The Student Room Group

application question

I'm currently in Year 11 and planning to apply to the university this year. I want to apply for Cambridge Mathematics and have chosen four subjects: Mathematics, Economics, Physics, and Further Mathematics. I have already completed three subjects and taken the tests in the past test season, with only Further Mathematics left for my last year. However, I recently read on the official website about the University's position on qualifications taken early. The website states that the University discourages students from being entered for public examinations early unless they are likely to obtain top grades. It also mentions that offers are normally made on qualifications being taken in Year 13 or equivalent. This contradicts my current situation, as I will only have one subject left in my last year. I'm concerned about how this might affect my application. What should I do in my last year to prove that I have an equivalent workload of three subjects?
Original post by zd9905336
I'm currently in Year 11 and planning to apply to the university this year. I want to apply for Cambridge Mathematics and have chosen four subjects: Mathematics, Economics, Physics, and Further Mathematics. I have already completed three subjects and taken the tests in the past test season, with only Further Mathematics left for my last year. However, I recently read on the official website about the University's position on qualifications taken early. The website states that the University discourages students from being entered for public examinations early unless they are likely to obtain top grades. It also mentions that offers are normally made on qualifications being taken in Year 13 or equivalent. This contradicts my current situation, as I will only have one subject left in my last year. I'm concerned about how this might affect my application. What should I do in my last year to prove that I have an equivalent workload of three subjects?

Did you do your other 3 A levels in a single year, or over two years and have you got the grades required for Cambridge? if so, it's OK that Further Maths is on it's own. However, you need to do STEP for Cambridge Maths, so you need to work out when you will do that. But the biggest issue is perhaps that it seems you may not be 18 by the time you want to start Cambridge - if that's the case, that's your biggest issue.
Reply 2
Original post by threeportdrift
Did you do your other 3 A levels in a single year, or over two years and have you got the grades required for Cambridge? if so, it's OK that Further Maths is on it's own. However, you need to do STEP for Cambridge Maths, so you need to work out when you will do that. But the biggest issue is perhaps that it seems you may not be 18 by the time you want to start Cambridge - if that's the case, that's your biggest issue.
Thank you so much
Reply 3
Original post by threeportdrift
Did you do your other 3 A levels in a single year, or over two years and have you got the grades required for Cambridge? if so, it's OK that Further Maths is on it's own. However, you need to do STEP for Cambridge Maths, so you need to work out when you will do that. But the biggest issue is perhaps that it seems you may not be 18 by the time you want to start Cambridge - if that's the case, that's your biggest issue.

One more question. Doesn't Cambridge like to admit under-18s
Original post by zd9905336
One more question. Doesn't Cambridge like to admit under-18s

No, generally not. Some Colleges are OK about it if you turn 18 before Christmas of your first term. However, 16 year olds and young 17 year olds are increasingly seen as an issue. The legislation about safeguarding makes it extremely difficult for them to be in College. But experience of having children (which under 18s legally are in the UK) not living in College and living with a parent in private accommodation - well generally they haven't been good for the child. So most Colleges will say thank you but no, do something useful with your life and come back when you are 18.
I only know of a few people who turned 18 after matriculating - most of them being Scottish who turned 18 before Christmas of first term (as the previous poster implied may be okay) and even they struggled with many of the social events. Clubs and even some university events like May Balls - which are going on outside my window as we speak - require students to be 18. Even our college bar had a picture of the one guy from our college who was 17 so as to specifically not serve him alcohol. Even if you don't drink, many places won't let you in without being 18.

You may as well enjoy being 16 and 17 and join with people your own age. There isn't much tangible benefit to going early nor will people be as impressed as you may think.
Reply 6
Original post by zd9905336
I'm currently in Year 11 and planning to apply to the university this year. I want to apply for Cambridge Mathematics and have chosen four subjects: Mathematics, Economics, Physics, and Further Mathematics. I have already completed three subjects and taken the tests in the past test season, with only Further Mathematics left for my last year. However, I recently read on the official website about the University's position on qualifications taken early. The website states that the University discourages students from being entered for public examinations early unless they are likely to obtain top grades. It also mentions that offers are normally made on qualifications being taken in Year 13 or equivalent. This contradicts my current situation, as I will only have one subject left in my last year. I'm concerned about how this might affect my application. What should I do in my last year to prove that I have an equivalent workload of three subjects?

Do another set of A-level in year 12 and 13 so that you can go to Cambridge, or whatever uni you end up getting into, at the same time as everyone else. Absolutely no point going uni early. Many students aren't mentally ready or have the maturity when they are 18, and end up struggling, and either drop out or move to a college nearer home, so it would be crazy to go even younger.

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