA at St. John's there will also be "Problem solving at interview", but that's not a test is it? Its just some maths/computer science questions, which still are asked in most of the colleges, isn't it?


I think they may just be spelling it out (in case anyone thought it was a character interview or like a job-interview)

You could always enquire to check, as I don't actually know if they have a separate test. However if they have the TSA it's unlikely - most colleges with different tests have them instead of the TSA, not in addition to.
Reply 3628
Avatar for jack.p
jack.p
Pembroke is pretty nice, stupid written test though
Original post by mathsymathsy
but so we only spend our social time with the people in the same college?


Not only no - other sources include your subject and societies, but for most people the college is the primary source ,yes.
Someone mentioned to me that it might be a good idea to choose a college based upon the fact that I have similar interests with Fellows at the college?

As I am applying for Land Economy, it would make sense for me if this was the case to pick a college whose Fellow's background was in Economics, as i don't have a background in Law or Geography.

Saying that, for instance at Clare, he is interested in town planning- something they surely woudn't expect anyone to have a background in?


In short, would I be at a disadvantage by applying to a college where I have no background in the Fellow's particular area of research?


Thanks!
Normally they say you shouldn't base your college choice on the areas certain fellows specialise in. However, specfically for Land Economy I can recall reading somewhere that it is indeed reasonable to take this into account, as the differences between Geography, Economics and Law can obvisouly be greater than those between certain areas of one subject, which may well affect the interview questions that are asked.
I don't think someone would question you in depth on their specialty, though, so if you like Clare, go for it. You should perhaps consider colleges where the DoS for LandEc is an economist, but take into account other factors as well. (I should note that I'm not a Land Economist, though, so I base my opinion only on what I've read/heard.)

Good luck! :smile:
Original post by TheHaylio
Someone mentioned to me that it might be a good idea to choose a college based upon the fact that I have similar interests with Fellows at the college?

As I am applying for Land Economy, it would make sense for me if this was the case to pick a college whose Fellow's background was in Economics, as i don't have a background in Law or Geography.

Saying that, for instance at Clare, he is interested in town planning- something they surely woudn't expect anyone to have a background in?


In short, would I be at a disadvantage by applying to a college where I have no background in the Fellow's particular area of research?


Thanks!


it wouldn't give an unofficial advantage, but you'd probably do well in interview if you had similar interests.

on the flipside, they'll punish you a lot more if you go wrong :tongue:
Reply 3633
Avatar for derbyg
derbyg
Hello :smile:

I'm looking to apply Psychological and Behavioural Sciences for 2013 entry but I'm having a really hard time narrowing down which college to apply to.

So far I've managed to narrow it down 6 which are Clare, Corpus Christi, Homerton, Queens', St Catharine's and Sidney Sussex.

I was wondering if you could give me any advice in how to narrow it down more or which college would be better to apply for or anything like that? I love them all from looking at the websites and if I had to narrow it down further I would say I probably prefer Sidney Sussex, Queens' and St Catherine's but it's so hard to choose!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you :smile:
Reply 3634
Avatar for elin89
elin89
6
Original post by derbyg
Hello :smile:

I'm looking to apply Psychological and Behavioural Sciences for 2013 entry but I'm having a really hard time narrowing down which college to apply to.

So far I've managed to narrow it down 6 which are Clare, Corpus Christi, Homerton, Queens', St Catharine's and Sidney Sussex.

I was wondering if you could give me any advice in how to narrow it down more or which college would be better to apply for or anything like that? I love them all from looking at the websites and if I had to narrow it down further I would say I probably prefer Sidney Sussex, Queens' and St Catherine's but it's so hard to choose!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you :smile:


Heya

I think most of your list is exactly the same as mine when I applied, except Homerton. Have a look on a map and make sure you realise that it is quite far away from the centre (near the station). Not necessary the worst thing in the world but be aware!

Are you able to get to Cambridge? What I did was to email the admissions department of my shortlist colleges and say that I was coming up and ask whether I could have a look around. You can just go and have a look anyway but a couple had people show me round and personally that made a really good impression! Even just going for a day and wandering round should give you a feel for the colleges (even in any that charge tourists you should be able to say that you're a prospective student and they will let you in).

Personally I'm biased towards my college (Sidney Sussex) and will always say that it is the best college in Cambridge - it's incredibly friendly, down-to-earth, has beautiful gardens tucked away in the grounds and is really central (opposite Sainsburys) but yet quiet and off the tourist trail (as no-one has really heard of us). Plus Oliver Cromwell's head is under our chapel and part of the crest is an electric blue porcupine.... whats not to like!!
Original post by derbyg
Hello :smile:

I'm looking to apply Psychological and Behavioural Sciences for 2013 entry but I'm having a really hard time narrowing down which college to apply to.

So far I've managed to narrow it down 6 which are Clare, Corpus Christi, Homerton, Queens', St Catharine's and Sidney Sussex.

I was wondering if you could give me any advice in how to narrow it down more or which college would be better to apply for or anything like that? I love them all from looking at the websites and if I had to narrow it down further I would say I probably prefer Sidney Sussex, Queens' and St Catherine's but it's so hard to choose!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you :smile:


Have you visited? Just go there (quickly, not much time :tongue:) and stroll around. You'll find the right one very quickly.

Also, don't be too obsessed on the choice - plenty of people get pooled to different colleges, and loads of people make open applications too.
Thanks for your help- Ive gone ahead and applied for Clare as i love the look of it! Fingers crossed!
My UMS weren't fantastic, and I start at Pembroke in a week...
Trinity isn't weirdly academic and people there definitely have lives. Most DoSes would prefer that their students only worked and didn't do loads of ECs but noone is going to stop you from doing what you want to do at any college (unless you fail obviously). You seem to be imagining that there is far more difference between college atmospheres than there actually is.
What do you think is the college with the best accommodation for first, second, and third year students at Cambridge?

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