Official Cambridge 2022 Applicants Thread

Hi!

1) English literature, religious studies and politics
2) Theology religion and philosophy of religion
3) don’t want to share those at the moment (but of a sore subject lol)
4) I prefer the course
5) I’ll have one at interview, I’ve been practicing watching lectures and making notes on them
6) watched online lectures
7) I have no clue yet 😂
8) probably Pembroke

I forgot to mention that I’m independently studying philosophy a level as well, because I thought it looked interesting!

Even though we're only about to start Year 12, it wouldn't be so much of a bad idea to have a declaration of intent, to come back to every once in a while, or to stake out your competition, anything that can motivate you to be the best applicant possible.

Cambridge isn't the be-all and end-all of things but being aspirational doesn't hurt!

I'll try to update the thread with information & advice, as I'm a stickler for info.

Shamelessly lifted (slightly) from @New Wonder and @tash299792's threads, please reply to this thread introducing yourself:
(Don't worry if you haven't done a lot, this is a year in advance don't forget!)

1) What A Levels are you taking from September (or other eligible qualifications)?
2) What course at Cambridge do you have your eyes on? And why?
3) What grades did you get at GCSE? Are you retaking any?
4) Why Cambridge specifically? and why not Oxford?
5) Which admissions tests do you have to sit, and when will you start preparing for them?
6) What have you done in lockdown to help your studies and potentially your application to Cambridge?
7) What do you want to do with your degree from Cambridge?
8) Have you decided which college you're applying to?


----
Cambridge's Statement on GCSEs:
There are no GCSE (or equivalent) requirements for entry to Cambridge. GCSE results are looked at as a performance indicator, but within the context of the performance of the school/college where they were achieved.
Applicants have generally achieved high grades in subjects relevant to their chosen course, and most students who apply have at least four or five 7/8/9s at GCSE (an A is considered equivalent to 7 and an A* is considered equivalent to 8/9). However, there are always exceptions and we don’t require a minimum number of 7/8/9s at GCSE. One of the strengths of the Cambridge admissions system is its ability to assess all applicants individually.
Our research shows that post-16 examination performance is a much better predictor of degree success at Cambridge. While GCSE results are looked at as a performance indicator, this is within the context of the performance of the school/college where they were attained, and strong performance in Years 12 and 13 can make up for a less stellar performance at GCSE.



Good luck everyone!!

1) English, history, French, politics, epq
2) history
3) 7 9s and 3 8s (retaking 2 8s in bio and chem)
4) I really like the course as it’s more chronologically broad than the ox course
5) possibly an internal at interview assessment
6) just some wider reading and listening to podcasts
7) probably law conversion lol (basic historian route Ig)
8) no (I like trinity, St. John’s, kings, and caius

Hi!

1) English literature, religious studies and politics
2) Theology religion and philosophy of religion
3) don’t want to share those at the moment (but of a sore subject lol)
4) I prefer the course
5) I’ll have one at interview, I’ve been practicing watching lectures and making notes on them
6) watched online lectures
7) I have no clue yet 😂
8) probably Pembroke

I love how you said 'Stake out your competition' That made me laugh.

you do realise that unis still see 8s and 9s as A*s? But nothing wrong with retaking I guess

PRSOM haha, may I add that to the main post in the thread?

I wonder if this thread will get @Oxford Mum's approval?

Even though we're only about to start Year 12, it wouldn't be so much of a bad idea to have a declaration of intent, to come back to every once in a while, or to stake out your competition, anything that can motivate you to be the best applicant possible.

Cambridge isn't the be-all and end-all of things but being aspirational doesn't hurt!

I'll try to update the thread with information & advice, as I'm a stickler for info.

Shamelessly lifted (slightly) from @New Wonder and @tash299792's threads, please reply to this thread introducing yourself:
(Don't worry if you haven't done a lot, this is a year in advance don't forget!)

1) What A Levels are you taking from September (or other eligible qualifications)?
2) What course at Cambridge do you have your eyes on? And why?
3) What grades did you get at GCSE? Are you retaking any?
4) Why Cambridge specifically? and why not Oxford?
5) Which admissions tests do you have to sit, and when will you start preparing for them?
6) What have you done in lockdown to help your studies and potentially your application to Cambridge?
7) What do you want to do with your degree from Cambridge?
8) Have you decided which college you're applying to?


----
Cambridge's Statement on GCSEs:
There are no GCSE (or equivalent) requirements for entry to Cambridge. GCSE results are looked at as a performance indicator, but within the context of the performance of the school/college where they were achieved.
Applicants have generally achieved high grades in subjects relevant to their chosen course, and most students who apply have at least four or five 7/8/9s at GCSE (an A is considered equivalent to 7 and an A* is considered equivalent to 8/9). However, there are always exceptions and we don’t require a minimum number of 7/8/9s at GCSE. One of the strengths of the Cambridge admissions system is its ability to assess all applicants individually.
Our research shows that post-16 examination performance is a much better predictor of degree success at Cambridge. While GCSE results are looked at as a performance indicator, this is within the context of the performance of the school/college where they were attained, and strong performance in Years 12 and 13 can make up for a less stellar performance at GCSE.



Good luck everyone!!

Hi!

1) English literature, religious studies and politics
2) Theology religion and philosophy of religion
3) don’t want to share those at the moment (but of a sore subject lol)
4) I prefer the course
5) I’ll have one at interview, I’ve been practicing watching lectures and making notes on them
6) watched online lectures
7) I have no clue yet 😂
8) probably Pembroke

1) N/A (EU Student (Austria))
2) Engineering because I will have the perfect fusion of scientific (physical) and technical knowledge to put my engineering ideas into reality. Also, it is general for the first two years which might be an advantage even though I am quite sure I want to do electrical engineering.
3) N/A: 1.0 (Best Grade) Average last four years and A+ average when I used to live in the US
4) I prefer the course structure at Cambridge and it is more known than Oxford in Engineering (even though both are great). Also, Cambridge is the heart of Silicon Glen which brings a lot of opportunities for engineers (e.g. internships)
5) ENGAA and have already looked at/done a few questions but will start to prepare late winter/early spring.
6) I've took part in a youth innovation challenge and achieved 4th out of original 150 teams with my idea of an artificial olfaction system named Multipurpose Odor Sensing System (MOSS) which can alert about abnormalities in chemical compositions of the air and can be used to detect forest fires early with chemical pollutant levels to alerting about perishable food 1-3 days ahead with mycotoxin levels. We have made an in depth concept (tech, design, business canvas etc.) and are looking to make a prototype. I won the Downing College and Cambridge Zero Climate Change Letter Competition and have started 2 CS50 courses (Introduction to AI and web developmeny). Also, am looking to start an internship in September.
7) Concrete Knowledge and Research/Industrial Experience during Term Breaks
8) Narrowed it down to 6 Colleges but probably Pembroke