Cambridge rejection before interview
Please can I have some help to come to terms with a Cambridge rejection? Not being invited to interview hurts as it means they've filtered me out as part of the bottom 20% of applicants. I feel like they've cut me out before giving me a proper chance without getting an interview and it's gutting..
My entrance exam score must have been too low since I felt the rest of my application was strong, and I hoped the Cambridge holistic process would be more forgiving..
My entrance exam score must have been too low since I felt the rest of my application was strong, and I hoped the Cambridge holistic process would be more forgiving..
Reply 1
Original post
by AnonymousPlease can I have some help to come to terms with a Cambridge rejection? Not being invited to interview hurts as it means they've filtered me out as part of the bottom 20% of applicants. I feel like they've cut me out before giving me a proper chance without getting an interview and it's gutting..
My entrance exam score must have been too low since I felt the rest of my application was strong, and I hoped the Cambridge holistic process would be more forgiving..
My entrance exam score must have been too low since I felt the rest of my application was strong, and I hoped the Cambridge holistic process would be more forgiving..
Bad luck, but events most 'holistic' process will always reject some, or it wouldn't be a process, it would just be 100% interviews. The issue is usually that being in the top 'tiny %' in school does not read across to the national/international applicant pool.
But Cambridge isn't the only uni, if you have strong predictions, then there will be a host of other excellent universities where you can flourish and be successful.
Reply 2
Original post
by threeportdriftBad luck, but events most 'holistic' process will always reject some, or it wouldn't be a process, it would just be 100% interviews. The issue is usually that being in the top 'tiny %' in school does not read across to the national/international applicant pool.
But Cambridge isn't the only uni, if you have strong predictions, then there will be a host of other excellent universities where you can flourish and be successful.
But Cambridge isn't the only uni, if you have strong predictions, then there will be a host of other excellent universities where you can flourish and be successful.
Thank you for your reply
You're right, it's such a talented cohort but it came like a punch in the gut! I'll be happy whatever uni I end up at, thank you for reminding me of that😊
Reply 3
11
It’s three years since I entered the uni application process (2 times during the pandemic), and I found the whole process to be a ‘punch in the gut’ as you phrase it.
I did apply to Cambridge and got an interview, but it was a belittling experience to be honest. I concluded, maybe wrongly, that you need a lot of help to get in there.
You can’t start by applying at the start of y13. You need to show that you have spent all your holls and free time reading and studying - for a few years back. Olympiads, societies, special trips etc. Did Boris Johnson really have a great interest in the British museum or did his eton masters tell him to do it for just this reason?
If your personal statement didn’t reflect this, it may be why you were overlooked. It may not be a bad thing in time, but it’s easy for me to say that.
All the best for the future, and stay positive.
I did apply to Cambridge and got an interview, but it was a belittling experience to be honest. I concluded, maybe wrongly, that you need a lot of help to get in there.
You can’t start by applying at the start of y13. You need to show that you have spent all your holls and free time reading and studying - for a few years back. Olympiads, societies, special trips etc. Did Boris Johnson really have a great interest in the British museum or did his eton masters tell him to do it for just this reason?
If your personal statement didn’t reflect this, it may be why you were overlooked. It may not be a bad thing in time, but it’s easy for me to say that.
All the best for the future, and stay positive.
Reply 4
I think at that stage everyone applying will have great grades, ps, extracurriculars etc. At that point the next thing to look at is admissions tests if ur course had one, so that might be the reason
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