In Person Cambridge Interviews
Has anyone come across any information that the Cambridge Colleges (other than Trinity) would be holding in-person interviews for 2024/25 entry? Like for this year in December since that’s when the next bunch of applicants would be applying?
Scroll to see replies
Original post by catsaresocool
Has anyone come across any information that the Cambridge Colleges (other than Trinity) would be holding in-person interviews for 2024/25 entry? Like for this year in December since that’s when the next bunch of applicants would be applying?
Last October they invited teachers and advisors to take part in a survey on that topic. Here's the wording they used:
Over the past few years, we have interviewed applicants online. We are now considering whether to return to in-person interviews, stay online, or adopt a hybrid approach. We are keen to gain your insights, to help inform any decisions we make. Your answers will help inform the format of applicant interviews in the future, but will have no impact on applications for 2023 entry. For more details about the interview process for 2023 entry, visit our website. The deadline to complete the survey is 30 October.
I've not seen any details regarding the outcome of that process.
Original post by catsaresocool
Has anyone come across any information that the Cambridge Colleges (other than Trinity) would be holding in-person interviews for 2024/25 entry? Like for this year in December since that’s when the next bunch of applicants would be applying?
Have to wait and see for next year, but I would be surprised if they return to in person interviews as on-line is quicker/cheaper for both candidate and university, and in my opinion also fairer. Even businesses are increasingly moving to on-line interviews, so can’t see why that would not suffice for uni applicants.
(edited 2 years ago)
As an applicant from outside of the UK, I hope to see that online interviews continue. I agree that it's cheaper, quicker but most importantly more efficient. I was very happy to be interviewed directly by my college, and not by a representative sent to my country if it were to be f2f or that I have to fly to Cambridge, jet lagged and cold.
Original post by Muttley79
I hope they give opportunities to visit - I think it's an important part of applying to see where you will be studying,
Candidates can still visit on open days, even if the interview process remains online.
Original post by DataVenia
Candidates can still visit on open days, even if the interview process remains online.
It's not really the same though ... the interview visit was an important part of my decision to reject an Oxford EE offer.
Original post by Muttley79
It's not really the same though ... the interview visit was an important part of my decision to reject an Oxford EE offer.
Interesting. Is that because the open days show a sanitised / artificial / orchestrated view of things, whilst at interview you see things in a more "real" setting?
Original post by DataVenia
Interesting. Is that because the open days show a sanitised / artificial / orchestrated view of things, whilst at interview you see things in a more "real" setting?
Yes ... being there for three days amongst fellow applicants is very different ...
Original post by Muttley79
Yes ... being there for three days amongst fellow applicants is very different ...
Genuine question - would it matter meeting fellow applicants when majority will be rejected (since acceptance after interview is said to be 13.5%), and it's almost impossible to know what kind of friends you are going to have? If I like my interviewers from my college and see that I will thrive in the Cambridge supo system, would it then matter whether I got to meet fellow applicants or not?
Original post by BubblesBB
Genuine question - would it matter meeting fellow applicants when majority will be rejected (since acceptance after interview is said to be 13.5%), and it's almost impossible to know what kind of friends you are going to have? If I like my interviewers from my college and see that I will thrive in the Cambridge supo system, would it then matter whether I got to meet fellow applicants or not?
It wasn't just the applicants but talking to students already there at meals ... it isn't recent so fewer went to university then.
Reply 11
Original post by BubblesBB
Genuine question - would it matter meeting fellow applicants when majority will be rejected (since acceptance after interview is said to be 13.5%), and it's almost impossible to know what kind of friends you are going to have? If I like my interviewers from my college and see that I will thrive in the Cambridge supo system, would it then matter whether I got to meet fellow applicants or not?
No - and the university is vast in size. In reality, were you to get a place, you'd make friends both in your college and other colleges, through supervisions and various clubs etc. I don't really understand why anyone would feel the need to 'meet other applicants'.
Reply 12
Hi there!
To chip in here - the University is in the process of making this decision. It will have to go through lots of committees before it is finalised and publicised. I don't quite know how long this will take. I would not expect the decision for some months yet. We are aware that applicants will, very reasonably, want to know how they might be interviewed, but we need to balance this with the need to make a decision which meets the needs of everybody involved in the process. This isn't easy. There are lots of strongly-held opinions, from prospective applicants, current students, teachers, Admissions Offices, Admissions Tutors and of course interviewers, all of whom need to be heard.
To chip in here - the University is in the process of making this decision. It will have to go through lots of committees before it is finalised and publicised. I don't quite know how long this will take. I would not expect the decision for some months yet. We are aware that applicants will, very reasonably, want to know how they might be interviewed, but we need to balance this with the need to make a decision which meets the needs of everybody involved in the process. This isn't easy. There are lots of strongly-held opinions, from prospective applicants, current students, teachers, Admissions Offices, Admissions Tutors and of course interviewers, all of whom need to be heard.
Original post by Peterhouse Admissions
Hi there!
To chip in here - the University is in the process of making this decision. It will have to go through lots of committees before it is finalised and publicised. I don't quite know how long this will take. I would not expect the decision for some months yet. We are aware that applicants will, very reasonably, want to know how they might be interviewed, but we need to balance this with the need to make a decision which meets the needs of everybody involved in the process. This isn't easy. There are lots of strongly-held opinions, from prospective applicants, current students, teachers, Admissions Offices, Admissions Tutors and of course interviewers, all of whom need to be heard.
To chip in here - the University is in the process of making this decision. It will have to go through lots of committees before it is finalised and publicised. I don't quite know how long this will take. I would not expect the decision for some months yet. We are aware that applicants will, very reasonably, want to know how they might be interviewed, but we need to balance this with the need to make a decision which meets the needs of everybody involved in the process. This isn't easy. There are lots of strongly-held opinions, from prospective applicants, current students, teachers, Admissions Offices, Admissions Tutors and of course interviewers, all of whom need to be heard.
Thanks for the info. They will not be able to please everyone, but it sounds like Cambridge are going through all the due diligence before making the decision, so fair do’s to them.
Reply 14
Original post by DataVenia
Last October they invited teachers and advisors to take part in a survey on that topic. Here's the wording they used:
I've not seen any details regarding the outcome of that process.
I've not seen any details regarding the outcome of that process.
Thanks for the help!
Reply 15
Original post by BubblesBB
As an applicant from outside of the UK, I hope to see that online interviews continue. I agree that it's cheaper, quicker but most importantly more efficient. I was very happy to be interviewed directly by my college, and not by a representative sent to my country if it were to be f2f or that I have to fly to Cambridge, jet lagged and cold.
I do understand that, it’s just that personally it would make a difference for me to have an in person interview rather than online. It sorta feels more real and I’d probably perform better. But I do get your point! It’d be way harder for international applicants.
Reply 16
Original post by Peterhouse Admissions
Hi there!
To chip in here - the University is in the process of making this decision. It will have to go through lots of committees before it is finalised and publicised. I don't quite know how long this will take. I would not expect the decision for some months yet. We are aware that applicants will, very reasonably, want to know how they might be interviewed, but we need to balance this with the need to make a decision which meets the needs of everybody involved in the process. This isn't easy. There are lots of strongly-held opinions, from prospective applicants, current students, teachers, Admissions Offices, Admissions Tutors and of course interviewers, all of whom need to be heard.
To chip in here - the University is in the process of making this decision. It will have to go through lots of committees before it is finalised and publicised. I don't quite know how long this will take. I would not expect the decision for some months yet. We are aware that applicants will, very reasonably, want to know how they might be interviewed, but we need to balance this with the need to make a decision which meets the needs of everybody involved in the process. This isn't easy. There are lots of strongly-held opinions, from prospective applicants, current students, teachers, Admissions Offices, Admissions Tutors and of course interviewers, all of whom need to be heard.
That makes sense, thanks for the input!
Original post by Reality Check
No - and the university is vast in size. In reality, were you to get a place, you'd make friends both in your college and other colleges, through supervisions and various clubs etc. I don't really understand why anyone would feel the need to 'meet other applicants'.
It's not just about meeting 'other applicants' - it's the whole vibe of the place. How current students treat each other ec. etc
Perhaps I just had a bad experience ....
Reply 18
im applying to gonville and Caius, and I have in person
Original post by catsaresocool
Has anyone come across any information that the Cambridge Colleges (other than Trinity) would be holding in-person interviews for 2024/25 entry? Like for this year in December since that’s when the next bunch of applicants would be applying?
(edited 1 year ago)
Reply 19
For Natural Sciences? 
Original post by apricotviolet
im applying to gonville and Caius, and I have in person
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- In person Cambridge interviews mean less diversity?
- I really like Downing college but I would want to do my interview in person
- What should I do
- Where would I have a better chance of getting in for Law? Oxford or Cambridge?
- Cambridge maths
- Oxbridge interview for maths
- History OR History and Politics?
- What to do for a competitive application for Mathematics at top universities.
- Cambridge maths
- Why is the entrance rate for maths at Oxford so low?
- Cambridge Engineering VS Dyson Institute
- Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology Interview
- applying for HSPS but law everywhere else?
- Questions Russell group unis ask for
- MST Creative Writing - University of Oxford
- Cambridge Computer Science passage reading?
- Optional Cambridge-specific Personal Statement
- Would I have a good chance at Cambridge?
- Should I apply to Cambridge Med?
- Tips on a history and politics joint honours
Latest
Trending
Last reply 1 day ago
MPhil Advanced Computer Science Cambridge - 2025 EntryLast reply 4 days ago
How important are competitions for cambridge/imperial application?Last reply 4 days ago
track record with cambridge accepting people a few marks off?Last reply 4 days ago
2025 Cambridge MPhil Economics/Economic Research/Econ and Finance etc ThreadLast reply 6 days ago
Will not going to Oxbridge reduce my chances at gaining a pupillage?Last reply 1 week ago
Cambridge Fitzwilliam Architectural Fitzwilliam Design Competition
