Cambridge University

Student Lounge International Students
1

Hello, I’m a U.S. highschool junior planning on applying to Cambridge University for Mathematics next year. To be honest, I’m not optimistic. How are my academics looking and what can I do to improve them?

I’m ranked first for weighted GPA in my class of ~670 with a weighted gpa of 4.78. I’m somewhere around 30 for not weighted, at 3.92 (two B’s in freshman year)

I’m currently in Calc 3 / Differential Equations and I’m picking up a linear algebra online class next semester. Next year it will likely be intro to analysis and intro to number theory

APs:
Freshman:
Human Geo-5
Sophomore:
Calc BC-5
Stats-5
World History-5
Comp Sci A-5
Bio-5
This year:
APUSH
English Language
Spanish Language
Physics 1
AP Gov
(I feel pretty confident in all of them, with the exception of Spanish)
Predicted Next Year:
Psych
Macro/Micro Econ
Physics C
Comp Gov
Euro
English Literature

I’m hesitant to take AP chem due to a bad teacher, but if she retires I’ll probably take it next year.

I’m estimating 35-36 ACT and 1520+ SAT

I haven’t taken any SAT II subject tests yet, but I’m planning on taking Math 2, Bio M, and Physics.

ECs
Speech and Debate since freshman year

In cyberpatriots freshman year, vp sophomore year, and co president this and next year.

I started this year and am co-president of My Alpha Theta at my school

I’m in a we the people class, and my coach is confident we are going to Nationals this year.

I’m going to try to get into a nice math camp this summer, but that’s still not definite.

Sorry if I missed anything, this is my first post.

2

Obviously maths at Cambridge is incredibly competitive, but your stats look good and your math level is clearly advanced for high school. I’m not a maths expert, but have you looked at the requirements for UK applicants in terms of how the required A level/STEP exam content compares to what you will have done?
What other colleges are you looking at - US ones, or are you also considering other UK universities like imperial?

3

I’ve looked at the Further Maths curriculum and some STEP problems to see what I need to self-study. The only thing I don’t think I’ll learn by the time to apply is some discrete mathematics, and I’m talking with my teacher to see if he has any materials to learn from.

Aside from Cambridge, I’m looking at mostly American schools. I’m planning on applying to MIT and UChicago, as well as a few in state schools as backup. I have looked at Imperial, but I’m not certain if I’m going to apply

4

The key thing is to take the STEP 2 and 3 papers this coming June (ask your teacher to get this process underway now!). You should be able to cover enough material by then, and there are lots of practice tests available online. Get two S grades and you will be essentially an auto admit, an S and a 1 will be enough for many colleges. Literally nothing else matters since you have enough 5s in APs, though qualifying for AIME this year would be a good idea (that should be straightforward if you are good enough for Cambridge math). If you don’t get a good enough STEP score then apply to Oxford where the MAT is pre-interview.

It’s great that you came along here as a junior, because the STEP timing makes it nealy impossible to take as a senior in the US (no results until mid August).