should i apply to cambridge?

im in yr 12 and id love to study engineering at cambridge but im worried my gcse grades aren't up to standard. they're good grades but most people at my voluntary grammar school got the same and plenty got better than me. i also didn't excel in subjects that are necessary for cambridge eng like physics and maths. and im not taking further maths even though my school offers it because my school had a requirement to get A*A* in maths and further maths gcse. the a-levels im taking rn are maths, physics, chemistry and biology. im doing some engineering work experience this june and i take part in supercurricular things like the ukroc competition.

here are my gcse grades (my exam board uses A*-G not 9-1):
math- A
further math- A
english lit- A
english lang- A
spanish- A*
religious studies- A*
art and design- A
physics- A
chemistry- A
biology- A*

im doing well in a-level maths but i want to improve my maths skills so they're more on par with undergraduate engineering level. i dont know if i should try to arrange something with my school so i can sit further maths next year? apparently 96% of successful applicants had further maths even though its not required.

i know things like esat, personal statement and interviews are important but i dont know if i should even apply in the first place, like idk if i would even get an interview bc i seem sort of average against the standard of my school. i was eligible for fsm for years and i used to live in a rlly poor area until mid way thru yr10, but since i dont anymore im not eligible for lots of contextual stuff.

if i was able to apply to as many courses as i want i would just go for it but if its unrealistic then i dont want to waste a spot on my ucas.

Reply 1

RosieJones29

apply! your gcses are definitely up to standard, as long as you got a/a*s they don't care and wont really look at them. a-levels, esat, interviews etc. are more important than gcses, and cambridge should also look at contextual things. it seems like taking further maths would be sensible though, if possible. either way, applying for cambridge only takes one spot out of five on your applications, so theres no harm in it. it sounds like you should definitely get into other decent unis anyway. just make sure you apply to a mix of other unis (e.g. 1 high russel, 2 low russel, and 1 non russel) to be safe! good luck 🙂

Reply 2

Muttley79

Original post by Anonymous

im in yr 12 and id love to study engineering at cambridge but im worried my gcse grades aren't up to standard. they're good grades but most people at my voluntary grammar school got the same and plenty got better than me. i also didn't excel in subjects that are necessary for cambridge eng like physics and maths. and im not taking further maths even though my school offers it because my school had a requirement to get A*A* in maths and further maths gcse. the a-levels im taking rn are maths, physics, chemistry and biology. im doing some engineering work experience this june and i take part in supercurricular things like the ukroc competition.
here are my gcse grades (my exam board uses A*-G not 9-1):
math- A
further math- A
english lit- A
english lang- A
spanish- A*
religious studies- A*
art and design- A
physics- A
chemistry- A
biology- A*
im doing well in a-level maths but i want to improve my maths skills so they're more on par with undergraduate engineering level. i dont know if i should try to arrange something with my school so i can sit further maths next year? apparently 96% of successful applicants had further maths even though its not required.
i know things like esat, personal statement and interviews are important but i dont know if i should even apply in the first place, like idk if i would even get an interview bc i seem sort of average against the standard of my school. i was eligible for fsm for years and i used to live in a rlly poor area until mid way thru yr10, but since i dont anymore im not eligible for lots of contextual stuff.
if i was able to apply to as many courses as i want i would just go for it but if its unrealistic then i dont want to waste a spot on my ucas.

The lack of FMaths may be more of an issue. Cambridge say 'A level Further Mathematics is very strongly encouraged' and your school does offer it.

My top students now look elsewhere as it's not the best course if you want to be an Engineer - they don't offer a year in industry for example.