yeah wouldn't be too relevant. If you've done any olympiads, any extra projects or read any books those would be good inclusions (though it's important to say that it's not necessary to be good at olympiads to do a maths degree)

Reply 4

15crashcodyFs

Original post by _gcx

Yeah ok cool ty :smile:

I have some books and maths challenges under my belt which I have already included, but just wanted to confirm about extracurriculars. So only mention them if I am unbelievably thirsty for words?

Reply 5

ReadingMum

What they do show is that you are capable of achieving your results whilst having a life. If you get all A*s because you did nothing but study then that wouldn't show as well against someone with the same grades who also committed significant time to extra curriculars.

Reply 6

Peterhouse Admissions

Official Rep

For most top universities, particularly Oxford and Cambridge, supercurriculars (activities done outside of lesson time which relate to the subject you want to study) are much more important than extracurriculars (activities done outside of lesson time which are unrelated to the subject you want to study). While extracurriculars can show you have capacity to do things outside your studies and take on positions of responsibility, unis are generally keener to know why you want to study the course you've applied for and what you've done to explore your subject. If you do talk about extracurriculars which are less relevant to the course you're applying for, make sure to talk about what you got out of doing them, rather than just list the things you do without thinking too much about them. Hope this helps!

Reply 7

_gcx

Study Forum Helper

Original post by pinkdoughnut11

Yeah ok cool ty :smile:

I have some books and maths challenges under my belt which I have already included, but just wanted to confirm about extracurriculars. So only mention them if I am unbelievably thirsty for words?

essentially yes, the focus on your personal statement should be on why you want to study maths at university and all the great things you do to make you a strong candidate. and then maybe a bit of you in general towards the end

Reply 8

ageshallnot

One of @Peterhouse Admissions former colleagues and TSR contributor once stated that the only thing maths admissions tutors really cared about was the applicant's ability to do Very Hard Sums! 😁