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Cambridge...???
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
Hey..
Im thinking of applying to Cambridge Uni to do an English Degree, I'm predicted 4 a's @ AS level, but know how hard it is to get in. People have told me that a rejection from Cambridge means that no other university will accept you...any1 give me any advice?? xTHANXx
Im thinking of applying to Cambridge Uni to do an English Degree, I'm predicted 4 a's @ AS level, but know how hard it is to get in. People have told me that a rejection from Cambridge means that no other university will accept you...any1 give me any advice?? xTHANXx
Post edited by JustV on
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Comments
Beyond that, basically be good at interview technique and enjoy yourself. It's a good university, but it's not the be all and end all. Also think hard about the stigma attatched to Oxbridge. Even as I was waiting for my offer or rejection to come through after the interview, I realised that I didn't actually want to be attatched to the whole institution. No offence meant to anyone that goes there/wants to go there, but it's just not for me.
Any other questions, just ask, there's plenty of smart cookies here to answer. Although, noticeably, no Cambridge undergrads, only Oxford ones.
Odd...
What? One word comeback? What?
*confused*
Yes, I do have exams soon. *sighs* Is that a hint for me to leave the boards, Turtle??
[I'm an Oxbridge student, and it's not at the Fenland Poly. (Cambridge)]
Glad someone understands me. <IMG SRC="tongue.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">@DJP.
<IMG SRC="biggrin.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">
Just because I didn't get it that quickly.... My brain was addled, I'd spent two hours going over finances... Eugh.
The reason I didn't mention Warwick, btw, is because it tries to be something it's not. Durham, at least, has pretensions which are justified; it has a history of academic excellence. Warwick was only founded very recently, 60s or 70s, I think, and famous alumni include Timmy Mallet. Enough said. (And it doesn't do Geography, which makes it stupid)
Edited because I probably should be less elitist. Sorry to anyone who goes to Warwick (MacKenzie et al.) - I know it's good, but it doesn't deserve the Premier League status it accords itself. Ooops, there's me being elitist again...
<IMG SRC="rolleyes.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">
[ 10-05-2002: Message edited by: DJP ]
The Times Good University Guide, 2002-2003
"Any chance of a place at Oxbridge?" - article discussing Admissions
Top Universities for English (Source: The Times)
How the Points System will work
The most popular universities
Just for the Notts. students out there <IMG SRC="wink.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">
Admissions Figures, Source; Oxford University
English at the University of Oxford
Edited to add some more links. If people want to ask Oxford questions, do...
[ 10-05-2002: Message edited by: DJP ]
Sorry this is so long. Go, apply - you'll probably get in. I did, and I'm not very clever. Email me when you get to cambridge - I'll be around for the next couple of years... good luck XX
The actual interview, if you get one -most people do - isn't as terrifying as everyone thinks. DONT BE TERRIFIED, and don't be afraid to make mistakes. I had two (tho' i think it varies from college to college), one of which was a chat about the books on my personal statement, one of which was a discussion of a poem which I had half an hour to prepare. That sounds bad but it really felt like an informal tutorial - treat it as a discussion and don't feel you have to show off constantly. Also, it helps to not be obnoxious or arrogant or whatever - remember, they'll be spending the next 3 years teaching you.
So, yeah - read a lot, only put things on yr personal statement that you truly love and will be able to talk passionately and intelligently about, and don't be too nervous - though of cours eit s inevitable that your mouth will dry out a little bit. Go to the loo before hand. Dress smartly - I'm sur ethey don't really give a shit, but you might be unlucky and get some anal tosser who really cares about that stuff.
Ask an english teacher to give you a practice interview if your school doesn't set them up. Talk about the books with anyone who'll listen to you. Be sure this is what you want to do and be sure that literature matters, and if you'd rather do something else, do.
If you haven't already check out the prospectus and go on an open day to see the colleges and choose which one. I chose Emma cos apperently its good for english, right size for me, good location, facilities, I liked the tutor, and it's the only college with a free laundry service - plus, apparently, the best JCR in cambridge. Trinity looked pretty cool too, principally cos it's on the river, beautiful and loaded. (too big for me, though.) think about what sort of college you want.
Re other unis: I got rejected by all the others I applied to except royal holloway but I think that was mainly cos I was applying for deferred entry - they get so many apllicants that if you do that they just tell you to try again next year. Cambridge accepted me but said no gap year. Even if it was cos of the cambridge thing that the others rejected me, I wouldn't worry, cos a)you get two bites at the cherry if it goes wrong first time, and b) I think they only reject you if you've been ACCEPTED by cambridge. In whch case it doesn't matter that much, if it's your first choice.
Enclosed below is my personal statement - hope it's a useful example. And i know the bit at the start is pompous bollocks. Good luck!
I have always read voraciously and I am very excited about the prospect of studying English at university. The subject seems to offer a remarkable chance to gain new insight into works of art – and, in return for this study, great literature may give us new insights into ourselves.
The first author who really interested me was probably Paul Auster, and through one of his essays I recently discovered Knut Hamsun’s masterpiece, Hunger. Nothing I have read before has offered such a strange mix of hope and despair. I have also started to read Raymond Carver, who has an extraordinary gift for making the reader look again at the apparently mundane. James Hogg’s Confessions of a Justified Sinner has reminded me of the importance of reading literature in social and historical contexts; similarly, Thomas More’s Utopia is a fascinating political blueprint as well as a wonderful work in its own right. Of the poets I’ve read recently, I have particularly enjoyed Auden and Eliot, who seem to have in common at least a faith in poetry’s power to change the world. I have also read some of Chaucer’s short poems, such as Gentilesse (which was especially interesting given the importance of this concept in the Canterbury Tales) and An ABC, after first encountering him on the AS syllabus last year.
This year I have been able to indulge my enthusiasm for the theatre by directing a one act comedy (Woody Allen’s God ) as part of a festival, and I have just directed a production of Dealer’s Choice by Patrick Marber. Whenever possible I go to the theatre. Recently I have been lucky enough to see Harold Pinter acting in his own powerful short play One For the Road and the RSC’s daring versions of two of the history plays, Richard II and Henry IV part I. Richard II is really the first of Shakespeare’s plays which I have studied in reasonable depth, and has made me realise exactly why he is so revered.
I am editor of the school magazine, to which I regularly contribute. Last year I won the lower sixth form English prize. My interest in English is complemented by a curiosity about history, and I am president of the school historical society as well as an active member of a book discussion group. To try and stay abreast of current affairs I attend regular political seminars. I have recently realised, thanks to the works of Bergman and David Lynch, that films can be more than mere escapism, and I am house representative for the school film society. Music is very important to me and I play viola and guitar. I am fascinated by all kinds of art. Sadly, my great interest in sport is not matched by my talent, and I have risen no higher than house teams or the third eleven.
(one more thing: don't fucking lie in it. My little bit of bollocks about art nearly got busted when the tutor asked me in detail about it - although I like art, I know fuck all about it. And ffs don't put anything in which you intend to read before interview but haven't quite got round to!
The actual interview, if you get one -most people do - isn't as terrifying as everyone thinks. DONT BE TERRIFIED, and don't be afraid to make mistakes. I had two (tho' i think it varies from college to college), one of which was a chat about the books on my personal statement, one of which was a discussion of a poem which I had half an hour to prepare. That sounds bad but it really felt like an informal tutorial - treat it as a discussion and don't feel you have to show off constantly. Also, it helps to not be obnoxious or arrogant or whatever - remember, they'll be spending the next 3 years teaching you.
So, yeah - read a lot, only put things on yr personal statement that you truly love and will be able to talk passionately and intelligently about, and don't be too nervous - though of cours eit s inevitable that your mouth will dry out a little bit. Go to the loo before hand. Dress smartly - I'm sur ethey don't really give a shit, but you might be unlucky and get some anal tosser who really cares about that stuff.
Ask an english teacher to give you a practice interview if your school doesn't set them up. Talk about the books with anyone who'll listen to you. Be sure this is what you want to do and be sure that literature matters, and if you'd rather do something else, do.
If you haven't already check out the prospectus and go on an open day to see the colleges and choose which one. I chose Emma cos apperently its good for english, right size for me, good location, facilities, I liked the tutor, and it's the only college with a free laundry service - plus, apparently, the best JCR in cambridge. Trinity looked pretty cool too, principally cos it's on the river, beautiful and loaded. (too big for me, though.) think about what sort of college you want.
Re other unis: I got rejected by all the others I applied to except royal holloway but I think that was mainly cos I was applying for deferred entry - they get so many apllicants that if you do that they just tell you to try again next year. Cambridge accepted me but said no gap year. Even if it was cos of the cambridge thing that the others rejected me, I wouldn't worry, cos a)you get two bites at the cherry if it goes wrong first time, and b) I think they only reject you if you've been ACCEPTED by cambridge. In whch case it doesn't matter that much, if it's your first choice.
Enclosed below is my personal statement - hope it's a useful example. And i know the bit at the start is pompous bollocks. Good luck!
I have always read voraciously and I am very excited about the prospect of studying English at university. The subject seems to offer a remarkable chance to gain new insight into works of art – and, in return for this study, great literature may give us new insights into ourselves.
The first author who really interested me was probably Paul Auster, and through one of his essays I recently discovered Knut Hamsun’s masterpiece, Hunger. Nothing I have read before has offered such a strange mix of hope and despair. I have also started to read Raymond Carver, who has an extraordinary gift for making the reader look again at the apparently mundane. James Hogg’s Confessions of a Justified Sinner has reminded me of the importance of reading literature in social and historical contexts; similarly, Thomas More’s Utopia is a fascinating political blueprint as well as a wonderful work in its own right. Of the poets I’ve read recently, I have particularly enjoyed Auden and Eliot, who seem to have in common at least a faith in poetry’s power to change the world. I have also read some of Chaucer’s short poems, such as Gentilesse (which was especially interesting given the importance of this concept in the Canterbury Tales) and An ABC, after first encountering him on the AS syllabus last year.
This year I have been able to indulge my enthusiasm for the theatre by directing a one act comedy (Woody Allen’s God ) as part of a festival, and I have just directed a production of Dealer’s Choice by Patrick Marber. Whenever possible I go to the theatre. Recently I have been lucky enough to see Harold Pinter acting in his own powerful short play One For the Road and the RSC’s daring versions of two of the history plays, Richard II and Henry IV part I. Richard II is really the first of Shakespeare’s plays which I have studied in reasonable depth, and has made me realise exactly why he is so revered.
I am editor of the school magazine, to which I regularly contribute. Last year I won the lower sixth form English prize. My interest in English is complemented by a curiosity about history, and I am president of the school historical society as well as an active member of a book discussion group. To try and stay abreast of current affairs I attend regular political seminars. I have recently realised, thanks to the works of Bergman and David Lynch, that films can be more than mere escapism, and I am house representative for the school film society. Music is very important to me and I play viola and guitar. I am fascinated by all kinds of art. Sadly, my great interest in sport is not matched by my talent, and I have risen no higher than house teams or the third eleven.
(one more thing: don't fucking lie in it. My little bit of bollocks about art nearly got busted when the tutor asked me in detail about it - although I like art, I know fuck all about it. And ffs don't put anything in which you intend to read before interview but haven't quite got round to!
There are all sorts of myths that you hear about application and interviews; bricks and windows and "what is courage"...
This, however, is not a myth; I know the guy in question.
He was unbelievably good; I'm talking 15 or 16 A*s at GCSE, self taught in 5 or 6 of them. A-levels, no worries. On his Personal Statement, he wrote "I speak some languages, French and German, since I love to travel". He was applying for Natural Sciences at Cambridge.
The interviewer had a good friend who was German, and a Professor Of Natural Science. The entire scientific interview was conducted in German.
Not even kidding.
He passed the interview. He did speak German, and impressed so much that they invited him to come on an unconditional offer basis.
Point being; don't lie.
If UCAS have changed the system so other universities can't see where else you are applying, that is excellent news. I am only aware of Bristol ever asking people to say whether they had an Oxbridge offer before they would give an offer themselves but you need'nt worry about that at all now
The rest has been said already: you'll need some wider-reading and an strong interest in a particular area of the subject if you really want to make it here. It's great fun, though, and nowhere near as pompous as the general public would have you believe. Good luck.
[ 10-05-2002: Message edited by: m0blf ]