Senior maths challenge vs intermediate olympiad

Btw, its fine to do these 'competitions' etc, but just be aware that they are not going to make any difference to your UCAS application - whatever your school tries to tell you. Unis generally just ignore them, simply because not all schools can offer this and because in their eyes it doesn't actually mean you will be a 'better student' at University.

Man, I did loads of competitions and virtual work experience, thinking it would boost my UCAS application. I think they do boost as they are super-curricular activities and related to my uni course

First of all, I am not your 'Man', and secondly what evidence do you have that they made any difference to your University application.

I did intermediate challenge and senior maths challenge, even without any preparation I got bronze in both, I assume intermediate Olympiad is probably harder then senior maths challenge

What about intermediate olympiad vs senior kangaroo?

Sorry about that. I just meant it casually.
About the competitions and work experience — they come under super-curricular activities. When an Oxford representative visited my college, they said they focus a lot on super-curriculars in the personal statement. My principal, who studied at Oxford, also told us the same.

Universities will be more impressed by evidence of your interest in the degree subject that relies on your own initiative, not just 'my school told me to'. Unis are very aware that not all applicants come from the sort of school that enables this, another reason to just ignore 'medals'.
Your PS is not just a list of 'things I've done'. Its how you reflect on any additional stuff you have done and what you have learnt from it that has shifted your intellectual intrigue beyond just the A level syllabus that is important, and how you explain this in your PS. 'I got a bronze in a Maths competition' doesn't show this, and doesnt mark you out as being in any way different to all the others who did it.

I thought virtual work experience can help with applications if it's relevant what you want to study, eg: something on sustainability if you want to go into geography or env sci. Is that not the case?
As for maths challenges, I agree but I think they may still have some value if you do exceptionally well in the later rounds.

@McGinger
I thought virtual work experience can help with applications if it's relevant what you want to study, eg: something on sustainability if you want to go into geography or env sci. Is that not the case?
As for maths challenges, I agree but I think they may still have some value if you do exceptionally well in the later rounds.

Btw, its fine to do these 'competitions' etc, but just be aware that they are not going to make any difference to your UCAS application - whatever your school tries to tell you. Unis generally just ignore them, simply because not all schools can offer this and because in their eyes it doesn't actually mean you will be a 'better student' at University.

Some people at my college did those competitions and got into outreach programmes run by Oxford and Cambridge (some even got into the residential ones). When I applied for these programmes, I mentioned all the competitions and work experience I had done, and I got into the Oxford and Bath residentials. One of the big benefits is that it’s completely free (they cover accommodation, food, and travel). Also, for some universities like Bath, doing these programmes can lead to a reduced offer (not for Oxbridge though). My advice : If U get a chance to do those competitions then don't hesitate and do it, it might benefit U in future.

Cambridge Supercurriculars - good for all Unis - super-curricular_suggestions.pdf
How to incorporate this stuff into your PS - Guide-to-Super-curriculars.pdf

The UKMT competitions are listed there