Cambridge Options

[BerkshireMum]

if you enjoy Maths, you'll like STEP papers! Yes, they are difficult, but they're a wonderful challenge, and a refreshing change from the spoon feeding which A-level questions have become (you know what I mean - show this, then do that; what happens if the next thing). They give you something to get your teeth into, and some of your other universities will encourage you to take them too.

To be honest, if you don't like the challenge offered by STEP, you wouldn't enjoy the Cambridge course anyway. Not that I've done it myself, but my niece went; it's certainly hard work, but she has ended up as an actuary, which is very well paid, though it meant lots more exams after Cambridge.

[SuzyMac]

I was in a similar position... I had one offer for a uni I wasn't especially keen on going to following the interview. Aware most applicants only got offered one place, I was happy with that offer. I was preparing G8 piano, had taken on musical direction for the school musical and then *bang* suddenly another interview appeared on the horizon. Right when G8/show was going to be. Panic set in, as you'd expect. I postponed G8 entry (indefinitely as it now appears...) and concentrated on the interview, using show rehearsals as a de-stress. Magic! Show was a hit, and gave me something interesting to chat to interviewers about. Interview a success. G8 remains a possibility (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

I didn't have to deal with much parental pressure, which certainly helped. I was however one of those top few in school facing being average at med school. I thought about working really hard and striving to be top....it lasted about six months! I much preferred running the musical, playing for variety shows and generally living life. I finished ranked in the top 40%(ish) of the year, but no higher, but I did so much other stuff it was worth it. I stayed reasonably close to home (mostly because I was teaching and didn't want to leave my students) and This gave me the opportunity to come home if it all went pear-shaped, but allowed me to live independently.

My advice to you is go to the interview doing as much prep work as you feel you can do without compromising the rest of your commitments. Enjoy it for what it is, use it as prep for other interviews and use your playing to relax as well as to work for your exam. Don't panic about the competitiveness, you will find that in varying degrees whatever you do and wherever you go. And don't worry about the offers-to-places ratio, they all do that. Good luck (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[jod]

I'm actually quite excited that two of you have Cambridge interviews. Whether you get in or not is immaterial, but I do wish you all the best. The Cambridge Students I know are generally happy there. I was born there. My mum was the Cambridge graduate and mum and dad moved there so mum could do her PhD.(which she got). She loved the place. She didn't come from a privilidged background she was a Grammar School Lass on a State Scholarship. So that knocks the Cambridge is for snobs idea on the head.

I wasn't Cambridge material at 18, however if I do a Masters its a place I would consider as they run a course right up my street and have library facilities to die for. Also I wouldn't have to move as for a post grad I meet the residency rules by 100yds.

See if its for you at the interview. My Step-dad also went to Cambridge and Read Mathematics, then specialisued in Computing for his PhD and set up two companies on the back of that. I've been brough up amongst the "Cambridge set" most of my life" - theyre actually nice people, not "up themselves" at all - infact rather down to earth. True they are polymaths with an interest in everything, but that just makes them more intersting and intreguing, and great company at parties!

It would be good to have some forumites around. You never know you might get yourselves carted off to Burwell for some music making and afternoon tea!

[cheeble]

I don't think I did ANY reading in preparation for my interview - they really do look for potential not pre-polished material.

Then you can decide if you hate it or not... the interview also gives you a chance to ask questions about the course, so you can talk about the aspects that are worrying you!

I personally prefer the fact that it's only this year's exams that count - it meant I could try out lots of sports and clubs etc in my first 2 years without having to worry about the outcome! And it means that I don't have to worry about my result last year (a 2.ii) dampening my chances of doing better this year.

Good luck in your interviews. I will already have gone home, but I'll be thinking of you anyway!

[Misti]

I didn't do any preparation for my interview either. Maybe that was why I didn't get an offer, but I suspect that has more to do with lack of sleep (Pembroke is a drafty FREEZING place, however pretty) and the fact I got interrogated about C3 maths, when I'd spent the last 6 months doing M1 without thinking about that stuff!

(also I was applying for Chemical Engineering through NatSci: and compared to all the Alevel students that seemed to all have done 5 Science Alevels, I guess just Chemistry and Maths didn't seem as good.)

Similarly, like you, I wasn't really sure I wanted to go. I hadn't been to any open days (too expensive to travel that far)

After the interviews I was pretty sure the place wasn't for me. For a start, I didn't meet anyone else from a Comprehensive School in the 3 days I spent there. Secondly, no-one understood my sense of humour at all (I suggested (jokingly) one evening, that we all went and sat on the raised table reserved for professors or whatever, as it was probably the one time we could get away with it... you'da thought I'd suggested stripping and dancing naked on the tables from the looks I got...) Not only that, the majority of people found it downright weird that not only could I chat about Science, but I'd cheerfully discuss novels with those applying for English, building styles with the Archatect wannbes, and hold a conversation in German, with someone applying for that subject. I got thoroughly sick of curious questions along the lines of "So what ARE you applying for?" I just didn't seem to be specific enough!

On the other hand, I did find my interview a highly positive experience, and did enjoy the three days I spent in Cambridge. I learnt so much Chemisty off one of my interviewers. I treated the whole thing like a short break from all the stress of coursework, and college.

So definetly do your interview, but don't stress out about it. Afterwards, you'll know whether you've made the right choice or not.

And if you get a place, you really don't have to take it up. One of my housemates got an offer from Cambridge for Maths (having done ridiculously well in STEP) but turned it down to come here to Bath, mainly because he wanted the opportunity to study for a year in Germany (he did AEA in that too).

Your parents might not be happy, but you won't be living with them anymore, and as long as you excel and are happy in what you do after, they'll come round.

As for your concerns about living away from home, everyone has them, and you soon get used to surviving. House and flatmates are an invaluable mine of information, and if you have the intelligence to apply to Cambridge, you surely have the intelligence to open a book. And books do exist on cooking, cleaning and surviving as a student.

All the best with whatever you decide to do. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[BBTOTW]

Thank you everyone (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I'm going tomorrow - leaving at 5 am...! I'm going to try my best, because, as my headmistress said last week, otherwise I might have regrets later on. I'm actually looking forward to going there, it's such a pretty place (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[miss_tickle_thea]

Good luck!
MTTx

[Cyrilla]

Best of luck, BBTOTW!

I have fingers and Bagpuss has paws crossed for you!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[jumper]

Thank you everyone (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I'm going tomorrow - leaving at 5 am...! I'm going to try my best, because, as my headmistress said last week, otherwise I might have regrets later on. I'm actually looking forward to going there, it's such a pretty place (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/goodLuck.gif) and have fun - that's the main thing (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[chocolatedog]

Good luck - you're right - it is a very pretty place, and there's a wonderful feeling of history as you walk round the older colleges.......thinking of all the past students studying there since 1209! (Although obviously not all the colleges were built then!!) Reading a history of Cambridge is very interesting......and also reading Susanna Gregory's historical whodunnit series which is set in the medieval university...... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Rainbow]

Good luck!

My interview's on Wednesday (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[Cyrilla]

One of my lovely Kodály students (taught her since she was in Reception (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) ) has her Cambridge interview today (music). She wants to get in SOOOOO badly so I have fingers and toes crossed for her...

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[jod]

Is this one you want whisked away to Burwell to meet CW?

[ben_walker446]

My friends Maths interview is tomorrow (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[BBTOTW]

I'm back (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) It wasn't too bad, although I really didn't get on with the main maths tutor. But the other two tutor who interviewed me were really nice (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I wouldn't like to live there though...it's ok to be there for a day to enjoy the history etc, but living there would be a completely different thing I feel. But it's over now, I don't have to think about it till January! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Good luck to everyone else who has interviews!!