Are you going to interview alone?

Im going to drive to the park and ride and take the bus in, was wondering if you guys and girls were going on your own or with people? Im planning on going with my girlfriend is this a really bad idea? When we are inside the college are we allowd people with us?

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Reply 1

LH123

I went alone, 2 hours down to London on train, 1 hourish back up to Cambridge then a taxi drive to the college. It's not that scary, I wouldn't tell recommend taking someone else, it seems pretty pointless to me. :smile:

Reply 2

SimonM

My information from Christ's advised people taking people with them to say goodbye outside the gates.

Personally, I did the whole trip alone

Reply 3

innerpartysystem

Doing the whole thing alone.

Was going to drive up, but decided that it would be better to catch up sleep on the train.

Reply 4

No Longer_Active

Nothing wrong with bringing anyone, but perhaps not the greatest idea taking your mum into the interview room with you! If you give the impression you came alone, you will look much more independent. I'll probably drag my boyfriend to mine with me, but he can wait somewhere :smile:

Reply 5

Scipio90

I would leave them at the gate, whether you're allowed to bring people in or not.

Reply 6

MikeHarris

Im not bringing her for courage and support im bringing her because I thought itd be a fun day out :s-smilie:

Ish. Not sure whether it was wise or not but =/ Cant do much harm I guess, Ill leave her outside the college haha

Reply 7

Craghyrax

Loads of people come with parents - especially internationals. I don't think it looks that great, but tbh the people interviewing you don't see! You get taken the the interview (or given directions) by a porter or helping student. They're already in the room, interviewing someone else before they come out and call you.
It seems pretty unlikely that anybody would care enough to remember which brought people and which didn't (seeing as large numbers do) - and clearly they don't have a box on your forms to tick to keep record :p:

My college were totally fine with people dragging random extras, however if the college have offered you accommodation, its a good opportunity to get a feel for the place, and having a family member or anybody really, would be a bit inconvenient. The other thing is that you'll miss out on all the bonding with other interviewees. I found it really nice to eat one or two meals in hall with other applicants, and to chat and chill with people in the bar and JCR a bit - taking a friend or someone would stop you experiencing any of that.

Reply 8

Brook Taylor

Nothing wrong with bringing your girlfriend; hell, I'd do the same. Like you said, it can be just a nice day out, and I'm sure she'd find something to do while you're in there. Plus it's always nice to come out with the feeling of relief and have someone to hug you and say "well done". I personally went and stayed in the Travelodge with my Dad the night before, but I went to the interviews alone while he wandered around.

Reply 9

Dynasty

All my mates are getting driven there by their parents, mine can't be arsed to drive me so I'm getting the train alone. Gonna take about 4 hours each way, but I get overnight accommodation in the college :smile:

Reply 10

Poet on the Rock

Travelling with a mate whos got an interview the same day

Reply 11

DarkWhite

I'm going alone. I wouldn't bring my Mum... I'm still finding it difficult explaining the whole University application process to her as it is, without her asking why I've got 2 interviews and a TSA. I might be tempted to bring my girlfriend, but I wouldn't want her to take a day off school and then not see me for half the day.

Reply 12

GuitarMilesy

Yeah I went alone - Norwich to Cambridge, then onto London for the night before going to Imperial the next day!

Going on your own is waaaayy better - it's an adventure!!

Reply 13

Glutamic Acid

Yes. My family irritate me.

Reply 14

purple-girl

My dad's planning to take me, drop me at the college, and then leave me alone till everything's done, when he'll pick me up and take me back to London (staying with grandmother there). Hopefully I'll meet people to stick around with for the day :tongue:

Reply 15

smilepea

It's decidedly odd when people have their parents with them in the jcr :s-smilie:

Reply 16

zef99

smilepea

It's decidedly odd when people have their parents with them in the jcr :s-smilie:

This happens?

Reply 17

gruntsneedlove

I went alone, flew out from Dublin on Monday, discovered thanks to protesters at Stansted my flight was cancelled, panic at having no money nor access to money, relief at being given a free seat on another flight by Ryanair. Funnily enough I found it easier travelling England than getting out of Ireland...

Reply 18

Jigglypuff

smilepea

It's decidedly odd when people have their parents with them in the jcr :s-smilie:

Not really...I told mine to wait in there while I had my test and interview as it's somewhere warm to wait. It's pretty common. Probably more this year I've noticed, than the year I applied (2005).

OP, my parents drove me up. It was just one less thing to worry about (train would have been a bit of hassle for me...I would have had to have switched at London etc). Whoever you bring up can wander around Cambridge or sit in the JCR.

Reply 19

Pingy

I went alone by train and changed the trains twice. It took me 30 mins to walk from Train station to Trinity, and when I got back the train from Peterborough to Leeds was cancelled so I stayed in the station for an hour, and got home at 11pm :frown:

.
Bring someone with you won't change the situation and also It's really easy to spot someone who's also applying and the journey wasn't boring at all.