Should I apply to Cambridge?

Hi everyone,
I have just received my results and I meet the requirements to apply for engineering at Cambridge. However, I am hesitant to do so as I already have an offer for mechanical engineering at Manchester next year. If I am going to try apply at Cambridge it would mean giving up my offer at Manchester, which I am worried I might not get again since my chances at getting into Cambridge are very small anyways as my grades were A*A*AB in maths, physics, further maths and history. I am very excited to go to Manchester but I also wonder whether it's a good idea to just give Cambridge a shot and see what happens. Is it worth risking my current offer and going through the entire application process again for this or should I just go ahead with Manchester since it is already confirmed?

you could try to ask manchester for deferred entry. this would mean that you keep your offer, and if you do get rejected by cambridge next year, you can always just go to manchester

Hi everyone,
I have just received my results and I meet the requirements to apply for engineering at Cambridge. However, I am hesitant to do so as I already have an offer for mechanical engineering at Manchester next year. If I am going to try apply at Cambridge it would mean giving up my offer at Manchester, which I am worried I might not get again since my chances at getting into Cambridge are very small anyways as my grades were A*A*AB in maths, physics, further maths and history. I am very excited to go to Manchester but I also wonder whether it's a good idea to just give Cambridge a shot and see what happens. Is it worth risking my current offer and going through the entire application process again for this or should I just go ahead with Manchester since it is already confirmed?

If you decide to apply for Cambridge, you should be aware that there is a possibility that neither Cambridge nor Manchester will give you an offer this year. Why do you want to apply to Cambridge other than meeting the entry requirements?

Yes I am aware of this which is what makes me hesistant to apply. I was considering Cambridge mainly because of their tutoring system and also the advantage having a degree from Cambridge gives you when looking for employment, which as an international student I believe is very important. However, I believe I will enjoy Manchester more as it is a mechanical engineering degree rather than the general engineering degree offered by Cambridge and I think I will enjoy living in Manchester more. Trying to decide between the two has been difficult as I can't figure out which of these aspects of both univerisities are more important to me.

While the tutorial system may be beneficial (depending on how you learn best), it’s important to study a degree that you will thoroughly enjoy. Regardless of the prestige attached to going to an institution like Cambridge, Manchester has a very good international reputation, so if you prefer their course, going to Manchester as opposed to Cambridge (assuming you receive an offer) won’t actually make much of a difference in terms of your employment prospects. It’s also important to think about where you’d be living; ultimately, your environment will have an impact on your performance. You are more likely to do well in the course you enjoy most and the city/university you would be most comfortable in. If that’s Manchester, then go there. You could always look into postgraduate studies at Cambridge after your undergraduate degree at Manchester, if you still want to go. Applying to Cambridge is a big decision, but putting yourself through another application cycle when you have a place at a university that you would be quite happy to go to is an even bigger one. Please take the time to think this through carefully. Best of luck to you

Hi everyone,
I have just received my results and I meet the requirements to apply for engineering at Cambridge. However, I am hesitant to do so as I already have an offer for mechanical engineering at Manchester next year. If I am going to try apply at Cambridge it would mean giving up my offer at Manchester, which I am worried I might not get again since my chances at getting into Cambridge are very small anyways as my grades were A*A*AB in maths, physics, further maths and history. I am very excited to go to Manchester but I also wonder whether it's a good idea to just give Cambridge a shot and see what happens. Is it worth risking my current offer and going through the entire application process again for this or should I just go ahead with Manchester since it is already confirmed?

You can’t hold a deferred place and apply during the next admissions cycle. The OP would have to decline their place at Manchester if they wanted to apply to Cambridge this year.