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Maths super/extra curriculars

Hey this is everything I’m planning on doing when applying to study at maths in Scotland next year! (S5 currently) is there anything you guys recommend?

UKMT
Ritangle
Compos (or follow along if I don’t get in)
In summer I’m gonna do a project on a specific topic (idk what yet)
Read “a mathematics apology” (plan to read at least 1 or 2 more book's)
Work at schuh

I also applied to some programs at Sutton trust and Strathclyde space school but those things are really guaranteed.

I feel like I need more!! if you guys have any advice I would really appreciate it, also would doing STEP/TMUA prep be good to mention, even tho I plan to go to uni in Scotland (I just want to try and let them see ive tried harder problems). and if anyone has advice for tutoring when u18 that would be amazing

Reply 1

Juni1

Hi Fimbly,

I am a year 13 and applied for competitive universities for maths.

Sounds like a pretty good list you made there. In your personal statement you only have space to write about 3-4 things. So I would not worry about quantity but quality. Would not set I need to do this task list of stuff for personal statement, but study what interests you. What they are looking for is how you critically engaged in those things, that suggest you have the skills to be a good mathematician. For example, I saw an interesting problem in Rightangle, school work, (or any source of maths questions) made me want to explore further/ generalise. I would say STEP prep is worth doing because they are a different breed of questions, and universities would recognise that.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Junias

Reply 2

DerDracologe

Study Forum Helper

Original post

by Fimby

Hey this is everything I’m planning on doing when applying to study at maths in Scotland next year! (S5 currently) is there anything you guys recommend?
UKMT
Ritangle
Compos (or follow along if I don’t get in)
In summer I’m gonna do a project on a specific topic (idk what yet)
Read “a mathematics apology” (plan to read at least 1 or 2 more book's)
Work at schuh
I also applied to some programs at Sutton trust and Strathclyde space school but those things are really guaranteed.
I feel like I need more!! if you guys have any advice I would really appreciate it, also would doing STEP/TMUA prep be good to mention, even tho I plan to go to uni in Scotland (I just want to try and let them see ive tried harder problems). and if anyone has advice for tutoring when u18 that would be amazing

Webinars (eg unifrog or channel talent), podcasts, documentaries, essay competitons (eg mindsunderground)

Reply 3

LJMUStudentReps

Official Rep

Original post

by Fimby

Hey this is everything I’m planning on doing when applying to study at maths in Scotland next year! (S5 currently) is there anything you guys recommend?
UKMT
Ritangle
Compos (or follow along if I don’t get in)
In summer I’m gonna do a project on a specific topic (idk what yet)
Read “a mathematics apology” (plan to read at least 1 or 2 more book's)
Work at schuh
I also applied to some programs at Sutton trust and Strathclyde space school but those things are really guaranteed.
I feel like I need more!! if you guys have any advice I would really appreciate it, also would doing STEP/TMUA prep be good to mention, even tho I plan to go to uni in Scotland (I just want to try and let them see ive tried harder problems). and if anyone has advice for tutoring when u18 that would be amazing

Hi,
Youve already listed alot of good stuff and sometimes its more about quality over quantity.
If anything, it’s more about depth than adding loads of extra things. For example: really engaging with your maths project and being able to talk about it, understanding what you read rather than just listing books, reflecting on what you learned from competitions.
Personally when I was in college I remember thinking I needed loads of activities, but universities care more about how well you can talk about what you’ve done rather than how many things you list.
Doing STEP or TMUA prep can definitely be worth mentioning, even if you’re applying to Scotland, because it shows you’re challenging yourself mathematically.
For tutoring under 18, it can be a bit harder formally, but you could: help younger students in your school, do informal tutoring for family or friends, volunteer if your school offers mentoring schemes.
You honestly don’t need to overload yourself, what you’ve got is already very solid.

Anthony
student rep

Reply 4

University of Strathclyde Student Ambassador

Official Rep

Original post

by Fimby

Hey this is everything I’m planning on doing when applying to study at maths in Scotland next year! (S5 currently) is there anything you guys recommend?
UKMT
Ritangle
Compos (or follow along if I don’t get in)
In summer I’m gonna do a project on a specific topic (idk what yet)
Read “a mathematics apology” (plan to read at least 1 or 2 more book's)
Work at schuh
I also applied to some programs at Sutton trust and Strathclyde space school but those things are really guaranteed.
I feel like I need more!! if you guys have any advice I would really appreciate it, also would doing STEP/TMUA prep be good to mention, even tho I plan to go to uni in Scotland (I just want to try and let them see ive tried harder problems). and if anyone has advice for tutoring when u18 that would be amazing

Heya! (:

Sounds like some fab experience you've already got for your application 😊 - when applying, universities are looking to see mainly how these experiences have prepped you for the course and any type of transferrable skills, obviously fab having tons of things and will give you that insight into how it might be studying the subject to a higher level - i know people have already mentioned under, but just be mindful of the UCAS character limit with the amount your looking to include!

tutoring wise, not exactly the same thing lol but i was a science ambassador when I was at school and mentioned this in my ucas, mainly involved helping out in younger year classes, advocating for science education to be more accessible and helping out with the science fayre - if your school offers anything along those lines (or anything you could think of and do!) , defineitly worth having a look into🤗

hope this helps a bit, best of luck with ucas!!

Emily
Year 3, Chemistry
Official University Of Strathclyde Rep

Reply 5

Rdan12

Original post

by Fimby

Hey this is everything I’m planning on doing when applying to study at maths in Scotland next year! (S5 currently) is there anything you guys recommend?
UKMT
Ritangle
Compos (or follow along if I don’t get in)
In summer I’m gonna do a project on a specific topic (idk what yet)
Read “a mathematics apology” (plan to read at least 1 or 2 more book's)
Work at schuh
I also applied to some programs at Sutton trust and Strathclyde space school but those things are really guaranteed.
I feel like I need more!! if you guys have any advice I would really appreciate it, also would doing STEP/TMUA prep be good to mention, even tho I plan to go to uni in Scotland (I just want to try and let them see ive tried harder problems). and if anyone has advice for tutoring when u18 that would be amazing

There are other maths competitions that are interesting, e.g. Maths Modelling Competition, International Fermat Competition etc. Although UKMT is definitely the most recognised and highest signal competition in the UK.
You could also look at some applications of maths to Physics or Computing, and if that's interesting there are loads of projects you can do relating to that

Reply 6

McGinger

Many Unis ignore 'competitions' - simply because they won't say anything about you and what specifically interests you about studying Maths at degree level. Its usually better to identify advanced topics that intrigue you and will show that you are already thinking/reading etc beyond A levels. Extra reading suggestions etc from Cambridge - good for all Unis - Wadham_Project_-_Session_3_-_Cambridge_Super-Curricular_Suggestions.pdf