Admission to cambridge part iii in relation to selected stream

Hey,

I'm planning on applying to part iii next year. After having consulted this admission data: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/admission_statistics_for_part_ii_4/response/2738355/attach/3/FOI%202024%20672%20Kim%20MASt%20data.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1 , it seems like there is a discrepancy between the different part iii streams when it comes to admissions. For example, the acceptance rate in pure maths for 2023/2024 was around 38%, compared to around 20% for stats.

The Cambridge website states that "For admissions purposes only the MASt is divided into four pathways. Once here, successful applicants are free to register with either department and are free to choose courses from any area of Mathematics. Applicants should apply to the pathway which best fits their academic background and interests."

And so I was wondering if anyone here could give some meaning to these numbers. Is it simply that students attracted to pure maths tend to be stronger compared to those attracted to stats (which may for example include more CS students instead of maths students), or is it actually harder to get into part iii depending on your selected stream?

I'm personally more interested in stats, but I have a suitable background in pure maths as well so I'm trying to approach this strategically.

Thanks

(for context I'm an undergrad maths student at EPFL, probably around top 5% of cohort grades-wise)

Reply 1

WantToStudyMafs

You have hit the nail on the head, the applicants to pure tend to be much stronger than the applicants to stats, and such more offers are made. Don't let the numbers fool you, the admission statistics for the mathematical statistics stream is only lower because the level of applicants is generally lower, and thus fewer offers are made

Reply 2

WantToStudyMafs

Original post

by elostudent

Hey,
I'm planning on applying to part iii next year. After having consulted this admission data: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/admission_statistics_for_part_ii_4/response/2738355/attach/3/FOI%202024%20672%20Kim%20MASt%20data.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1 , it seems like there is a discrepancy between the different part iii streams when it comes to admissions. For example, the acceptance rate in pure maths for 2023/2024 was around 38%, compared to around 20% for stats.
The Cambridge website states that "For admissions purposes only the MASt is divided into four pathways. Once here, successful applicants are free to register with either department and are free to choose courses from any area of Mathematics. Applicants should apply to the pathway which best fits their academic background and interests."
And so I was wondering if anyone here could give some meaning to these numbers. Is it simply that students attracted to pure maths tend to be stronger compared to those attracted to stats (which may for example include more CS students instead of maths students), or is it actually harder to get into part iii depending on your selected stream?
I'm personally more interested in stats, but I have a suitable background in pure maths as well so I'm trying to approach this strategically.
Thanks
(for context I'm an undergrad maths student at EPFL, probably around top 5% of cohort grades-wise)

if you are more interested in stats, apply to stats, don't try and select a stream you think you are more competitive for, they will know. Part III is designed for students to explore what they're passionate about and enter research careers in related fields. If you try and do something like that, you will struggle to display passion, and it will be noticeable. They would much rather you have a very strong profile with a clear interest in what you are pursuing than a slightly stronger profile but much less directed interest in what you want to pursue.

(edited 3 weeks ago)

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