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The Official Cambridge Applicants for 2024 Entry Thread

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Hello, does anyone have any suggestions of competitive a levels choices for Theology, Philosophy and Religion at Cambridge? Would taking economics alongside Maths, a language (French or Spanish) and Philosophy be seen as uncompetitive compared to someone who may have history or english?
Original post by Anonymous
Just wanted to ask whether any one else is facing the same situation with BMAT prep?
I absolutely hated the style of the UCAT, dreaded the exam, and ended up not doing as well as I wanted to in it, but well enough to meet the cutoff for my UCAT unis
The BMAT however is the complete opposite. I am almost halfway finished the papers, and I'm scoring high 6s and low 7s in both sections consistently. It helps that I take all sciences +math, but the format of the exam suits me SO much better.
Does anyone else feel this?


UCAT is purely practice based since the skills for the subtests are not skills you would have used before (so more practice = better score), BMAT builds on pre-existing science and maths skills so those who tend to be more academic will do better in it as they have strong skills already in place
Original post by Anonymous
Hello, does anyone have any suggestions of competitive a levels choices for Theology, Philosophy and Religion at Cambridge? Would taking economics alongside Maths, a language (French or Spanish) and Philosophy be seen as uncompetitive compared to someone who may have history or english?


Although not required, I personally think one should study a subject close to their course. If you want to study Philosophy at uni, it would be reasonable imho to select A level Philosophy (if available).
Original post by Anonymous
Hello, does anyone have any suggestions of competitive a levels choices for Theology, Philosophy and Religion at Cambridge? Would taking economics alongside Maths, a language (French or Spanish) and Philosophy be seen as uncompetitive compared to someone who may have history or english?

Under the 'Entry requirements' tab on the Theology course page it says:
"For 2017, 2018 and 2019 entry, the majority of entrants from an A Level background achieved at least grades A*A*A (60% of entrants). These successful applicants typically took Religious Studies (84%). Other common subjects were English (Language, Language & Literature, or Literature, 53%), History (49%) and a language (20%)."
Although Religious Studies, English, History and a language are considered useful preparation, the page also says that there are no specific subjects required by any College.
https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/theology

Although that means that most do take RE/English/History, on another page it gives a list of the best A level subjects for the arts, social science or humanities courses. It recommends doing at least one of English Language/Literature, a language, History and Mathematics. And it lists other subjects, including Economics and Philosophy.
https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/before/choosing-high-school-subjects
Original post by Anonymous
Hello,
just wondering, for cambridge med, are they still looking for 90+ UMS for each subject (AS- level, lol NI student)
I know that england doesn't do AS -anymore, so just wondering if it would pose a problem as I missed 90 UMS in bio and chem by approx 1-2 UMS marks, but was well over for physics and maths


Hi there. The Colleges will look at your AS grades as they are useful information. However they are just one part of your application. If you are predicted the typical entry requirements I wouldn't worry too much.
Guys, I have this friend from the UK, she in her last semester, she got CCC for her mocks, but then her school predicted her to be a*aa so that she can get more offers. For me, since our school is outside of the UK, we dont really know how the predicted systems work here, we just quite literally give uk schools our raw marks and ofc grades. i kind of find that really unfair...
Reply 386
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Scotney
20
Original post by Anonymous
Guys, I have this friend from the UK, she in her last semester, she got CCC for her mocks, but then her school predicted her to be a*aa so that she can get more offers. For me, since our school is outside of the UK, we dont really know how the predicted systems work here, we just quite literally give uk schools our raw marks and ofc grades. i kind of find that really unfair...

This is not the norm in the UK especially inflating grades to that extent.If a school consistently does this Oxford and other unis will notice and start to mistrust their references.Your school is acting correctly.I do wonder how truthful your friend is being.
does anyone know if a student retaking their exams the next year (they sat it in 2023 but will be taking the 2024 exam to raise their grade) can carry forward their Speaking Endorsement in English Language GCSE?
Reply 388
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lalexm
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Original post by Anonymous
Guys, I have this friend from the UK, she in her last semester, she got CCC for her mocks, but then her school predicted her to be a*aa so that she can get more offers. For me, since our school is outside of the UK, we dont really know how the predicted systems work here, we just quite literally give uk schools our raw marks and ofc grades. i kind of find that really unfair...

This would not help anyone, least of all the students. With a*aa predictions, she might get offers from high tariff unis, but then she would lose her place when she does not achieve those grades, and would have the anguish of falling back to her insurance or going through clearing at the last minute.

Furthermore it appears that Cambridge might be getting even more strict with offer holders meeting their requirements, as I know of several students who lost their Cambridge place by just missing their grades e.g needing a*aa but getting aaa or a*ab. I think getting a Cambridge place and then losing it would be worse than not getting a place in the first place.
Reply 389
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lalexm
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A gentle reminder please not to post as anonymous if at all possible, as it makes it more difficult for contributors to assist applicants, as you lose all history. It also gets really messy when you get to offers day and you are trying to answer questions from people with anonymous counts in the 100s.
Reply 390
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Scotney
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Original post by lalexm
A gentle reminder please not to post as anonymous if at all possible, as it makes it more difficult for contributors to assist applicants, as you lose all history. It also gets really messy when you get to offers day and you are trying to answer questions from people with anonymous counts in the 100s.


Agreed.We cannot remember who anon XX is and as thread goes on it will be harder to get answers to your queries.Also you cannot receive messages from other users.There is no need for anon as noone knows who you are anyway and it was a featurevdesigned for threads about personal issues not academic ones.
1) Biology, Economics, Chemistry, Mathematics
2) PBS. Flexible course, and I can also study non-psych topics ie. Neurobiology
3) Full As for AS Level
4) Indecisiveness mostly bc I also enjoy Biology
5) NA
6) Reading and reading and reading
7) Masters
8) Downing
(edited 1 month ago)
Original post by capelin247
1) Biology, Economics, Chemistry, Mathematics
2) PBS. Flexible course, and I can also study non-psych topics ie. Neurobiology
3) Full As for AS Level
4) My school doesn't offer Psych so I can't apply for Oxf
5) NA
6) Reading and reading and reading
7) Masters
8) Downing

You... don't need psychology for Oxford.
Reply 393
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joe_y.i
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Original post by Paralove

You... don't need psychology for Oxford.


shhh don't tell them that, get them to come to Cambridge lol
Original post by Paralove
You... don't need psychology for Oxford.

Original post by joe_y.i
shhh don't tell them that, get them to come to Cambridge lol

Or, given that this is a thread for Cambridge applicants, do tell them that so they might switch allegiance to Oxford and slightly reduce the competition for a PBS place at Cambridge. :wink:
Hello - Apologies for posting here rather than the parents discussion. I thought since their kids had already got in they might not be best placed to answer. Hi ! Anxious mother here. My fabulous girl ( I’m biased ) has just finished her PS etc. Does anyone know if you are not selected for interview are the rejections quite swift or do they send these out at the same time as they call for interview ? Thanks. FYI - She is applying with an open application to read Classics ( 4 year course ).
Reply 396
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lalexm
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Original post by thirdtimebuyer
Hello - Apologies for posting here rather than the parents discussion. I thought since their kids had already got in they might not be best placed to answer. Hi ! Anxious mother here. My fabulous girl ( I’m biased ) has just finished her PS etc. Does anyone know if you are not selected for interview are the rejections quite swift or do they send these out at the same time as they call for interview ? Thanks. FYI - She is applying with an open application to read Classics ( 4 year course ).

Invites for interview and rejections are sent at the same time. It will be in about mid November I believe. Good luck to her.
Original post by lalexm
Invites for interview and rejections are sent at the same time. It will be in about mid November I believe. Good luck to her.

Thank you ! You’re a superstar. At least we ( mostly me) have a few weeks respite after submission before the anxiety will start again. Appreciate your help.
Reply 398
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Scotney
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Original post by thirdtimebuyer
Thank you ! You’re a superstar. At least we ( mostly me) have a few weeks respite after submission before the anxiety will start again. Appreciate your help.

The interviews and rejections come out over about 2 weeks so yes a bit of a break.Do feel free to post on parents thread.Most of us still have the process burned into our brains!
Original post by Scotney
The interviews and rejections come out over about 2 weeks so yes a bit of a break.Do feel free to post on parents thread.Most of us still have the process burned into our brains!

Thank you ! That’s kind.

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