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The Big 'Which Cambridge College?' Thread

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I have just started sixth form and was looking at applying for maths at cambridge but wasn't sure which college to apply for. Ideally I would like a reasonably small college near the centre of town;i am considering emmanuel. Which colleges are the best for maths? I know that the lectures would be the same for everyone but aren't you given tutorials within the college itself?

Also do think I stand a chance (I know everyone asks this!)?
I got 10 a* at GCSE and I only did ten. I also took my c1 paper early and got 100/100 UMS. I am taking latin, further maths, maths, physics, critical thinking and chemistry for a-level and hope to carry them all onto A2.

I was also worried about STEP papers. I have always done very well at UKMT maths challenges but these papers seem very difficult. What happens if you get the required A-levels but not the STEp grade needed from a conditional offer?

Reply 1021

TheOtherZoe

supa360

Between Clare and St. Johns.

I'm looking for natural science.
I'm looking for equal male/female ratio.
I'm looking for gothic architecture
I'm looking for nice gardens.
and I''m looking for great social life.

any ideas?

thanks

To continue spamming the Cambridge threads with relatively useless information... :p:

For architecture and gardens, the immediately appealling option would probably be Johns, which is so massive it has just about everything hidden inside...

However, I know about a million Clare NatScis, and they are some of the greatest people I know (I'm sure I could put you in touch if you wanted to ask them anything). I think the male/female ratio is more equal than many colleges...oh, according the website there are slightly more girls, but meh, better than my college :smile:

Clare has arguably the coolest bar in the 'bridge, in the cellars with the world's comfiest sofas. They do pretty good bops too, although I got ticked off for casually using the word "rave" once, ahem. The Buttery is fairly decent too, and the place generally has a reputation for being very sociable and friendly.

If that's not helpful, I at least hope it's legible.

Lots of love from a Trinitarian (Biased against Johns? Wot? Nooooo! :p:

)

Reply 1022

timotiis

Slumpy

Although I think they'd look more kindly on a slipped A level rather than STEP, however they can see STEP, so if it's just silly mistakes, maybe they'd look more kindly there.(Saying that, I know a few people who didn't get their STEP grades but are in).

I'm one.

To the OP.

All the colleges are pretty much equal -- there really isn't much between them in any direction. Pick based on location, or quality of food, or niceness of architecture*. Then visit, and see if you like it. That step is essential, and I recommend you do it before applying. If you dislike the college you tried, go visit another one, or maybe Cambridge isn't for you, so visit other universities as well.

If you get pooled and picked up by another, go visit the college which picks you up, and see if you like it there. You'll be living there for three or four years, so it's essential you'll be comfortable and like the place.

The admissions process is not appreciably tougher at any particular college. The quality of the education you get is not appreciably different. Your chance of getting in to Cambridge is not appreciably affected. So pick the one you feel you will be most comfortable living at while you study.

*or any other good criteria -- see the wiki page about this. Or just ask your dad "Hey, I'm applying to Cambridge, which college should I go for?".

Reply 1023

Slumpy

timotiis

I'm one.

Yeah, I say I imagine they're more lenient with A levels, but I don't believe I've ever met anyone who missed their A level offer. I put that down to A levels being pretty easy comparatively, but it could be they're just harsh with it...

Reply 1024

Xei

How can you possibly ask if your grades are okay..?? Come on, of course they are, you've got the maximum marks possible.

Just try some STEP papers (some of the question 1s will be at your level, although most require C1 - C4). There's loads of old ones online:

http://www.admissionstests.cambridgeassessment.org.uk/adt/step/Test+Preparation

I did a UKMT once and got a silver... you can get very good at STEP if you do lots of work.

Colleges are pretty much as good as each other, the only reason some perform better is that they are more selective. Trinity has the best reputation but it's challenging to get into and you could get pooled to a poorer college... as long as the college is in the top 15 or so on the Tompkins Table, just go look round and see which one you prefer. Emma's pretty big.

Reply 1025

sonofdot

If you've just started year 12, there's no need to start panicking about the application process yet. The most important thing now is to keep an interest in maths going outside classes - maybe have a look at getting some books or something.

There's certainly no need to worry about STEP - I basically didn't look at STEP until the start of year 13, and I did well enough to exceed my offer.

So basically, relax! There's plenty of time, no need to panic yet! :smile:

Reply 1026

Zzaach

Hello,

I'm reapplying to Cambridge for PPS. I had applied to King's last year, got pooled and... failed. :frown:

I'm currently at "Sciences Po" in Paris (I'm french...) and I'm once again stuck on college choice.

Hesitating between King's & St John's. I absolutely fell in love with King's last time round, but I have this irrational fear that I'll get pooled again... and St John's looks nice too.

I'm looking for:
-Central location
-Gothic Architecture
-Vivid politics/debates etc
-Academic enthusiasm & idea-pooling
-Good "nightlife" spirit
-Large college
-Social & International diversity
-Good bursaries would be a plus

I'm mostly torn between King's & St John's, but feel free to suggest anything!

Reply 1027

around

If you really want a taste of the experience I'd suggest maybe having a look into taking STEP I at the end of year 12 if you've covered C1-4. I think Siklos disapproves of taking STEP before you're ready, but (personally speaking) having an idea of what STEP questions were like gave me a massive leg up when it came to taking the exams for real.

Reply 1028

jenna109

mfb3000

Catz as well - 2nd years live almost idrectly opposite Sidgwick.

Also it's good to see a sensible question rather than 'are my grades good enough'.

Yea my grades are good enough I believe. I just need to pass the interview...damn.

Catz is one of my top choices. Lol is the food there good?

Reply 1029

lavalse

Zzaach

Hello,

I'm reapplying to Cambridge for PPS. I had applied to King's last year, got pooled and... failed. :frown:

Dont apply to Kings again! Even the university recommend you dont do this.

I think that St John's seems to match all of your requirements. The atmosphere there is a lot different to Kings though, with it being more traditional and very stuffy imo. I know people at Johns and they all like it, despite the college stuffiness there is definitely a diverse undergrad body.

Reply 1030

qgujxj39

Don't you have another year to think about this if you've just started sixth form? Why do you need to decide now?

dpkapyla

Ideally I would like a reasonably small college near the centre of town

This was probably my main criterion, and I'm applying to Sidney Sussex.

Reply 1031

mfb3000

It's ok - not brilliant but also could be worse. The one thing that annoys me is that we have brunch on Sundays but not Saturdays as well - I might try and push for that but it takes forever to get anything through college.

Reply 1032

avernew

Hi,
I'm going to apply to read English.

I really like St. John's, but almost everywhere I've looked it says that St. John's is rather posh. Is this true? And why would people rather be at Oxford than St. John's?

Reply 1033

jazzyyazzy6

Lol a nice way to put it, but thank you very much. I'm not worried because i'm a weaker candidate, but I don't want to make it even harder for myself. but then again, I was just talkin to my friend and he got into a college on pools that has more people applying to it than the one he orginally went for. I'm weighing it up, and my fave college is about middle for stats, so I'm not going crazy and against ten people, but I'm not doing it for the statistics, but because its truly where I want to spend five years of my life. Thank you again! xx

That's exactly how I decided on it. Glad to be of help xxx

Reply 1034

Rob16

Hey guys.

I was wondering if any of you knew which college id be best applying for at cambride (medicine) Basically i will only have chemistry to AS :eek:

I know not good, but they say its "strongly prefered" so it is possible even if near impossible :smile:

Yeah so basically wondered if any of you know which one id have the best chance with, i know which ones to avoid completely though... But any input much appreciated! Did a quick google search just now and didnt find much so thought who better to ask thatn you guys :yep:

Will have:
Biology, Economics, Maths, English Language to A2 and Chemistry to AS

Cheers. N sorry if the post seems really rushed because it was :tongue:

Reply 1035

zedliv

I think that you should send emails to admissions people. I'm pretty sure that you HAVE to have chemistry to A2 as part of your offer, but check that in the prospectus etc.

Reply 1036

Sambo2

deos that mean your AS chemistry grade was not an A? - if so that will cause you big problems anywhere..

Reply 1037

Tsukuyomi

im sure you need A2 chemistry, of course all at grade A or A*

Reply 1038

ninanguyen

Hi,
I would like to go for Econ at either Emma or Newnham.
I would prefer a college near the center+good library+good for econ+cheap.
Can anybody suggest which one to choose?
Thanks.

Reply 1039

Tempeststurm

ninanguyen

Hi,
I would like to go for Econ at either Emma or Newnham.
I would prefer a college near the center+good library+good for econ+cheap.
Can anybody suggest which one to choose?
Thanks.

Emma is nearer to the center, but Newnham isn't that far. The biggest difference between the two is whether you want an all girls college.

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