How much value does the Senior Maths challenge add to your personal statement?

I recently did the SMC and got a Bronze level in it, which was not what I was hoping for, so i was wondering if it was even worth mentioning on my personal statement, especially if I was applying to a uni like Cambridge, LSE or Warwick, since I didn't do the best.

Reply 1

ConfusedPenguin1

It's not really a firm yes or no, imo. Doing smc in itself does show some level of interest and willingness to do activities beyond the curriculum, though obviously it's a fairly common achievement among maths applicants. On one hand, it might be helpful to mention it. After all, you're still in the top 60% and keep in mind that that's out of some of the best maths students (because there's a pretty small number of people who take smc).

On the other hand, I can definitely see why you might be worried, since many applicants to unis like Cambridge and Warwick are going to have silver or gold.

It really depends on how confident you are about the rest of your application when you write it. And if you end up over the character limit when you write your personal statement, smc might be something to consider cutting.

Best advice imo though is to talk to your teacher, subject head, or careers advisor. Chances are, they've helped a few students in a similar situation, and will have a good idea of what outcome you could expect.

Reply 2

marcus.0

Agreeing with the above that it does demonstrate a level of interest in Mathematics, but it's questionable in its effectiveness ceiling - what could you possibly link it to in a convincing manner in your essay? Most personal statements I've read that mention it use it as a throwaway sentence just for the sake of mentioning their participation in a competition.
Your concerns are also valid since most private schools I know sign their students up for the SMC nowadays, and you can guess where most of the people applying to Tier 1 universities go to school.

Reply 3

marvellous-bird

Original post

by marcus.0

So do you think unis just treat it as another supercurricular activity?

Reply 4

melancollege

Universities Forum Helper

Original post

by marcus.0

[Y]ou can guess where most of the people applying to Tier 1 universities go to school.

Most of the UK applicants to Oxbridge went to state-funded schools. Those who went to private schools are disproportionally overrepresented but they are not the majority.