Lucy Cavendish Cambridge CS Vs Imperial JMC

Hi. When I started UCAS, I applied for Cambridge cs and Imperial JMC (joint maths and computing). I wasn't sure which one I preferred and thought I'd worry about it only if I get offers for both. Now I'm worrying about it. I ended up getting an offer from imperial but getting rejected from Cambridge. After a lot of work on my a levels and step, I met my imperial offer, but surprisingly found out today that I've got an offer from Lucy Cavendish in Cambridge from the summer pool. Now idk what to choose, and I have till Monday to decide. Ik I can't rlly go wrong here, and it feels like choosing between a Ferrari and Lamborghini but I could use some advice.

Imperial Joint Maths and Computing advantages:
- I really like the course content and I like maths, idk much about what exactly is in the Cambridge course but it's supposed to be really good too (I think it is similar)
- maybe graduate prospects are better - data is a bit mixed about this though
- London has more stuff to do
- I have a lot of good friends studying in London
- Lucy Cavendish came last in Cambridge college rankings 💀 (the building still looks nice and all and this doesn't affect teaching)

Cambridge Computer Science advantages:
- Cambridge (reputation)
- It has tutorials and more personalized teaching
- It also apparently has a nice course that is more well rounded in computer science than imperial's joint course (and there will still be some maths in it)
- Less stressful course (I've heard jmc at imperial is quite challenging and time consuming)
- I won't be broke (London is expensive)
- Unique experience with all the old buildings and college traditions and stuff
- It's more tightly knit as there are much less students

I'd say I also did work hard on the admissions exams for imperial so it feels weird if all that went to nothing if I pick Cambridge (but I guess I worked hard for the Cambridge exam too though step is harder).

Reply 1

melancollege

Universities Forum Helper

I wouldn't discount Cambridge because of the college. Academically speaking, you will have pretty much an identical experience regardless of the college as lectures and course content is organised centrally. Lucy Cavendish also have some advantages, such as longer room lets.

Also, Cambridge Computer Science has a lot of Maths in it and this is coming from a Maths student, especially the theoretical Computer Science part. The Computer Science students also seem to have really good career prospects, especially regarding quant and other highly-competitive jobs. Jane Street, for example, now take more compscis than mathmos.

As for the other advantages of London, such as friends and things to do, I can't really advise you. The college system is really great for making friends but I don't know how important it is for you to already know people. I didn't know anyone originally and I was absolutely fine. There are also a lot of societies in Cambridge.

I wouldn't want to say which you should do either way but I wouldn't discount Cambridge immediately, and many of your advantages of Imperial also apply to Cambridge.

Reply 2

threeportdrift

Careers Forum Helper

Original post by ab487

Hi. When I started UCAS, I applied for Cambridge cs and Imperial JMC (joint maths and computing). I wasn't sure which one I preferred and thought I'd worry about it only if I get offers for both. Now I'm worrying about it. I ended up getting an offer from imperial but getting rejected from Cambridge. After a lot of work on my a levels and step, I met my imperial offer, but surprisingly found out today that I've got an offer from Lucy Cavendish in Cambridge from the summer pool. Now idk what to choose, and I have till Monday to decide. Ik I can't rlly go wrong here, and it feels like choosing between a Ferrari and Lamborghini but I could use some advice.
Imperial Joint Maths and Computing advantages:
- I really like the course content and I like maths, idk much about what exactly is in the Cambridge course but it's supposed to be really good too (I think it is similar)
- maybe graduate prospects are better - data is a bit mixed about this though
- London has more stuff to do
- I have a lot of good friends studying in London
- Lucy Cavendish came last in Cambridge college rankings 💀 (the building still looks nice and all and this doesn't affect teaching)
Cambridge Computer Science advantages:
- Cambridge (reputation)
- It has tutorials and more personalized teaching
- It also apparently has a nice course that is more well rounded in computer science than imperial's joint course (and there will still be some maths in it)
- Less stressful course (I've heard jmc at imperial is quite challenging and time consuming)
- I won't be broke (London is expensive)
- Unique experience with all the old buildings and college traditions and stuff
- It's more tightly knit as there are much less students
I'd say I also did work hard on the admissions exams for imperial so it feels weird if all that went to nothing if I pick Cambridge (but I guess I worked hard for the Cambridge exam too though step is harder).

Your question seems to have a subtext that you hesitation is about Lucy Cav. Lucy Cav is a super College, and convenient for Computing and town, while being on top of neither. It's a good College, which has recently gone co-ed, so is going through a big period of change. 'Past performance is no indication of future performance' as they say. It's Cambridge v Imperial that is the dilemma. Lucy Cav is just where you will live if you choose Cam.