Gates Cambridge US round (2026/2027)

Hi all! I just submitted my Gates Cambridge application in the US round. I was wondering whether any former applicants (successful or unsuccessful) had any advice. I was also hoping that someone could give a clearer sense of the timeline—I've read through past forums but it's all a bit convoluted. How long after submission did you receive a course offer? And if you didn't get the Gates scholarship, were you able to secure any other funding sources from the University?

Thanks :smile:

Reply 1

thursdaygirlx

following! currently an undergrad in the US. I applied to an MPhil program and the gates scholarship. would like to hear any advice!

Reply 2

BOGC3

Great to hear will love insights too, hoping to apply in the international round

Reply 3

Anonymous #2

Following! Applied to the Faculty of Education for their PhD program… my faculty advisor said you gotta just kinda hope for the best with Gates… so… just crossing fingers for the best!

Reply 4

Anonymous #2

Did anyone get interview invitations for their programs?

Reply 5

Anonymous #3

Original post

by Anonymous

Did anyone get interview invitations for their programs?

I did! Had my interview about 3 weeks ago

Reply 6

asd2

Hi, I had my interview about 3 weeks ago, too. Have you received an update from your department regarding the status of your application?

Reply 7

Anonymous #3

Original post

by asd2

Hi, I had my interview about 3 weeks ago, too. Have you received an update from your department regarding the status of your application?

I haven't received anything official, but at the end of the interview they told me to expect good news. I'm trying not get too excited until I see something in writing, though!

Reply 8

tidy-beret

Original post

by Anonymous

Did anyone get interview invitations for their programs?

Didn't get an interview for the program, but I did get my acceptance to the course last week. It seems that certain departments do internal interviews while others don't, so I wouldn't necessarily stress if you haven't gotten one

Reply 9

asd2

Original post

by Anonymous

I haven't received anything official, but at the end of the interview they told me to expect good news. I'm trying not get too excited until I see something in writing, though!

I see, thanks for your response! If you don't mind me asking, what department did you interview for?

Reply 10

Anonymous #3

Original post

by asd2

I see, thanks for your response! If you don't mind me asking, what department did you interview for?

I'd rather not say the specific department because it's relatively small, but I just recieved my acceptance today!

Reply 11

asd2

Original post

by Anonymous

I'd rather not say the specific department because it's relatively small, but I just recieved my acceptance today!

Understandable. Congrats on your acceptance! Best of luck at the University!!! (I hope you get the Gates funding also)

Reply 12

Anonymous #2

Oooh I just got my acceptance too (PhD)… but no notes about Gates in the emails or acceptance portal… so just crossing fingers, I guess?

Reply 13

Anonymous #3

Has anyone received their college assignment yet?

Reply 14

Anonymous #2

I got my college acceptance yesterday… and kind of regret my choice now… haha I didn’t realize how far my college is from my department… but applied to it because they have lots of scholarships and funding for conferences. Biking should be fun haha.

Also, got my Gates interview notification today! Wishing everyone well! Especially those applying to other PhD programs too!

Reply 15

Anonymous #1

Original post

by Anonymous

I got my college acceptance yesterday… and kind of regret my choice now… haha I didn’t realize how far my college is from my department… but applied to it because they have lots of scholarships and funding for conferences. Biking should be fun haha.
Also, got my Gates interview notification today! Wishing everyone well! Especially those applying to other PhD programs too!

Also got the Gates interview notification today! Yay :smile:

Re: the college assignment. Did you get an email that there was an update to your self service portal, or did you manually check the portal to find out? I still haven't gotten one, and upon further reflection, I also regret the preferences I listed for the same reason....

Reply 16

Anonymous #2

Original post

by Anonymous

Also got the Gates interview notification today! Yay :smile:

I received an email directly from my college. Maybe the folks from your selected colleges are still reading your materials and making decisions?

I’m curious if we can ask to be considered for another… haha I switched my first choice last minute… and then was trying to remember why I had listed it as my first choice… and then after a Google map search realized my first first choice was literally next to the my department haha but too late at that point.

Reply 17

Anonymous #4

Original post

by Anonymous

I got my college acceptance yesterday… and kind of regret my choice now… haha I didn’t realize how far my college is from my department… but applied to it because they have lots of scholarships and funding for conferences. Biking should be fun haha.
Also, got my Gates interview notification today! Wishing everyone well! Especially those applying to other PhD programs too!