Should I take a year out? Advice please :)
I appreciate there have been a lot of these threads the past few days, but I was hoping for some advice! Sorry it’s a long one…
I was rejected from Cambridge University for English on the 30th, I was pooled but no college picked me up and I am not eligible for August Reconsideration.
My plan if I was rejected was to take a place at Durham instead for my undergraduate degree, but the fact that I was pooled has changed my perspective a bit. If I got 3xA* (which I am predicted) on results day I’d feel tempted to go for it again. I am so passionate about my subject, and the course, city, and supervision style of Cambridge felt perfect to me.
I also realise that if you’re taking a year out, it can’t solely be to re-apply, and I know I would not waste the opportunity of a gap year. I enjoy volunteering, working and travelling (I have pretty full on summers!) and would take full advantage of all the opportunities a gap year would bring. Not to mention, I would have my grades in hand, no A levels to contend with, and be familiar with the process (I went into it a bit blind originally).
Finally, with grades in hand, I’d feel comfortable applying some different universities to what I originally applied for.
I realise this post is cliché and timely, but some advice would be much appreciated.
@Scotney
@Oxford Mum
I was rejected from Cambridge University for English on the 30th, I was pooled but no college picked me up and I am not eligible for August Reconsideration.
My plan if I was rejected was to take a place at Durham instead for my undergraduate degree, but the fact that I was pooled has changed my perspective a bit. If I got 3xA* (which I am predicted) on results day I’d feel tempted to go for it again. I am so passionate about my subject, and the course, city, and supervision style of Cambridge felt perfect to me.
I also realise that if you’re taking a year out, it can’t solely be to re-apply, and I know I would not waste the opportunity of a gap year. I enjoy volunteering, working and travelling (I have pretty full on summers!) and would take full advantage of all the opportunities a gap year would bring. Not to mention, I would have my grades in hand, no A levels to contend with, and be familiar with the process (I went into it a bit blind originally).
Finally, with grades in hand, I’d feel comfortable applying some different universities to what I originally applied for.
I realise this post is cliché and timely, but some advice would be much appreciated.
@Scotney
@Oxford Mum
Reply 1
Hello, as someone currently at Cambridge, I feel inclined to mention that, to me, Oxbridge is a metaphor for the Wizard of Oz. From an outsider's perspective, it seems magical and worth sacrificing everything for, but once you get to the Emerald City, you see that a lot of is a facade/ unrealised expectations. Yes, it is one of the greatest universities in the world and studying here is fun, but it is REALLY hard work and, speaking anecdotally, there are a lot of people here suffering from poor mental health. As someone who applied to Oxbridge four times (four offers but deferred due to ill health), it would be hypocritical of me to discourage you but I do think it's important to consider what you want from your uni experience. If you're prepared to work unbelievably hard (alongside great people may I add!) then I'd recommend re-applying, but if you're feeling burned out after A-levels then maybe Durham might fulfil your desires a bit more.
P.S. This isn't a negative account of Cambridge, just a realistic one 🙂
P.S. This isn't a negative account of Cambridge, just a realistic one 🙂
Reply 2
Original post
by Confused_dotcomI appreciate there have been a lot of these threads the past few days, but I was hoping for some advice! Sorry it’s a long one…
I was rejected from Cambridge University for English on the 30th, I was pooled but no college picked me up and I am not eligible for August Reconsideration.
My plan if I was rejected was to take a place at Durham instead for my undergraduate degree, but the fact that I was pooled has changed my perspective a bit. If I got 3xA* (which I am predicted) on results day I’d feel tempted to go for it again. I am so passionate about my subject, and the course, city, and supervision style of Cambridge felt perfect to me.
I also realise that if you’re taking a year out, it can’t solely be to re-apply, and I know I would not waste the opportunity of a gap year. I enjoy volunteering, working and travelling (I have pretty full on summers!) and would take full advantage of all the opportunities a gap year would bring. Not to mention, I would have my grades in hand, no A levels to contend with, and be familiar with the process (I went into it a bit blind originally).
Finally, with grades in hand, I’d feel comfortable applying some different universities to what I originally applied for.
I realise this post is cliché and timely, but some advice would be much appreciated.
@Scotney
@Oxford Mum
I was rejected from Cambridge University for English on the 30th, I was pooled but no college picked me up and I am not eligible for August Reconsideration.
My plan if I was rejected was to take a place at Durham instead for my undergraduate degree, but the fact that I was pooled has changed my perspective a bit. If I got 3xA* (which I am predicted) on results day I’d feel tempted to go for it again. I am so passionate about my subject, and the course, city, and supervision style of Cambridge felt perfect to me.
I also realise that if you’re taking a year out, it can’t solely be to re-apply, and I know I would not waste the opportunity of a gap year. I enjoy volunteering, working and travelling (I have pretty full on summers!) and would take full advantage of all the opportunities a gap year would bring. Not to mention, I would have my grades in hand, no A levels to contend with, and be familiar with the process (I went into it a bit blind originally).
Finally, with grades in hand, I’d feel comfortable applying some different universities to what I originally applied for.
I realise this post is cliché and timely, but some advice would be much appreciated.
@Scotney
@Oxford Mum
Now isn't the time to be faffing with this. Work hard for your A levels, achieve the best grades you can, and if you've got at least the entry requirements in hand, have a think then. You've got from mid August to mid September to make a reasoned decision, in time to start at Durham, or get an application in for mid October for Cambridge.
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