WOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!! I've just heard from one of my lovely Kodály students (first taught her when she was in Reception...) that she's just got an AAA offer from Pembroke to read music.

I'm so pleased I could BURST!

HUGE well done, Rachel!!!

Many congratulations, Rainbow & CPPF. I hope you both make your grades.

I am currently sitting looking nervously at a big brown envelope from Cambridge and resisting all temptation to steam it open before my son arrives home around 4pm! (Of course, our schools would go back today!) Will let you know later what transpires.

Well done to you and your student!!

Kind of the wrong thread but I heard last month that I got into Oxford (for English) so I guess I'll be seeing you guys at the boat-race...

Well done on your offers, and good luck with getting the grades!

Well done Reverie and good luck for BerkshireMum's soon and well done to Cyrilla's pupil

Any news?

ooh congrats Reverie!

&& thank youuuu
Both my parents were at work today so I had to ring them squealing and shrieking Yesterday my mum was at home, rushing to the door faster than I was.

Hahaha!

Awww, I'm not surprised! Actually on results' day, when I opened my results and found I'd got into Durham I got so caught up in EEEEEEEEEEEEEness that I didn't ring my parents, whoops, and they had to ring as they were worried that something had gone wrong.

Yes thanks, Ben. He got an offer! Standard Clare Maths offer: grade 1 in Step II and Step III (plus As in Maths and Further Maths and a B in Physics or Chemistry). Scary having to wait until August to know whether you've made the Step grades.

I'd have posted earlier, but half the world (it seemed!) had to be e-mailed by my son, so I've only just come back online.

I wonder how BBTOTW has fared - not sure whether to wish her an offer or not, as she still didn't seem sure she wanted to go to Cambridge.

Edit: Just remembered you had a friend applying for Maths, Ben - how did he get on?

Congrats

Not sure yet, he's not the easiest person to get hold of seen as he is never online and hardly looks at his phone..hasn't been online since December 16th

No one knows yet....I feel he may have not got in, if he has someone would have heard about it..

well done rainbow, CPPT, berkshiremum's son

I'm in a maths set with some U6th people. One of their phones went of in the middle of the lesson and he literally jumped out of his seat in celebration with a big grin on his face, then he goes..'what?!?! i have to get an A in physics!' he was happy though

OH MY GOSH NO LETTER! Another day of waiting for me... Well done to everyone else!! Did you like Robinson CPPF? I'd rather be pooled than go there..I really hated the building and the teachers

Thanks very much, Nicki. It means a lot of pressure to get the Step grades, but at least now it's down to his own efforts. Getting an offer is an amazing incentive to work hard!

My Goddaughter had an offer from Pembroke for Maths (several years ago) and just missed her Step grades, so we have been through it all before - she went to Warwick in the end and thoroughly enjoyed it, which proves the point that there are other universities.


Sorry, BBTOTW, missed your post. It must be very frustrating not having heard - a friend of my son is in the same position.

You don't sound very enthusiastic about your college. Hope things work out for you.

What are step grades?

Achievement in the Sixth Term Examination Papers (STEP) normally forms part of a conditional offer to read mathematics at Cambridge. The examinations are administered by the Cambridge Assessment (which is the parent company of the OCR examination board) and are taken in late June. Entries for STEP Mathematics are made using a secure online. Centres will be able to start registering their candidates in early February 2008 for the tests.

There are three STEP mathematics papers, numbered I, II, and III. Your offer will usually include grades in two of the papers, normally I and II if you are not taking the full Further Mathematics A-level (or an equivalent qualification) or II and III if you are taking Further Mathematics A-level (or an equivalent qualification).

Each paper consists of 13 questions: 8 pure, 3 mechanics, and 2 statistics and probability. Each paper is assessed on answers to at most 6 questions. There are five grades, which are (from highest to lowest) S, 1, 2, 3, and U.

The syllabus for Mathematics I and II is based on a typical single subject A-level syllabus: the Pure Mathematics content is very slightly more than the A-level common core. The syllabuses for the Mechanics and the Probability and Statistics sections are each equivalent to two or three A-level modules but, since there is no common core for these areas, the material may not coincide with the modules of your particular A-level. Paper I is intended specifically for candidates who are not taking Further Mathematics (or the equivalent) and the questions are intended to be easier than those in Paper II. The syllabus for Mathematics III is based on a typical Further Mathematics A-level syllabus (there is no Further Mathematics core syllabus) and the questions are intended to be of about the same level of difficulty as those of Paper II.

wrote that all yourself did you, ben?

Of course! Where else would I get it from

hmm, let me see...
http://www.maths.cam.ac.uk/undergrad/admissions/step/

OMG! They stole that off me! The....so and so's!!

Oh wait, I remember, they asked me the other year to write about it I remember now

Thanks everyone!

And well done to all those who have an offer.

Hope your letter comes soon BBTOTW. My friend's waiting for a letter from Downing - it's awful that I've found out and she hasn't!

Am off out celebrating soon.

Thanks everyone Being pooled is when the college you applied to doesn't want you, but thinks you might be good enough for another college and puts you in the Winter Pool. Then if another college wants you, you might get called back for a second interview at that college or you might get an offer without. Or you could get rejected...

Quick question about Cambridge... Does this "Cambridge" school have anything in relation to the Cambridge Companion book series? Forgive me for the "newbie"-style question, I'm still trying to understand what ABRSM is, and as a student living in the United States of America, it's even harder to understand the standpoint from which ABRSM users come from.

Yay, well done CPPF, Rainbow, BerkshireMum's son and Reverie! By the way Reverie, when you said you got in to Oxford, do you mean you already have the grades? EDIT: Oh, is it because you're in Scotland? By the way, which college was your first and second?

Oh yeah, Good Luck to BBTOTW, lucky045 and everyone else awaiting their replies!



In reply to neilthecellist, this is the 'Forums Cafe' section of the ABRSM forums, which is an area of general conversation. The 'Cambridge' being referred to is one of the top universities in England, and is probably the equivalent of Harvard in the US. I'm curious about how you came across these forums having not actually heard of the ABRSM itself, however...


~Wobby~

Yes. An its the "University of Cambridge". The Cambridge Companions are published by the Cambridge University Press which has had long associations with the University, although I believe it is now an independent business.

A Cambridge School could easily be confused with Netherhall, a school for 11-18 year olds. Look I know how you Americans use school to refer to going to univeristy, but going to Cambridge is the equivalent to gaining a place at an Ivy-League College, if not more prestigious.

Oh *grins* I was Oxford and got rejected before Christmas - but thanks for the good wishes Wobby! And again, congratulations everyone, and good luck BBTOTW, and anyone else waiting to hear!

although i obviously knew about ABRSM because i'd done their exams, i stumbled apon this forum completely by accident when googling something. It often comes up top if you type in something vaguely musical, so it's quite easy to discover without going through the AB site.

Ah, comiserations - and just before Christmas too!

What was your second college assigned by the way? Have you heard from your other Unis yet, too?

QUOTE(sarah123 @ Jan 3 2008, 09:03 PM)

although i obviously knew about ABRSM because i'd done their exams, i stumbled apon this forum completely by accident when googling something. It often comes up top if you type in something vaguely musical, so it's quite easy to discover without going through the AB site.

What I meant to say was would there be a reason to become a member of the forums of a board whose exams one must never have taken? Not to sound patronising or anything!


~Wobby~

My second college was Mansfield - I did have an extra interview there as well... Oh well... I'm less disappointed than I expected, though my ego is rather more injured than I anticipated too.

I haven't heard from Durham, where I'd love to go, but the one rejection seems to have made me a bit negative about it... I don't feel like I'll get in now. I have offers from York, Cardiff and Leicester, so now I just have to work for my three As.

*Trying to think positive*.

Don't put yourself down yet, there's still a chance that you've got an acceptance letter from Durham - wasn't UCAS closed for Christmas, so there may be one coming through any minute with the conditional offer they shall give you?

Are those of York, Cardiff and Leicester all 3 As?! York's quite nice actually I found...

~Wobby~

Aww *hugs*

Actually, I loved Robinson. At first glance I was a bit like "bleh" but after visiting in summer, and then again for the interview, I could really see myself there. The students and director of studies/teaching fellows seemed really friendly too. Plus, I heard students in the JCR talking about HP and Twilight, so it can't all be bad.



None of my friends who applied to Downing got letters today. Someone said something about Downing sending about letters late so they'll arrive tomorrow instead?



And have you guys heard of the auto-pooling thing? People on TSR were ranting about it ...



&& JAAAAAMES. ... were you an oxford child?



<333

Why, did you check for my name or something at all the colleges? Yeah, it would be pretty tough finding the right James on the list... I'm down as Wobby!


Hehe, well, I won't tell you which for now, but I think I've dropped a few hints already, and will probably do so somewhere here too... but I have got an offer, yay, but not officially through UCAS. But I'm going to act in denial of the offer until I actually get the results - 3 A's.

HP! We talked a bit about that (having explored one of the scenes of a Harry Potter film ), but we spent most of our time playing card games!

Then I guess it could be like your 4 A's though! Good Luck on that!


~Wobby~

Nah, I remember you saying somewhere.
Finding you would be pretty difficult, you I spose you could have been listed under some evilLord name like "Wobby the Great" or something. xD

... don't Oxford/Cam update ucas in like, february or something/ o___O

I'm presuming my 4A offer is due to my slightly abysmal 3rd interview so they probs want to know that I'll um ... work.

Yeah, I am Wobby the Great, the one and only! And I destroyed Dumdledore, Voldemort and Harry Potter. And Ron. But no-one realised it was me, because I sent the Imperiused Hermione to do it!

Hehe, maybe we should all sign up for the boat race... or at least watch it live, because I don't think I'd make the list! That'd be pretty funny!

Ah, have to wait for UCAS until February - wasn't the final deadline for sendings Jan 15th or something though...?

Which were your colleges? And your first choice? I had 3 interviews in total... Maybe it's because you're doing Medicine and that there's loads of competition that they want 4 A's?


~Wobby~

Well, I'm on a gap year so I've sat all my exams and have an unconditional. If I'd applied to uni last year I would have got a mix of conditional offers from the English unis based on Advanced Highers and unconditionals from the Scottish ones who just look at your Highers...the Scottish system's a wee bit complicated. *rambles incoherently*

I applied to St Hugh's - I, erm, liked the prospect of lots of walking. Didn't have a second choice (I think it's generally more common to be allocated a second or third choice college when you're applying for sciences).

Oh, and I think UCAS Track has started to update with offers etc. for Oxford as of yesterday, depending on college and subject, so watch that space!

I got REJECTED I didn't want to go there, but it's still a rejection...

I know exactly how you feel - it hurt my pride, and my self-confidence in my intelligence most of all... You'll be fine though - just think now you can go to the place you actually wanted to go to, without having to worry about whether you should be turning down Cambridge... In fact maybe they just picked up on your ambivalence in the interviews, and that's why you didn't get a place.

I think that's quite likely...I think I said in one of them that I'd rather go to a London uni if I'm not allowed to go home for weekends But I don't like being told that I'm stupid

I know what you mean. They don't think you're stupid though, I'm sure... There are just so many people who apply, and having heard you say that in your interview, they probably decided to offer that spot to someone who wanted to go more.

Cambridge terms are short, and if you went home for weekends you wouldn't get very involved in the things going on there. They probably took your remark as an indication that you would be unwilling to devote as much time to college life as they expect. If your mathematical ability had been in doubt, they would never have interviewed you, so I'm sure they are not trying to say that you're stupid!

Put the "rejection" behind you, breathe a sigh of relief that you won't have to go to a college you didn't really like in a university you weren't sure about, and concentrate on the London colleges you preferred anyway. At least now your parents will be wanting the same university as you do, and you can study Maths just as well there as in Cambridge - probably better, because your heart will be in it.

Sorry to hear that

My Cambridge interview feedback (gets sent to your school) was entirely negative, there was not one bit of constructive criticism in there. Don't take it to heart, I am sure you'll have a whale of a time elsewhere, but I know it does sting a bit

Not a clue what you mean here - could you enlighten me? Never heard of auto-pooling!

Me neither

Apparently if you have more than 7 A*s in your GCSEs and over 90% in 3 of your AS s, you get pooled automotically. I have much more than that but didn't get pooled, so it's not true I wish they wouldn't tell us lies...

My brother got pooled...

Well said - I totally agree with your comments here.

Absolutely.

I made a decision at 18 not to apply for Oxbridge, despite some pushing from my teachers (my parents let me make my own decision and would have supported me either way). In retrospect, the reasons I had for making that decision weren't particularly good ones, but 3 years later I went to Cambridge as a postgrad and thoroughly enjoyed it, it became my home and family for 4 years. I was still aware though, that my 18 year-old self would have been in danger of being completely overwhelmed by it and may well have had a tough time of it had she managed to get in. I think that Oxbridge colleges are a fantastic place to study for the right people at the right time in their lives, other people will find that other universities bring out the best in them - I'm sure wherever you end up will be the right place for you.

Good Luck with landing a place at the London college of your choice, I wish I'd moved to London when I was young enough to really appreciate it, I've grown to love it over the last 10 years but can't help wishing I'd been here when I was truly young and irresponsible. Good Luck to the Oxbridge crew too, grades willing one of my lovely nieces will be joining you, and to the rest of you too - going to university is such an exciting part of your life, I went off as a very shy, introverted, wouldn't say boo to a goose kind of girl and within the first term was having the time of my life!

Yes, I've had a fantastic first term

Glad to hear that, Nicki. I hope university life continues to be great for you.

My mate did get in! Didn't really speak to him about it..he just shouted across the canteen "Ben! I got in"...I was too busy eating my lunch so just stuck my thumb up! lol

That's great, Ben! Lots of work for them all to do for Step now then. Glad it's not me!