Will it be fine to decline my cambridge offer this year and reapply next year?
So... i have gotten the offer for cam maths for 2025 entry, and I am now considering turning it down and taking on a gap year.
My interest in maths developed quite recently and I feel that I lack the knowledge and experience in maths to be successful in cambridge, so I want to self study maths (+learn how to code) during the gap year. I also want to work in quant finance but haven't done any serious olympiads prep, and I think studying olympiad material during the gap year would strengthen my problem solving skills immensely as well as being beneficial for future job prospects.
I would also be able to save money, read books and do whatever I want during the gap year and I feel that I wouldn't have a chance to do so in my life if I went to uni😭 Also at this moment I am regretting over my choice of college, so with better information I think I will be able to make wiser choice next year.
I have 8.4 tmua and I think i will be able to achieve 5A* and 1,1 in STEP this year (maybe S if im lucky enough) so I'm pretty sure there is no problem in meeting my conditions right now.
Is there anyone who had gone through a similar process?
Do you think these stats would assure my chance of getting an offer next year if I reapplied? Do they discriminate against the people who previously declined the offer? Any info or advice would be greatly appreciated!
My interest in maths developed quite recently and I feel that I lack the knowledge and experience in maths to be successful in cambridge, so I want to self study maths (+learn how to code) during the gap year. I also want to work in quant finance but haven't done any serious olympiads prep, and I think studying olympiad material during the gap year would strengthen my problem solving skills immensely as well as being beneficial for future job prospects.
I would also be able to save money, read books and do whatever I want during the gap year and I feel that I wouldn't have a chance to do so in my life if I went to uni😭 Also at this moment I am regretting over my choice of college, so with better information I think I will be able to make wiser choice next year.
I have 8.4 tmua and I think i will be able to achieve 5A* and 1,1 in STEP this year (maybe S if im lucky enough) so I'm pretty sure there is no problem in meeting my conditions right now.
Is there anyone who had gone through a similar process?
Do you think these stats would assure my chance of getting an offer next year if I reapplied? Do they discriminate against the people who previously declined the offer? Any info or advice would be greatly appreciated!
Reply 1
21
Original post
by AnonymousSo... i have gotten the offer for cam maths for 2025 entry, and I am now considering turning it down and taking on a gap year.
My interest in maths developed quite recently and I feel that I lack the knowledge and experience in maths to be successful in cambridge, so I want to self study maths (+learn how to code) during the gap year. I also want to work in quant finance but haven't done any serious olympiads prep, and I think studying olympiad material during the gap year would strengthen my problem solving skills immensely as well as being beneficial for future job prospects.
I would also be able to save money, read books and do whatever I want during the gap year and I feel that I wouldn't have a chance to do so in my life if I went to uni😭 Also at this moment I am regretting over my choice of college, so with better information I think I will be able to make wiser choice next year.
I have 8.4 tmua and I think i will be able to achieve 5A* and 1,1 in STEP this year (maybe S if im lucky enough) so I'm pretty sure there is no problem in meeting my conditions right now.
Is there anyone who had gone through a similar process?
Do you think these stats would assure my chance of getting an offer next year if I reapplied? Do they discriminate against the people who previously declined the offer? Any info or advice would be greatly appreciated!
My interest in maths developed quite recently and I feel that I lack the knowledge and experience in maths to be successful in cambridge, so I want to self study maths (+learn how to code) during the gap year. I also want to work in quant finance but haven't done any serious olympiads prep, and I think studying olympiad material during the gap year would strengthen my problem solving skills immensely as well as being beneficial for future job prospects.
I would also be able to save money, read books and do whatever I want during the gap year and I feel that I wouldn't have a chance to do so in my life if I went to uni😭 Also at this moment I am regretting over my choice of college, so with better information I think I will be able to make wiser choice next year.
I have 8.4 tmua and I think i will be able to achieve 5A* and 1,1 in STEP this year (maybe S if im lucky enough) so I'm pretty sure there is no problem in meeting my conditions right now.
Is there anyone who had gone through a similar process?
Do you think these stats would assure my chance of getting an offer next year if I reapplied? Do they discriminate against the people who previously declined the offer? Any info or advice would be greatly appreciated!
I doubt the olympiad stuff would have much affect on any future job prospects and its not that relevant for the ug degree. Its arguably most useful for the application/interview which you seem to have got through. If you got an offer this year, they must think youre at a suitable level. Similarly, not sure what problem/benefit you think youd have with your current/different college. Its the same degree. I guess finally there are no guarantees that if you got accepted this year, youd be accepted next.
But at the end of the day its your decision and if youre applying to a different college, there shouldnt be any discrimination/knowledge of a previous application.
Reply 2
Original post
by mqb2766I doubt the olympiad stuff would have much affect on any future job prospects and its not that relevant for the ug degree. Its arguably most useful for the application/interview which you seem to have got through. If you got an offer this year, they must think youre at a suitable level. Similarly, not sure what problem/benefit you think youd have with your current/different college. Its the same degree. I guess finally there are no guarantees that if you got accepted this year, youd be accepted next.
But at the end of the day its your decision and if youre applying to a different college, there shouldnt be any discrimination/knowledge of a previous application.
But at the end of the day its your decision and if youre applying to a different college, there shouldnt be any discrimination/knowledge of a previous application.
Thank you for replying. For the olympiads part, I've seen on the internet that quant firms often require rigorous interviews that require probability/combinatorics olympiads knowledge, although I have to admit that I don't know about the process that deeply.
I have applied to one of the most popular colleges and was pooled to another one thats small and modern. My school right now is quite small and I am kinda sick of this claustrophobic atmosphere so I really wanted to be in a college that has a large student body and varieties of societies to sign up. (And which my college isn't)
Anyway I'll have to take the exams and wait until the results come out to really decide on what I would do next, and it's hopeful to hear that I would still have a choice then-as they wouldn't reject me just because I have previously declined the offer.
Original post
by AnonymousThank you for replying. For the olympiads part, I've seen on the internet that quant firms often require rigorous interviews that require probability/combinatorics olympiads knowledge, although I have to admit that I don't know about the process that deeply.
I have applied to one of the most popular colleges and was pooled to another one thats small and modern. My school right now is quite small and I am kinda sick of this claustrophobic atmosphere so I really wanted to be in a college that has a large student body and varieties of societies to sign up. (And which my college isn't)
Anyway I'll have to take the exams and wait until the results come out to really decide on what I would do next, and it's hopeful to hear that I would still have a choice then-as they wouldn't reject me just because I have previously declined the offer.
I have applied to one of the most popular colleges and was pooled to another one thats small and modern. My school right now is quite small and I am kinda sick of this claustrophobic atmosphere so I really wanted to be in a college that has a large student body and varieties of societies to sign up. (And which my college isn't)
Anyway I'll have to take the exams and wait until the results come out to really decide on what I would do next, and it's hopeful to hear that I would still have a choice then-as they wouldn't reject me just because I have previously declined the offer.
If you apply to a different college than the ones you applied to and got an offer from, they wouldn't know that you'd applied.
However, it would be of very little use to take a gap year just to practice olympiad-style Maths. Quant firms sometimes do ask those sorts of questions but many of them don't and you would be much better placed to take up your offer and join something like the Algorithmic Trading Society and practice with them rather than try and guess what would be relevant with A-Level knowledge alone or worse, not get an offer the second time.
Note also that sometimes they do ask gap year applicants to meet a higher offer, often S,1, even if they've already made their STEP offer. There is no guarantee that just because you've received and met an offer this time around that you will do the same next year.
Reply 4
21
Original post
by AnonymousThank you for replying. For the olympiads part, I've seen on the internet that quant firms often require rigorous interviews that require probability/combinatorics olympiads knowledge, although I have to admit that I don't know about the process that deeply.
I have applied to one of the most popular colleges and was pooled to another one thats small and modern. My school right now is quite small and I am kinda sick of this claustrophobic atmosphere so I really wanted to be in a college that has a large student body and varieties of societies to sign up. (And which my college isn't)
Anyway I'll have to take the exams and wait until the results come out to really decide on what I would do next, and it's hopeful to hear that I would still have a choice then-as they wouldn't reject me just because I have previously declined the offer.
I have applied to one of the most popular colleges and was pooled to another one thats small and modern. My school right now is quite small and I am kinda sick of this claustrophobic atmosphere so I really wanted to be in a college that has a large student body and varieties of societies to sign up. (And which my college isn't)
Anyway I'll have to take the exams and wait until the results come out to really decide on what I would do next, and it's hopeful to hear that I would still have a choice then-as they wouldn't reject me just because I have previously declined the offer.
Theres not a great deal of probabilty on the (uk) olympiads and the core combinatorics stuff isnt that hard to pick up. You should be able to pick up a book and just get stuck into it over the summer, if you really want to.
College wise, some of the smaller colleges get together for teams and I believe you can often join societies in other colleges/the uni. A more modern college sometimes means the rooms are a bit better, but it obviously depends on which one. I cant help think youre overthinking it a bit.
Reply 5
How sure are you that Cambridge will make an offer next year?
Reply 6
21
Original post
by DisishdhYes probably, I tend to overthink a lot. Other than practicing olympiads I wanted to study the uni level maths itself, but I doubt it will be successful. Maybe I could try to learn them as a taster after the A level exams if I still wanted to reapply. I don’t think I should be that confident to decline the offer if my STEP grades weren’t so excellent, so I guess I’ll have to put this affair aside until I take the exams and receive the results.
Sure. Most kids will be worried about their step grades at this point, so as you say just get on with them then decide. Whether your grades are 1,1 or S,S is really just an extra question and a bit. But the first year isnt too bad and youd have some time to do a bit extra stuff, if you really wanted to, as well as in the summer.
Reply 7
Original post
by DisishdhNot so sure
If they accept the candidates objectively based on their abilities, then I guess if I can get S,S in STEP this year and then practice maths & problem solving consistently then I stand a decent (firm?) chance of getting an offer. I’ve decided to stop thinking about this and only consider reapplying if I get such grades.
If they accept the candidates objectively based on their abilities, then I guess if I can get S,S in STEP this year and then practice maths & problem solving consistently then I stand a decent (firm?) chance of getting an offer. I’ve decided to stop thinking about this and only consider reapplying if I get such grades.In that case think wisely?
Reply 8
There is no need to overthink at this stage. Half of the offer holders are unable to meet the grades required by Cambridge Maths.
Reply 9
Could you maybe try and negotiate and ask to defer and say that you’ll do the step next year (and maybe this year)
So you get your place as long as you do the step next year?? This just allows you to skip the interview and application stuff.
So you get your place as long as you do the step next year?? This just allows you to skip the interview and application stuff.
(edited 1 year ago)
Reply 10
Original post
by DisishdhYeah that would be the best way if I wanted to take a gap year, but I am too greedy that I'm thinking if I could get some superb grades in STEP and pre-study the uni material and then reapply to another college I'll be better off at the uni😅 Thanks for your advice tho
I personally would just do what I said if you want to take a gap year. But if you want a different college, reapply if you want to, but just know you might end up with no offer.
Reply 11
16
Original post
by DisishdhYeah that would be the best way if I wanted to take a gap year, but I am too greedy that I'm thinking if I could get some superb grades in STEP and pre-study the uni material and then reapply to another college I'll be better off at the uni😅 Thanks for your advice tho
You're doing a serious amount of overthinking here!
You've no guarantee of meeting this year's offer, so wait for results day!
If you reapply, there's no guarantee of getting an offer again. If you meet this year's offer with 1,1 in STEP, another offer might be for S,1 (for example) and you might not meet that.
Even if you apply for a different college, you might get pooled again and end up with the same college you ended up with this year, or another "small" college!
There's fundamentally no difference between colleges regarding how/what you are taught at Cambridge. Trinity is over-subscribed and best avoided, and some colleges are farther out from the centre if you don't cycle or want to be in a central location, but otherwise it really doesn't matter.
And worrying about job interview content is really premature at this stage - you want to see how the degree goes first, and whether you still have the same interests after a couple of years.
Reply 12
Original post
by AnonymousSo... i have gotten the offer for cam maths for 2025 entry, and I am now considering turning it down and taking on a gap year.
My interest in maths developed quite recently and I feel that I lack the knowledge and experience in maths to be successful in cambridge, so I want to self study maths (+learn how to code) during the gap year. I also want to work in quant finance but haven't done any serious olympiads prep, and I think studying olympiad material during the gap year would strengthen my problem solving skills immensely as well as being beneficial for future job prospects.
I would also be able to save money, read books and do whatever I want during the gap year and I feel that I wouldn't have a chance to do so in my life if I went to uni😭 Also at this moment I am regretting over my choice of college, so with better information I think I will be able to make wiser choice next year.
I have 8.4 tmua and I think i will be able to achieve 5A* and 1,1 in STEP this year (maybe S if im lucky enough) so I'm pretty sure there is no problem in meeting my conditions right now.
Is there anyone who had gone through a similar process?
Do you think these stats would assure my chance of getting an offer next year if I reapplied? Do they discriminate against the people who previously declined the offer? Any info or advice would be greatly appreciated!
My interest in maths developed quite recently and I feel that I lack the knowledge and experience in maths to be successful in cambridge, so I want to self study maths (+learn how to code) during the gap year. I also want to work in quant finance but haven't done any serious olympiads prep, and I think studying olympiad material during the gap year would strengthen my problem solving skills immensely as well as being beneficial for future job prospects.
I would also be able to save money, read books and do whatever I want during the gap year and I feel that I wouldn't have a chance to do so in my life if I went to uni😭 Also at this moment I am regretting over my choice of college, so with better information I think I will be able to make wiser choice next year.
I have 8.4 tmua and I think i will be able to achieve 5A* and 1,1 in STEP this year (maybe S if im lucky enough) so I'm pretty sure there is no problem in meeting my conditions right now.
Is there anyone who had gone through a similar process?
Do you think these stats would assure my chance of getting an offer next year if I reapplied? Do they discriminate against the people who previously declined the offer? Any info or advice would be greatly appreciated!
I think the real reason that you are not so keen on Cambridge this year is your college allocation. Hence, you are rationalising that decision by claiming that other activities could help you, which I strongly doubt.
First of all, nothing is guaranteed. You could reapply next year and be rejected outright. That would be the biggest own goal of your life. You could also apply and receive that same college.
Second, you can self-study maths and learn to code at Cambridge. There are loads of opportunities across the university to improve your skills through clubs, societies and departmental initiatives. Besides, you would be learning from some of the best minds there than by yourself.
Finally, you have a top opportunity that is yours for the taking. I suggest that you move past any doubts and focus on your exams then prep for a life in Cambridge from this Autumn.
Reply 13
Original post
by lanky_giraffeCould you maybe try and negotiate and ask to defer and say that you’ll do the step next year (and maybe this year)
So you get your place as long as you do the step next year?? This just allows you to skip the interview and application stuff.
So you get your place as long as you do the step next year?? This just allows you to skip the interview and application stuff.
The offer conditions would have to be met by 31st August.
Reply 14
Original post
by melancollegeThe offer conditions would have to be met by 31st August.
I mean, they could meet the offer conditions on the 31st of August 2025 and August 31st 2026, no?
Reply 15
Original post
by lanky_giraffeIs there no wiggle room for maths applicants wanting to defer?
I mean, they could meet the offer conditions on the 31st of August 2025 and August 31st 2026, no?
I mean, they could meet the offer conditions on the 31st of August 2025 and August 31st 2026, no?
They could ask to defer but they would still need to meet their offer conditions by 31st August this year.
Getting permission to defer is not as common for Maths since there is a real danger of 'going rusty' with Maths.
Reply 16
I think that the idea of turning down one Cambridge college in order to try to get into another Cambridge college is one of the most bonkers things I have seen on this very bonkers forum.
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