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Cambridge rejects 2021 thread

13

Hi everyone. Hope you're all doing well - I share this account with my friend and thought I'd start this thread for Cambridge rejects 2021.

I know it's probably been a tough day, so I thought we could start a support thread. Shall we kick it off by answering these questions:

1. Which course did you apply for?
2. Which college did you apply for?
3. Were you pooled?
4. Honestly.. were you expecting to be rejected?
5. How are you feeling about it now?
6. What do you think was your downfall?
7. Do you know where you may like to study instead?

Remember: when one door closes, another opens. There's a good chances you'll look back on this day in a few years and realize it was the best possible thing that could have happened.

Reply 1

username3927736

14

Original post by anaturner

Hi everyone. Hope you're all doing well - I share this account with my friend and thought I'd start this thread for Cambridge rejects 2021.

I know it's probably been a tough day, so I thought we could start a support thread. Shall we kick it off by answering these questions:

1. Which course did you apply for?
2. Which college did you apply for?
3. Were you pooled?
4. Honestly.. were you expecting to be rejected?
5. How are you feeling about it now?
6. What do you think was your downfall?
7. Do you know where you may like to study instead?

Remember: when one door closes, another opens. There's a good chances you'll look back on this day in a few years and realize it was the best possible thing that could have happened.

architecture at trinity, not pooled.
I was 100% 50/50. I wouldn't be surprised if I got rejected or not, but at the same time I REALLY wanted to get in. there was more than just the course I liked. in fact I fell in love with Cambridge as a whole, and was hoping to get a choral scholarship too. I had no idea if my interview went well or not, because I felt a real teacher-student relationship and like I was in a real tutorial learning and discussing things, but at the same time my brain froze in quite important places like answering stuff abut my personal statement and things I should've expected, but at the same time didn't because they were so obvious. I get quite nervous talking to people in general so I came across quite erratic and not well prepared..
I was quite upset today and I think I will be for a while, but I'm trying to distract myself, forget about it and not go too downhill with schoolwork etc. A few of my friends have gotten in for other subjects (I don't know about architecture- very very few people get in) and I'm happy for them but its difficult to be truly happy when I'm so sad about myself :frown:

. I think I just need time by myself to get over this cause there's not much anyone can say, especially when they think it makes me feel better by saying stuff like 'you dodged a bullet', 'I hate them anyway', and 'but you have a place at a good uni elsewhere' cause I truly believe I would have loved it there (its not 'Cambridge' for no reason!), and it honestly doesn't help when people say stuff like this.

Right now I have an offer at Bath and Sheffield, with an interview for Greenwich on Wednesday, and got rejected from UCL. 99% sure I'll be off to Bath this year, but unsure about my insurance choice.
im set on being an architect, though, so maybe ill be back for my masters or even doctorate in the future!

Reply 2

Ninjaaa x

15

Original post by anaturner

Hi everyone. Hope you're all doing well - I share this account with my friend and thought I'd start this thread for Cambridge rejects 2021.

I know it's probably been a tough day, so I thought we could start a support thread. Shall we kick it off by answering these questions:

1. Which course did you apply for?
2. Which college did you apply for?
3. Were you pooled?
4. Honestly.. were you expecting to be rejected?
5. How are you feeling about it now?
6. What do you think was your downfall?
7. Do you know where you may like to study instead?

Remember: when one door closes, another opens. There's a good chances you'll look back on this day in a few years and realize it was the best possible thing that could have happened.

1) English
2) Newnham
3) Nope
4) Kinda
5) obviously i'm upset but happy iv'e got another shot after results day as i'm eligible for adjustment and i believe everything happens for a reason! :smile:

6) i honestly don't know but maybe a combination of ELAT and my second interview didn't feel too good
7) thinking of Lancaster - iv'e got an offer

Reply 3

kiwi_avacado

3

Original post by anaturner

Hi everyone. Hope you're all doing well - I share this account with my friend and thought I'd start this thread for Cambridge rejects 2021.

I know it's probably been a tough day, so I thought we could start a support thread. Shall we kick it off by answering these questions:

1. Which course did you apply for?
2. Which college did you apply for?
3. Were you pooled?
4. Honestly.. were you expecting to be rejected?
5. How are you feeling about it now?
6. What do you think was your downfall?
7. Do you know where you may like to study instead?

Remember: when one door closes, another opens. There's a good chances you'll look back on this day in a few years and realize it was the best possible thing that could have happened.

Hi there! I applied for Philosophy at Downing. Sadly I wasn't pooled. Part of me expected it, the other half was certain I'd get an offer. After the original disappointment subsided I feel a lot better, trying to recognise the positives of not studying at Cambridge (at least I don't need to deal with the stupidly short terms eh?). Not sure what my downfall was, maybe a not amazing second interview, possibly GCSE grades (got all 7s and above but nothing like 9s across the board or anything). I have offers from Sheffield, Bristol, York and Durham. It's between Bristol and York for me, but despite Bristol being better on paper something in my gut tells me to go to York so I'll probably end up there :smile:

Reply 4

NicNoonoo

3

I just got rejected and it sucks. I was expecting rejection but the wait today made me feel more hopeful and honestly I loved the history course and I really don't know how to move forward tbh

Reply 5

az3rz

12

Original post by anaturner

Hi everyone. Hope you're all doing well - I share this account with my friend and thought I'd start this thread for Cambridge rejects 2021.

I know it's probably been a tough day, so I thought we could start a support thread. Shall we kick it off by answering these questions:

1. Which course did you apply for?
2. Which college did you apply for?
3. Were you pooled?
4. Honestly.. were you expecting to be rejected?
5. How are you feeling about it now?
6. What do you think was your downfall?
7. Do you know where you may like to study instead?

Remember: when one door closes, another opens. There's a good chances you'll look back on this day in a few years and realize it was the best possible thing that could have happened.

1 - law
2 - Selwyn
3 - no
4 - 75% yeah
5 - I knew that I wouldn't fit in at Cambridge so I was glad in that respect but I feel like my teachers/parents/school as a whole (because my school is really small) placed expectations on me so i don't know how to break the news to them. I don't feel like I've let myself down but I've defo let other people down aha.
6 - bad second interview. CLT went well and I was basically speaking to my first interviewer like an old friend but yeah, the second interview was not great
7 - applied to Birmingham Leeds UCL KCL - want to firm a London uni but haven't got replies from either but I would definitely go to Leeds if it came to it. Good law course, amazing city and the work-life balance is very manageable.

Reply 6

az3rz

12

Original post by NicNoonoo

I just got rejected and it sucks. I was expecting rejection but the wait today made me feel more hopeful and honestly I loved the history course and I really don't know how to move forward tbh

Id take a day or two, everyone's disappointed but some people are lucky enough to have the ability to channel it - unfortunately, I'm not one of them either so I'm going to skip my school work for tonight and watch a film, then get back on top of things tomorrow

I feel for you though, I do

Reply 7

username2727276

11

Original post by anaturner

Hi everyone. Hope you're all doing well - I share this account with my friend and thought I'd start this thread for Cambridge rejects 2021.

I know it's probably been a tough day, so I thought we could start a support thread. Shall we kick it off by answering these questions:

1. Which course did you apply for?
2. Which college did you apply for?
3. Were you pooled?
4. Honestly.. were you expecting to be rejected?
5. How are you feeling about it now?
6. What do you think was your downfall?
7. Do you know where you may like to study instead?

Remember: when one door closes, another opens. There's a good chances you'll look back on this day in a few years and realize it was the best possible thing that could have happened.

applied for physical natural sciences at corpus. was rejected after getting pooled but that was going to be the only way I'd be rejected due to compulsory pooling. I genuinely did think I'd have a chance considering the DoS said my first interview went really well, and I didn't think the second one was that bad (made a few silly technical errors). when I got the email I was actually in the middle of thinking I might just have a chance, and hyping myself up, only then I got the email and when I saw the rejection my heart sank and my legs felt weak.

I think my application was never going to be perfect to begin with. a big problem was no further maths - I applied as a dropout from medicine so I got A*A*A*A in maths, chem, bio and physics. I couldn't take further maths independently as my school said they'd predict me a B, and AS further maths an A but given the situation I'd be a private candidate and my exams would've been canceled. I think maybe the silly errors in the second interview was also a problem given my grades, and I didn't really get what the interviewer was saying. I also didn't have great gap year plans, and my grades are from 2019 so maybe they were too old? I think the biggest downfall was the second interview though, even though I thought I did okay. I've requested for feedback so I'll see what they actually thought of my interviews.

I'm stuck between Bristol or Nottingham for chemistry. Nottingham offer holder day is soon though!

Reply 8

SnyxIV_

8

1. Which course did you apply for? Engineering
2. Which college did you apply for? Clare
3. Were you pooled? No
4. Honestly.. were you expecting to be rejected? Yes
5. How are you feeling about it now? Not too bad
6. What do you think was your downfall? Interview
7. Do you know where you may like to study instead? Imperial College (Got an offer)

Reply 9

Debs25

19

Original post by SnyxIV_

1. Which course did you apply for? Engineering
2. Which college did you apply for? Clare
3. Were you pooled? No
4. Honestly.. were you expecting to be rejected? Yes
5. How are you feeling about it now? Not too bad
6. What do you think was your downfall? Interview
7. Do you know where you may like to study instead? Imperial College (Got an offer)

My daughter was rejected from Clare for engineering 2 years ago. She went on to achieve 4 A*s at A level and secured a UKESF scholarship in her first year as an undergraduate( very uncommon) and a valuable internship to boot. For engineering, Imperial is stellar and you have a bright future ahead of you.

Reply 10

Palace_Eagle

10

The high calibre of the applicants overall and the numbers involved relative to places available means that the admission tutors (and most people if they were asked to do it) are invariably likely to select candidates of high calibre. It's conversely unlikely that low calibre applicants will get offers/places. Its likely though that the admissions tutors also reject large number of applicants of similar high calibre.

The issue is how reliable are they are in differentiating between these high calibre candidates. The process is not standardised to begin with so there is no way of knowing - the admissions process and how it varies across the 31 or so colleges is non-transparent..

If anyone ever suggests that one can reliably spot 'genius' in a 25 minute interview, they are far from a genius themselves. What one can more reliably spot are characteristics of applicants such as social class, gender, accent, skin colour, social confidence etc etc. Social confidence is no great indicator of ability - (see our current Prime Minister for example).

(edited 4 years ago)

Reply 11

Palace_Eagle

10

there is a huge element of luck/chance in the process and the 'pooling system' only pays lip service to the idea of proper standardisation across the 31 or so colleges, which operate like separate universities when it comes to selecting candidates for the same courses.

Reply 12

mraa_29

11

1. Which course did you apply for? Medicine
2. Which college did you apply for? Christ’s
3. Were you pooled? No
4. Honestly.. were you expecting to be rejected? Deep down yes, I feel like I didn’t I give it my all
5. How are you feeling about it now? Still regretful for not putting enough effort in, but so many deserving applicants who have received offers and worked hard for them.
6. What do you think was your downfall? Certainly BMAT (4.3, 5.1, 3.5A), interview could have gone better, but were alright on the whole. The second interview was very challenging. I think having 3x A* predictions would have helped instead of my A*A*A predictions.
7. Do you know where you may like to study instead? Well I’ve also been rejected from Cardiff (clearly I’m doing well lol), and awaiting responses from 2 more universities. I will try Extra/Clearing (not eligible for Adjustment :frown:

) if I am rejected across the board. I’m more than happy to reapply and take a gap year if I need to, especially if I can put in all my effort to achieve 3x A*s this summer (maybe so I can reapply to Cambridge with achieved A-levels? Very early days, so just need to focus on A-levels at the moment, but I know it can be done). Will see what happens over the next few months.

(edited 4 years ago)

Reply 13

mraa_29

11

Original post by A_02

1. Which course did you apply for? Medicine
2. Which college did you apply for? Christ’s
3. Were you pooled? No
4. Honestly.. were you expecting to be rejected? Deep down yes, I feel like I didn’t I give it my all
5. How are you feeling about it now? Still regretful for not putting enough effort in, but so many deserving applicants who have received offers and worked hard for them.
6. What do you think was your downfall? Certainly BMAT (4.3, 5.1, 3.5A), interview could have gone better, but were alright on the whole. The second interview was very challenging. I think having 3x A* predictions would have helped instead of my A*A*A predictions.
7. Do you know where you may like to study instead? Well I’ve also been rejected from Cardiff (clearly I’m doing well lol), and awaiting responses from 2 more universities. I will try Extra/Clearing (not eligible for Adjustment :frown:

) if I am rejected across the board. I’m more than happy to reapply and take a gap year if I need to, especially if I can put in all my effort to achieve 3x A*s this summer (maybe so I can reapply to Cambridge with achieved A-levels? Very early days, so just need to focus on A-levels at the moment, but I know it can be done). Will see what happens over the next few months.

Ok so I’ve just had another rejection :s-smilie:

make that 1 awaiting response.

(edited 4 years ago)

Reply 14

nogoodusersleft

10

Original post by anaturner

Hi everyone. Hope you're all doing well - I share this account with my friend and thought I'd start this thread for Cambridge rejects 2021.

I know it's probably been a tough day, so I thought we could start a support thread. Shall we kick it off by answering these questions:

1. Which course did you apply for?
2. Which college did you apply for?
3. Were you pooled?
4. Honestly.. were you expecting to be rejected?
5. How are you feeling about it now?
6. What do you think was your downfall?
7. Do you know where you may like to study instead?

Remember: when one door closes, another opens. There's a good chances you'll look back on this day in a few years and realize it was the best possible thing that could have happened.

1. English
2. Queens
3. Yes, I was pooled, which is giving me very mixed emotions.
4. To be honest, I knew it would be a rejection, but I really hoped it wouldn't be, I put my all into this application.
5. A bit hopeless really, only one person got in from my school which makes it a little better because I feel the competition was far stiffer. Cambridge has been all I wanted ever since I could remember, and I know I'll feel like a failure anywhere else. I know there are other unis out there, but I don't want to go anywhere else lol.
6. My ELAT was below average, so there wasn't a chance of me being accepted from pool with that. I thought my interview went terribly as well. I should definitely have applied to a smaller college, I know they say it doesn't make a difference but the one I applied to is very oversubscribed for English. If I had interviewed at a smaller/less popular college they might have been able to see whatever it was that made Queens pool me. I know it sounds stupid but I really wish I'd looked at previous admissions statistics.
7. After realising I'd been pooled, I really don't know what to do anymore. If I'd been rejected outright, I could have accepted that they thought Cambridge wasn't for me. But I only had one interview, and both of my interviewers were DoS, so they must have seen something that went past my ELAT to pool me.
7. I really don't know. I haven't heard from Durham yet. i might take a year out, I'm just a bit lost.

Reply 15

Akash1234567

15

Original post by anaturner

Hi everyone. Hope you're all doing well - I share this account with my friend and thought I'd start this thread for Cambridge rejects 2021.

I know it's probably been a tough day, so I thought we could start a support thread. Shall we kick it off by answering these questions:

1. Which course did you apply for?
2. Which college did you apply for?
3. Were you pooled?
4. Honestly.. were you expecting to be rejected?
5. How are you feeling about it now?
6. What do you think was your downfall?
7. Do you know where you may like to study instead?

Remember: when one door closes, another opens. There's a good chances you'll look back on this day in a few years and realize it was the best possible thing that could have happened.

I applied for hsps.
Girton
No
Yes I was expecting it before I had applied. I was shocked i got an interview.
Fine - I do not think it is the be all end all. Only 1 person from my school got in out of the 20 or so applicants who applied. I am at a private school.
There was a question at the interview which involved a source and I did not know what the hell it was. The politics questions were fine.
I have to get the grades first and I am focussing on that. I am waiting for two more choices (LSE and Warwick) and I have offers from Birmingham and KCL. At the moment IF I GET THE GRADES probably KCL for Political Economy BA/BSc.

Good luck to everyone and all the best.

Reply 16

jamesrwr

6

Original post by anaturner

Hi everyone. Hope you're all doing well - I share this account with my friend and thought I'd start this thread for Cambridge rejects 2021.

I know it's probably been a tough day, so I thought we could start a support thread. Shall we kick it off by answering these questions:

1. Which course did you apply for?
2. Which college did you apply for?
3. Were you pooled?
4. Honestly.. were you expecting to be rejected?
5. How are you feeling about it now?
6. What do you think was your downfall?
7. Do you know where you may like to study instead?

Remember: when one door closes, another opens. There's a good chances you'll look back on this day in a few years and realize it was the best possible thing that could have happened.

1. Physical natural sciences
2. Emmanuel
3. No
4. Yes
5. Lacking all motivation to do school work lol
6. Entrance exam had a new structure this year which I didn't find out about until the night before. My interviews were also the first of the day so wasn't as comfortable as they could've been and I definitely made some silly mistakes.
7. No clue. I have offers from Manchester, Lancaster, Imperial and Durham, but I don't know about any of them. The closest feel to Cambridge is Durham, but the other 3 have year abroad schemes. Lancaster is my insurance choice so now I've got to figure out the best of the other 3.

Reply 17

PASP29

7

Having been 'there' when my daughter was rejected for English last year by Cambridge, I know just how disappointing this can be and just how many emotions and confusing thoughts can arise. I send my sympathies to all of you!

If I may, the key thing we learned is give it time... perspective and greater clarity on what you want to do may take weeks if not months... it did for her! Any reapplication or 'just go' decision doesn't need to be made for a good long while and shouldn't be made quickly I'd argue.

I posted on the "Official Cambridge 2020 Rejections & Deselected Applicants Thread" if anyone is interested on a journey post rejection and it may be of some interest a year on from the similar blow we faced this time last year.

Reply 18

Mixty

9

Original post by NicNoonoo

I just got rejected and it sucks. I was expecting rejection but the wait today made me feel more hopeful and honestly I loved the history course and I really don't know how to move forward tbh

I'm sorry. Who/what can help you move forward?

Reply 19

Mixty

9

Original post by Debs25

My daughter was rejected from Clare for engineering 2 years ago. She went on to achieve 4 A*s at A level and secured a UKESF scholarship in her first year as an undergraduate( very uncommon) and a valuable internship to boot. For engineering, Imperial is stellar and you have a bright future ahead of you.

Wow!

Cambridge rejects 2021 thread

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