If I have an academic offer at Cambridge but get rejected by a college??
Hi! I was recently offered a conditional spot in an MPhil course for 2025-2026 at Cambridge, and this morning I received an email from one of the colleges that they were full and “could not progress my application any further”. Is that specific to that college, and I may continue being considered elsewhere? Or is that for the whole process?
Reply 1
Original post
by situationalironyHi! I was recently offered a conditional spot in an MPhil course for 2025-2026 at Cambridge, and this morning I received an email from one of the colleges that they were full and “could not progress my application any further”. Is that specific to that college, and I may continue being considered elsewhere? Or is that for the whole process?
Your application gets sent to up to 5 colleges (2 preferences if you selected them, and then 3 more sequentially). The 5th college has to accept you.
Reply 2
Original post
by AnonymousYour application gets sent to up to 5 colleges (2 preferences if you selected them, and then 3 more sequentially). The 5th college has to accept you.
If you choose a college as your second preference, can you ask the admissions team to make it your first choice, or is it not possible after your application has been submitted?
Reply 3
Original post
by AnonymousIf you choose a college as your second preference, can you ask the admissions team to make it your first choice, or is it not possible after your application has been submitted?
If you have not received the conditional offer from PAO, you can request the change by using PAO's contact us form: https://camadmissions.zendesk.com/hc/en-gb/articles/7276057326866-Can-I-change-my-college-preferences
If you have received the conditional offer, sometimes the department's admission team could help. You can write to them and ask.
Reply 4
Are you able to write to colleges ahead of the place? what is the criteria for selection?
Reply 5
Original post
by AnonymousAre you able to write to colleges ahead of the place? what is the criteria for selection?
PAO specifically states that we shall not contact the colleges during the phase of seeking college membership.
https://camadmissions.zendesk.com/hc/en-gb/articles/7277164991250-What-is-the-status-of-my-College-membership-application
Unless you have a disability and wish to connect with potential college and see whether they can accomodate your specific needs, you should not contact your two preferences.
The criteria vary among colleges and by the year, and one factor is capacity. Basically, colleges will consider factors that they deem important or give priority to during that specific admission year.
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