Advice About Cambridge

Student Lounge International Students
1

<p>I haven't really had any college or university in mind for a while, but I've recently been checking out the University of Cambridge in the UK and it seems like somewhere I'd really enjoy. I'm especially interested in St. Catherine's College, as my subject of choice is English and they seem to have one of the most active literary populations, plus the Shirley Society and all that.</p>

<p>My problem is this: I'm really worried that, as an international student, I've got basically no chance. St. Catherine's only admits a VERY small number of English students anyway (I think I read that they admit about eight or nine a year), and I'm assuming that very, very few of those are internationals.</p>

<p>My stats are alright, but they aren't incredibly competitive--1330 on the SATs, 2000 with Writing. I don't think Cambridge asks for ACTs or SAT IIs, but I don't have scores for either of those yet anyway, and by the time I take the SAT IIs it'll be too late to put them on my application. I'm doing much better as far as APs go, though--I got a 4 on AP European History last year, and I'm confident that I got 5's on the Art History and Lang & Comp. exams this year. APUSH... well, that one could swing either way; I've got really no idea how I did. And I'm taking six APs my senior year, one of which is Lit.</p>

<p>Anyway, the point of all this is... what sort of chances do I have? I've got a very good average in English (nothing out of the A-range except for one pesky quarter in freshman year) and I go to a highly competitive school, nationally ranked. I'm figuring it's a reach--obviously--but is it worth a shot, at least?</p>

<p>Also, how much stock do they put in interviews? If you're in the US, will they even bother to ask you to fly over? From what I've gathered a large part of their decision whether or not to accept you is based on the interview and on your performance in your subject area. SAT scores don't seem to be much of an issue; they just ask that you take them, but offers aren't based on them--St. Catherine's says that outright. (They do give you an idea of what their most successful students got, though, and I'm slightly below that...but not substantially.)</p>

<p>Thank you, whoever, for reading my ridiculously long-winded post, and for whatever advice you might be able to offer. Don't worry about crushing my spirits, either... Cambridge isn't the end all be all ;)</p>

2

<p>
[QUOTE]
My problem is this: I'm really worried that, as an international student, I've got basically no chance. St. Catherine's only admits a VERY small number of English students anyway (I think I read that they admit about eight or nine a year), and I'm assuming that very, very few of those are internationals.

[/QUOTE]

Probably 1 to 0. But the stats aren't quite as bad as that because if you don't get into your first choice college, you can be "pooled" to a different college. </p>

<p>
[QUOTE]
by the time I take the SAT IIs it'll be too late to put them on my application.

[/QUOTE]

This is entirely normal as UK students apply in October but don't get their A-level results till the following August. Somewhere there will be a section for 'qualifications pending' or similar. Put your SATIIs there and your predicted scores. This is what A-level students do. You will need your SATIIs. This is the only way Cambridge have of comparing you to the rest of their students. IB is even better. If you search this board for Oxbridge applicants you will see most have quite a few SAT IIs. Just remember that they only count if they are in related subjects. If you are applying for English they couldn't care less if you can do calculus. </p>

<p>
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Also, how much stock do they put in interviews?

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Your scores get you an interview. The interview is what decides if you get in. It is by far the most important part of the admissions process.</p>

<p>
[QUOTE]
If you're in the US, will they even bother to ask you to fly over?

[/QUOTE]

yes. The vast majority of applicants are interviewed.</p>

<p>Try <a href="http://www"&gt;www&lt;/a>. the student room .co .uk
Remove spaces for link to work. This is a UK board similar to this where you can find more information.</p>

3

<p>dear kokakola...</p>

<p>im an international who applied to cambridge(corpuschristi)last year.
I CAN TELL U ITS MUCH MUCH MORE difficult than you can imagine..</p>

<p>Most students from my country get an interview..
but very few get the place..
and we are all straight As in A levels..
A levels are what cambridge looks at..
Sat 2 is a joke compared to A level..Do not think Cambridge will consider this at all bekoz it correspond to in fact the level of what we call O levels in UK.!!:)</p>

<p>For my part,i was interviwed,then pooled but ultimately unsuccessful..they take only 3 in my course..no international for my year!!so,its as hard as this..</p>

<p>And yes the interview is very important!!Bekoz all those who are called are equally brilliant and with excellent results..</p>

<p>But still,you can try your luck.
THerz nothing to lose..
good luck!!!:)</p>

4

<p>Kokakola:</p>

<p>Cambridge is a 3-year university. Go to another college for a year and apply to Cambridge in September of your freshman year. Try to get 2100 on your SATs or a 32 ACT and get A's your freshman year.</p>

5

<p>Wow... thank you all! All this information is immensely helpful. </p>

<p>ACTs I'll be doing in June; I'm pretty confident in my ability to do well on that. I'm going to be taking the SAT IIs in October but it's a little reassuring to know they don't count for a whole lot! ;) I figure I might retake the SATs in November if possible, simply because I know I can do a lot better... I didn't prepare at all for them (in fact forgot I had to take them until about five days before), stayed up till 3 AM the night before, and slept in between sections. So yeah--lack of effort led to mediocre (for people on this site, anyway) scores.</p>

<p>Anyway--point is--I think, if I'm still interested after mulling it over, I'll just apply, because I have nothing to lose. Maybe deferred--that would probably be the wisest thing to do; thank you to Damaris for suggesting that.</p>

<p>Also: SAT IIs... even if they don't much matter, what subjects should I go for besides Lit? I'm thinking US History (because it's fresh in my mind) and Spanish, though I could probably manage World History and French. (My French isn't as advanced as my Spanish, so that worries me, but it seems that either test is going to be interesting based on the practice questions...) Does that sound wise?</p>

<p>If anyone else has any more advice I'm all ears!!</p>