Cambridge Land Economy Students and Applicants

Hi guys... (and girls),
I came across the Land Economy course at Cambridge, and there doesn't seem to be much on here about it..
It looks like the sort of course I'd like to do (either this or Economics/E+M), however, two questions:
1. Cambridge are the only university to offer Land Economy, so, would I have to adapt my PS to be relevant to whatever I decide to apply for at other universities (currently thinking economics/economics+econometrics). Would this be very difficult?
2. What is competition like for Land Economy.. The website says only 4 applicants per place, less than 8pp for Econ at cam, and 15pp for E+M at ox. I got 3A* 7A at GCSE, predicted 4A at AS and probably A*A*A at A2 (doing Maths, Further Maths, Economics and Music for AS).
Lots of people have told me my GCSEs are probably too low to survive in competition for Economics, so would I be able to give a more competitive offer for Land Economy with those grades?

Thanks for your help in advance!

(p.s. please don't say anything along the lines of 'apply to whatever you're most interested in'.. I am genuinely interested in all three!)

Reply 304

rkascyi

Land Economy, Economics, Economics and Management are three very different courses. Yes, I am sure you are "genuinely interested in all three" since the only thing you seem to care about is getting into Oxbridge. Yes, you would obviously stand a better chance of landing an offer for Land Economy but the course is generally seen as an utter joke by all proper economists at Cambridge.

Reply 305

Original post by rkascyi

Land Economy, Economics, Economics and Management are three very different courses. Yes, I am sure you are "genuinely interested in all three" since the only thing you seem to care about is getting into Oxbridge. Yes, you would obviously stand a better chance of landing an offer for Land Economy but the course is generally seen as an utter joke by all proper economists at Cambridge.

Sorry why bother replying?
Yes, I am aspiring to get into Oxbridge. Who doesn't.. That's where one would get the highest quality teaching, and degree.
But yes, I am interested in all three topics as I am still many months away from beginning the application process.
No need for the harsh tone.

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 306

Original post by joshgoldman

Hi guys... (and girls),
I came across the Land Economy course at Cambridge, and there doesn't seem to be much on here about it..
It looks like the sort of course I'd like to do (either this or Economics/E+M), however, two questions:
1. Cambridge are the only university to offer Land Economy, so, would I have to adapt my PS to be relevant to whatever I decide to apply for at other universities (currently thinking economics/economics+econometrics). Would this be very difficult?
2. What is competition like for Land Economy.. The website says only 4 applicants per place, less than 8pp for Econ at cam, and 15pp for E+M at ox. I got 3A* 7A at GCSE, predicted 4A at AS and probably A*A*A at A2 (doing Maths, Further Maths, Economics and Music for AS).
Lots of people have told me my GCSEs are probably too low to survive in competition for Economics, so would I be able to give a more competitive offer for Land Economy with those grades?

Thanks for your help in advance!

(p.s. please don't say anything along the lines of 'apply to whatever you're most interested in'.. I am genuinely interested in all three!)

Don't listen to that Econ guy above, who basically forgot why Economics became so unnaturally competitive - while some Land Economists may be lazy and weaky, some Economists are just awful careerists interested only in IB, not in Economics - they apply having stellar grades and 'rehearsed' interest in the subject. I don't know what is worse.

OK, Economics is more competitive gradewise but please, Land Economy offer holders have now Further Maths, UMS scores over 95% and a decent number of GSCEs. This year at my preference college there were like 20 applicants for 2 places for LandEc - more than the avarage for Economics.

Believe me, there isn't any difference in interview difficulty. Last year I had the interview for Economics, this year for Land Economy. That one for Econ was very mathsy, but doable, with a typical article from 'The Economist'. When you apply for Land Economy, you can get a normal economics interview with maths involved, a human geography interview, or a law interview (it depends on the college).

My PS was not adapted to Land Economy. I tried to focus it on urban and development economics with a hint of macroeconomics. Cambridge is aware of that PS-adjustment problems and will take it into account, so you can have either economics or law PS - it is your choice.

With 3A* at GSCE you have to nail your interview no matter what course you're applying for. So it is your choice, you may get an offer even for Economics (ye ye, many of them don't even take Further Maths and get offers).

So it is your choice at the end, but don't apply to E&M - Oxford is a bad place to be at and they love their TSA and GSCEs so you may not even get an interview. :colone:

Reply 307

Original post by 6K6

Don't listen to that Econ guy above, who basically forgot why Economics became so unnaturally competitive - while some Land Economists may be lazy and weaky, some Economists are just awful careerists interested only in IB, not in Economics - they apply having stellar grades and 'rehearsed' interest in the subject. I don't know what is worse.

OK, Economics is more competitive gradewise but please, Land Economy offer holders have now Further Maths, UMS scores over 95% and a decent number of GSCEs. This year at my preference college there were like 20 applicants for 2 places for LandEc - more than the avarage for Economics.

Believe me, there isn't any difference in interview difficulty. Last year I had the interview for Economics, this year for Land Economy. That one for Econ was very mathsy, but doable, with a typical article from 'The Economist'. When you apply for Land Economy, you can get a normal economics interview with maths involved, a human geography interview, or a law interview (it depends on the college).

My PS was not adapted to Land Economy. I tried to focus it on urban and development economics with a hint of macroeconomics. Cambridge is aware of that PS-adjustment problems and will take it into account, so you can have either economics or law PS - it is your choice.

With 3A* at GSCE you have to nail your interview no matter what course you're applying for. So it is your choice, you may get an offer even for Economics (ye ye, many of them don't even take Further Maths and get offers).

So it is your choice at the end, but don't apply to E&M - Oxford is a bad place to be at and they love their TSA and GSCEs so you may not even get an interview. :colone:

Thanks very much for your response.. very informative unlike the unhelpful **** above!
I am interested in Law, not AS much interested in the geographical side, however, my main strength definitely lies in the Economics/maths side. Do you know which colleges' interview focuses on this aspect?

Thanks.

Reply 308

Original post by joshgoldman

Thanks very much for your response.. very informative unlike the unhelpful **** above!
I am interested in Law, not AS much interested in the geographical side, however, my main strength definitely lies in the Economics/maths side. Do you know which colleges' interview focuses on this aspect?

Thanks.

Check out college websites, then subject information for LandEc and check who is a DoS. Then google them for their academic profile on the Land Economy department's webpage. You will get either a lawyer or an economist or a town/country planner. That mathsy economics interview can be expected at Downing, Trinity, Christ's, Girton. But if you're really strong at maths go for Economics, you can always reapply at the end.
Law interviews are for sure at Selwyn, Sidney Sussex, Queens' (Queens' can be more planningy).
Expect descriptive economics without maths with a hint of law at Pembroke - I applied there and enjoyed their interview a lot, a lot more than that mathsy economics interview I had last year.

Reply 309

Original post by 6K6

Check out college websites, then subject information for LandEc and check who is a DoS. Then google them for their academic profile on the Land Economy department's webpage. You will get either a lawyer or an economist or a town/country planner. That mathsy economics interview can be expected at Downing, Trinity, Christ's, Girton. But if you're really strong at maths go for Economics, you can always reapply at the end.
Law interviews are for sure at Selwyn, Sidney Sussex, Queens' (Queens' can be more planningy).
Expect descriptive economics without maths with a hint of law at Pembroke - I applied there and enjoyed their interview a lot, a lot more than that mathsy economics interview I had last year.

Thanks very much for your help.
I like the look of Downing..
Two things, what is a 'DoS', and when you say reapply, do you mean the next year?

Again, thank you.

Reply 310

Original post by joshgoldman

Thanks very much for your help.
I like the look of Downing..
Two things, what is a 'DoS', and when you say reapply, do you mean the next year?

Again, thank you.

DoS is the Director of Studies - a guy or a lady who will 'care about you academically' whatever it means, book supervisions for you, and look after your academic progress or something like that. The DoS will interview you and then make a decision whether to reject you or to give you an offer. Simples.

I assume you are now doing your ASes, so if you get rejected next year, you can always reapply after A-Level results. I think if you are really into Economics you can try it, it should be easier to get in when the fees are higher. And if you feel after your interview that you are not really into that kind of thing (and then get rejected), you can reapply for Land Economy for 2013 entry. I applied for pure Economics last year, thinking that it is really my thing and destiny. Then, I was given a precious article about banking/finance at my interview, and even my mathematics question was very 'corporate'. I am neither a prospective investment banker nor the governor of an international corporation. This year I decided to apply for Land Economy to be free of banking, finance, corporation, big career in the City, internships at Goldman Sachs, etc. As far as I know some colleges ask 'normal' economics questions, so I may have had just a bad luck but I was still too disgusted to reapply for Economics after that experience.

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 311

Original post by 6K6

DoS is the Director of Studies - a guy or a lady who will 'care about you academically' whatever it means, book supervisions for you, and look after your academic progress or something like that. The DoS will interview you and then make a decision whether to reject you or to give you an offer. Simples.

I assume you are now doing your ASes, so if you get rejected next year, you can always reapply after A-Level results. I think if you are really into Economics you can try it, it should be easier to get in when the fees are higher. And if you feel after your interview that you are not really into that kind of thing (and then get rejected), you can reapply for Land Economy for 2013 entry. I applied for pure Economics last year, thinking that it is really my thing and destiny. Then, I was given a precious article about banking/finance at my interview, and even my mathematics question was very 'corporate'. I am neither a prospective investment banker nor the governor of an international corporation. This year I decided to apply for Land Economy to be free of banking, finance, corporation, big career in the City, internships at Goldman Sachs, etc. As far as I know some colleges ask 'normal' economics questions, so I may have had just a bad luck but I was still too disgusted to reapply for Economics after that experience.

Ah ok, I think the main worry of mine is how competitive straight Economics is..
I only got 3A* 7A in GCSE, and even though im predicted 4A this year (AS) in Maths, Further maths, Economics, Music, and will probably get 3A* or A*A*A next year, I'm worried the GCSEs will come back to haunt me!
I do actually think straight Economics is more for me, and maybe I'll just have to have a really good look into which interview will suit me the most.. (By the looks of things, its Downing).

Thanks very much for your help.

Reply 312

Original post by joshgoldman

Ah ok, I think the main worry of mine is how competitive straight Economics is..
I only got 3A* 7A in GCSE, and even though im predicted 4A this year (AS) in Maths, Further maths, Economics, Music, and will probably get 3A* or A*A*A next year, I'm worried the GCSEs will come back to haunt me!
I do actually think straight Economics is more for me, and maybe I'll just have to have a really good look into which interview will suit me the most.. (By the looks of things, its Downing).

Thanks very much for your help.

For pure Economics you will never know what you will get at the interview. They have a large number of applicants so they have set questions and articles, you can't really look up your interviewers' subject interests because you don't know who will interview you at the end. That trick only works with Land Economy :>.

Do you have any extenuating circumstances for your GSCEs? If yes, you can try Special Access Scheme so that they won't care much about only 3A*. You can look it up on Cambridge's website.

Btw, for me Pembroke and Peterhouse beat them all when it comes to the beauty :>.

Reply 313

Original post by 6K6

For pure Economics you will never know what you will get at the interview. They have a large number of applicants so they have set questions and articles, you can't really look up your interviewers' subject interests because you don't know who will interview you at the end. That trick only works with Land Economy :>.

Do you have any extenuating circumstances for your GSCEs? If yes, you can try Special Access Scheme so that they won't care much about only 3A*. You can look it up on Cambridge's website.

Btw, for me Pembroke and Peterhouse beat them all when it comes to the beauty :>.

Well, I go to a moderately good state school, where I am definitely in the top 10 students in the year (academically speaking)..
I hear some people use parental divorce as an excuse.. well, mine had a pretty messy break up during my GCSEs but I dont really feel like it affected me so couldn't really use that as an excuse.
I think my problem in GCSEs was that I really cant motivate myself to work extensively in areas that I have no intrest in.. For example, I got 100% in GCSE Maths, as I enjoy the subject and enjoyed working for it.. so it was really motivational issues :colondollar:

EDIT: Sorry didn't really clarify, an Economics based interview would be fine - I'm confident in that area.. I meant if I was to apply for Land Economy I'd want the maths interview as I have little knowledge in the other areas..

Reply 314

Original post by joshgoldman

Well, I go to a moderately good state school, where I am definitely in the top 10 students in the year (academically speaking)..
I hear some people use parental divorce as an excuse.. well, mine had a pretty messy break up during my GCSEs but I dont really feel like it affected me so couldn't really use that as an excuse.
I think my problem in GCSEs was that I really cant motivate myself to work extensively in areas that I have no intrest in.. For example, I got 100% in GCSE Maths, as I enjoy the subject and enjoyed working for it.. so it was really motivational issues :colondollar:

EDIT: Sorry didn't really clarify, an Economics based interview would be fine - I'm confident in that area.. I meant if I was to apply for Land Economy I'd want the maths interview as I have little knowledge in the other areas..

I thought you had said you're going to apply for straight Economics :biggrin:

. That pure maths interview may be difficult to find for Land Economy, you won't even get it when applying for Economics, so you will have to be pretty confident with A-Level Economics specification. Downing should be OK for you, you can ask the_13th about his/her interviews at Downing, I've seen he/she was interviewed there.

Reply 315

Isabell

Original post by 6K6

Check out college websites, then subject information for LandEc and check who is a DoS. Then google them for their academic profile on the Land Economy department's webpage. You will get either a lawyer or an economist or a town/country planner. That mathsy economics interview can be expected at Downing, Trinity, Christ's, Girton. But if you're really strong at maths go for Economics, you can always reapply at the end.
Law interviews are for sure at Selwyn, Sidney Sussex, Queens' (Queens' can be more planningy).
Expect descriptive economics without maths with a hint of law at Pembroke - I applied there and enjoyed their interview a lot, a lot more than that mathsy economics interview I had last year.

Hey

I'd like to ask if they ask about human geography during interview at Pembroke? :smile:

I'm really interested in it so I would be glad if they do :biggrin:

Reply 316

alix.alicis

7

Original post by joshgoldman

Hi guys... (and girls),
I came across the Land Economy course at Cambridge, and there doesn't seem to be much on here about it..
It looks like the sort of course I'd like to do (either this or Economics/E+M), however, two questions:
1. Cambridge are the only university to offer Land Economy, so, would I have to adapt my PS to be relevant to whatever I decide to apply for at other universities (currently thinking economics/economics+econometrics). Would this be very difficult?
2. What is competition like for Land Economy.. The website says only 4 applicants per place, less than 8pp for Econ at cam, and 15pp for E+M at ox. I got 3A* 7A at GCSE, predicted 4A at AS and probably A*A*A at A2 (doing Maths, Further Maths, Economics and Music for AS).
Lots of people have told me my GCSEs are probably too low to survive in competition for Economics, so would I be able to give a more competitive offer for Land Economy with those grades?

Thanks for your help in advance!

(p.s. please don't say anything along the lines of 'apply to whatever you're most interested in'.. I am genuinely interested in all three!)

hey, i'm currently a landec at trinity. first of all, in terms of content you do what economics people do and what law people do, and you use the same textbooks. however, the difference with economics is that they do more maths (even if we also have maths) and with law is that you read fewer cases, but you still have enough. the geography side is not dominant at all, you do a bit, but seriously nothing to worry about. what is good is that you do accounting (which i don't think straight economists do) and you focus on property rights and real estate, which eventually leads you to finance. it's a really good course and you can really tailor it to your interests. plus, it leaves many more options open than economics. you can choose to go into IB if you want (many landecs do), management/consulting or even law, because you take all the main papers lawyers take, and it's enough to do a couple of extra exams (an extra year) and you are as qualified as a lawyer. however, being a landec, you also have skills in planning, development economics and regional economics, which are extremely useful today and looked for. also, you are automatically recognised as a chartered surveyor. so, seriously, i have no idea what economists are on about. it is true that they do more maths, but the economics modules we do are as good as theirs.
and in my interview i got asked about pretty much everything, ranging from pure economics, to philosophy and current affairs (it was the period when there was the copenhagen conference about climate change).
i applied to trinity and got an offer from them. there were 10 applicants and only 2 got an offer. in the year above me noone got in (out of pretty much the same amount of applicants) and for the 2011 cycle only one got an offer.
do apply for landec, it's an excellent course with excellent prospects. and it's more practical/businessy than economics.
good luck whatever you do!

Reply 317

Original post by Isabell

Hey

I'd like to ask if they ask about human geography during interview at Pembroke? :smile:

I'm really interested in it so I would be glad if they do :biggrin:

They asked me to write two essays in November, so I did one on urbanization - about a quarter of my subject interview was about that essay, they grilled everyone over that rural-urban transformation thing so that was that bit of geography. You will also get a question or two on environment and public law.
Reading any book on Urban Economics is the most useful kind of preparation you can get for more economics-based interviews. I had read a 700-pager for that (of course leaving difficult economic-modelling chapters), and there was like pretty much everything you should know before your interview :>.

Original post by alix.alicis

hey, i'm currently a landec at trinity.

See u in October (provided I get that A* in Further Maths) not only at the department but also at Trinity (I have a crazy friend at Trinity and I have probably seen u on one of his crazy-party-everyone's-drunk-especially-me photos on facebook :>).

Reply 318

Isabell

Original post by 6K6

They asked me to write two essays in November, so I did one on urbanization - about a quarter of my subject interview was about that essay, they grilled everyone over that rural-urban transformation thing so that was that bit of geography. You will also get a question or two on environment and public law.
Reading any book on Urban Economics is the most useful kind of preparation you can get for more economics-based interviews. I had read a 700-pager for that (of course leaving difficult economic-modelling chapters), and there was like pretty much everything you should know before your interview :>.

See u in October (provided I get that A* in Further Maths) not only at the department but also at Trinity (I have a crazy friend at Trinity and I have probably seen u on one of his crazy-party-everyone's-drunk-especially-me photos on facebook :>).

Thank you for the answer. :smile:

I'm thinking about applying to read Land Economy at Pembroke that is why your answer really helped me ;]
I cross my fingers for you and hope you'll get in! :smile:

Reply 319