Rejected by Cambridge for maths.

5

Original post

by artful_lounger

Unfortunately they don't interview everyone.
Which college did you apply to?

Churchill

Reply 21

5

Original post

by chillin'

Supercurriculars in PS, possible history of inflation of predicted grades by your sixth form, what UMS did u get for AS?

Our 6th form requires achieving 90% ums in As to have A* predicted

Reply 22

11

Cant think of any other possible reasons tbh ur gcse r really good…

Reply 23

11

Get ur PS reviewed by someone studying on that degree programme

Reply 24

11

Also im not equipped to advise u if ur ums were high enough

Reply 25

davros

16

Original post

by Jbbhhhز😐😐

9 A* gcse all A in as and All A* predicted math

Don't want to get your hopes up but there's another thread in this forum where some people have been rejected in error and then had an email apology afterwards - you haven't had another email from Cambridge later on, have you?

Which college did you apply to? If it was Trinity, it's insanely over-subscribed for Maths so they're forced to reject a lot of people pre-interview.

Reply 26

11

Probably ums?

Reply 27

5

I applied to Churchill so that might be why.

Reply 28

davros

16

Original post

by cara.9

Yes but it is Cambridge, it’s ranked as the top university in the UK for mathematics. Inevitably, they are going to reach for the most proactive, determined individuals ( I’m not claiming that you aren’t ) and therefore those who have work experience and multiple extracurriculars may be prioritised as they also have the perfect grades.

Work experience is completely irrelevant for Cambridge Maths.

Reply 29

artful_lounger

21

Original post

by Jbbhhhز😐😐

Churchill

Sorry to hear :frown:

If you do very well in your A-levels and STEP, and decide against your other options, you could always try reapplying - it's generally recommended to apply to a different college if reapplying though :smile:

That said there's plenty of other good options for maths besides Cambridge!

(edited 2 months ago)

Reply 30

5

Original post

by artful_lounger

Sorry to hear :frown:

If you do very well in your A-levels and STEP, and decide against your other options, you could always try reapplying - it's generally recommended to apply to a different college if reapplying though :smile:

That said there's plenty of other good options for maths besides Cambridge!

Thx for the encouragement. I think its best to move one.

Reply 31

melancollege

19

Original post

by cara.9

Yes but it is Cambridge, it’s ranked as the top university in the UK for mathematics. Inevitably, they are going to reach for the most proactive, determined individuals ( I’m not claiming that you aren’t ) and therefore those who have work experience and multiple extracurriculars may be prioritised as they also have the perfect grades.

Work experience (whatever that could entail for Maths) and unrelated extracurriculars would have no impact on an application.

Reply 32

Anonymous #2

Original post

by melancollege

Work experience (whatever that could entail for Maths) and unrelated extracurriculars would have no impact on an application.

When did they claim the extracurriculars would be unrelated? Obviously those who have shown interest in maths through attending events, reading the cambridge maths reading list etc. may have a higher chance compared to a person who has simply just got grades. And also work experience is highly valuable, I know people who managed to get a week with a professor of mathematics and participate in research. Obviously extracurriculars related to mathematics are going to look great on a personal statement and obviously the person above meant those related to mathematics.

Reply 33

melancollege

19

Original post

by Anonymous

When did they claim the extracurriculars would be unrelated? Obviously those who have shown interest in maths through attending events, reading the cambridge maths reading list etc. may have a higher chance compared to a person who has simply just got grades. And also work experience is highly valuable, I know people who managed to get a week with a professor of mathematics and participate in research. Obviously extracurriculars related to mathematics are going to look great on a personal statement and obviously the person above meant those related to mathematics.

Generally, those are called 'supercurriculars' by Oxbridge, with 'extracurriculars' usually used for those that aren't related to the subject.
I'm surprised to hear that an A-Level student is able to "participate in research", given their limited knowledge of advanced mathematics. Regardless, not having any work experience would not be the reason why OP was not invited to interview.

Reply 34

Anonymous #3

Did you get your PS reviewed before submitting? I don't want to be too critical but the grammar in some of your posts is questionable. Even just calling it Math instead of Maths.

Reply 35

Anonymous #4

From my understanding, the admissions test is much more important and a stronger indicator than A-Level predicted grades. It clearly states on their subject entry requirements that admissions test must be taken, if you didn’t then a potential score was missed. 😟

Reply 36

Anonymous #2

Original post

by Anonymous

From my understanding, the admissions test is much more important and a stronger indicator than A-Level predicted grades. It clearly states on their subject entry requirements that admissions test must be taken, if you didn’t then a potential score was missed. 😟

Don’t you take the admissions test alongside your a levels or am i wrong? Like if you do STEP you do it at the same time as your a level exams and one of the conditions in your offer is to achieve at least a 1 alongside your a level grades?

Reply 37

melancollege