Hello, I wanted to apply to go to Queens College in the University of Cambridge next year (I’m a junior).
I took my SAT and 3 Subject SATs (to help with test predictions).
My current scores:
SAT: Above a 2300.
3 Subject SATs: Above a 700. (In chem, Physics, Bio mol)
The problem is that I want to study natrual science but my school only offers 2 science AP classes. AP Environmental Science & AP Biology.
I’ll be taking them along with AP Calculus. I Also want to take the other Bio, a Math, and a English subject SAT too to help with scores and my application.
I want to self study for two more AP exams but I’m scared that by doing that I won’t get a 5. So if I get the required scores, that’s 3 AP exams with 5’s and 6 SAT II’s, and my SAT but Cambridge requires AT LEAST 5 AP exans with a 5 so I don’t really know what’s best to do.
Should I self study for two more AP exams or look for other college options (unless there is something else I can do)… Of course I’m looking at other schools as Cambridge is highly competitive.
I could sign up for Oxford instead as they take SAT II for qualifications but I really wanted to go to Cambridge for Natrual science due to how broad the course is.
I’m also quite curious as to how they predict your scores since they apparently don’t look at grades or GPA. (I have a current GPA of a 3.8 out of a 4.0 though).
And how do you get your reference filled out? I’d it automatically by your guidance counselor or a teacher of choice. (I’m afraid I’m not too close to my guidance counselor as I rarely spoken with her).
By the time I apply I only will have my SAT and 6 Subject SATs so far for qualifications so how will that look?
You can email the tutor from your college and ask what to do, since your school offers only 2 AP. Also, email Kings, they get the most international applicants.
Your scores will be predicted by your counselor with input from the teachers. The same goes for personal statement.
Your GC (usually with input from your teachers) ‘predicts’ the scores that you will get on your APs. Your reference can be from a teacher who knows you well- it should be a science or math teacher, obvs.
For natural sciences you are required to have APs in at least 2 of Physics, Chem, Bio and Calc BC, and they strongly prefer a third. No chance you could take one or two this year in a subject you have already completed? (I think late reg is still open) I know somebody whose conditions were 5’s on 3 APs (of the 4 she was taking) and that was pretty brutal. Also, APES is a ‘B’ AP (there are As and Bs, and Bs count as 1/2), and Cambridge would not have to count it as a full AP (they might, b/c it is relevant to your course, but they might not).
I have my Biology teacher in mind to write my reference. She was always very sweet to me and said I was sharp so I thought she would be a good choice in terms of reference.
They have late registration still open but the thing is that I’ve taken Physical Science (though they don’t even have a AP class/test for the course), Biology, and Chemistry but they were honor classes. I got good grades in them but they don’t exactly prepare you for AP exams and a few solid fives on AP exams are much better than a bunch of 3’s & 4’s (so I’d rather take them next school year when I know I will be prepared). Also you have to take some classes before taking certain AP classes and a lot of students meet those requirements in Junior/senior year at my school. Deja vu lol.
I’ll be taking Physics next year but honors as my school unfortunately doesn’t offer the course in AP.
And any chance they might take the Calculus AB exam because that’s what my schools only AP Calculus class prepares you for.
And any chance that I can know what AP test that person took (if she studied/is studying Natrual Science) just out of curiosity?
I know Cambridge adjust offers according to the person’s situation (as they clearly wouldn’t expect 10 AP exams from a person when their school doesn’t offer 10 AP classes lol) but how exactly do you talk to them about it? I know you can send them an email but I’m still slightly confused.
I am going to try and arrange something with my guidance counselor for my classes (maybe she’d let me take some AP classes online) but I’m also going to see what courses my home school has. If they have more/better options, then I might transfer there because I really want to take AP exams for what I want to study (for any college I go to. Especially since in the U.S it gives you college credit. They also are really good on applications).
Cambridge does not adust offers in the way that you are describing. They are a UK university, and they set their requirements for the UK system. A UK student must have 3 A levels (which are roughly comparable to a college 101 course in the US), in at least 2 and preferably 3 science/math subjects,with grades of AAA. Cambridge basically translates UK requirements into other systems. In their view, 5 5’s on Group A APs is an acceptable approximation. They would never ask somebody for more than that- though they might specify, say Micro+Macro Econ (2 ‘B’ group APs) to be equivalent to 1 ‘A’ AP.
But here’s the thing you need to think about seriously: for UK unis in general, and Oxbridge in particular, it’s not just about getting in- it’s about being able to do the work when you get there. It is kind of like skipping a grade in school: the school still expects you to know that material even if you haven’t taken that grade. Those APs aren’t just about ticking a box- they are the building blocks for the work you are going to do, and the assurance that you can work at that level. Your future classmates will have done all of this and more.
The weaker your preparation the tougher the transition is going to be, and to be very very clear: I know a LOT of Oxbridge students and all of them say they were overwhelmed by both the level and pace of work the first year. It’s not just about being smart- I am sure you are plenty smart. It’s about being ready and able for the work- which is intense in a way that it is very unlikely that you can appreciate at this point.
Actually, if you can take 5 APs next spring- including 2 sciences- and get 5s on them that will speak well to your ability to step up to the level of work required at Cambridge.
@jupiter98 is right about Kings only requiring 3 APs (and possibly some flexibility for students who don’t have APs) so you should check it out- but be aware that Kings has an admissions test as well- look [url=<a href=“http://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/files/publications/nsaa_specification.pdf%5Dhere%5B/url”>http://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/files/publications/nsaa_specification.pdf]here[/url] for information on the structure and material covered as well as example questions.
You are right about honors classes not preparing you for AP exam. My daughter took honors bio in 9th and scored 750 on sat2. She is in AP bio this year and it is a whole new game. Dont take AP exam after honors class. And dont take another bio sat2, both are pretty much the same. It will not help.
Oh ok, I read something about them ‘adjusting offers’ or something along those lines but I must have misunderstood.
I know that Cambridge is going to be challenging work and academic wise. I plan on talking to my GC on the AP classes so I can take them and the exams. (As well to be prepared as possible if I was to get accepted) There might be a community college near where I live but there’s a state college right near my house, would that help? With summer coming around, taking AP courses that way wouldn’t hurt.
I also know that the tests and exams aren’t just to make your application look fancy,they’re to see how well you can handle rigorous courses along with knowing and getting a taste of what you’ll be learning. I don’t expect them or Cambridge to be easy and I always been keen on getting my work done at school and spending lunches at tutoring and I personally don’t mind academic challenges (I quite enjoy them actually) but I get what you’re saying. It can be overwhelming, especially when transitioning from the american public highschool system to one of another country. I’m also very focused, especially with things I’m determined and interested in. I was really fascinated by the tutorial system when reading about it as well. My friends may also think its lame but I personally enjoy taking the notes and doing the work (I guess a sense of accomplishment when getting it done…idk).
I will make sure to keep all the challenges in mind before choosing to apply though! I’ve done research but I’m going to do more research on their curriculum to be 120% sure that Cambridge is a school I want to apply to.
And since I was mainly looking at Queens college, I didn’t know that about Kings College. Thank you for letting me know!
I really want to make it a goal to get 5’s on 5 AP exams (like you said earlier, it would show my ability on stepping up to the work required at cambridge and it would in way show me personally that I’m ready for what they want from their students) so I’ll take the three AP courses at my school and the other two or three online or at a community college (or state if that is ok).
They won’t care where you do the learning: all they will care about is your mark on your AP You might check the AP syllabus against the course syllabus at each place and see how they match up.
Ask your counselor about taking AP courses outside of your high school. There are programs that are accredited with the county and will be reflected on your transcript/gpa. It will be nice to have AP credits if you end up in the US.
If you’re interested in Cambridge because of their Natural Science Tripos, I would suggest looking in to Northwestern’s ISP program and Caltech as well. They’re three quite different environments, but all 3 are very demanding and will give you a rigorous introduction to all the sciences.
The NU ISP program is similar to Cambridge in that it can be completed in 3 years, but it’s just as challenging.
I spoke to my counselor and will be taking duel enrollment at my local state college to prepare for the AP exams. Will be starting in the summer.
And one more small question, how important are your highschool grades when applying? Mines are fine but I just kept reading mix answers so I got confused. Some say that Cambridge doesn’t bother looking at your transcript and only looks at your test scores… But I found that really unlikely but I could always be wrong lol.
So, @Thestudier225, pay attention: the UK system expects you to be responsible for yourself. They do not handhold the way the US does. They provide the information and they expect you to find it, figure it out and sort it. You call yourself “the studier”, you feel that you are smart enough to go to one of the top 5 universities in the world, and resourceful enough to study in another country but you haven’t found your way to:
So, your GC uploads your transcript (if you read the rest of the page they actually only have to upload Junior year final marks but that’s too much hassle for most GCs!), and unless it’s pretty bad it’s fine.
People here are happy to help, but you have to help yourself as well.
Cambridge does look at your grades. You list your classes and grades in a separate application, and also upload the transcript. Schools like UCL, Edinburgh etc. dont ask for a transcript during application cycle. Cambridge does.
Here’s our experience. When my daughter applied (American, from France), we were asked for her transcripts. This worried us because with chaotic school reforms, they had graded harshly and not at all in one year, so her grades might not have been to par. So far as we know, they looked at them but did not count them against her and she got an interview and then an offer - with very high conditionals for her bac exams.
You might check the AP syllabus against the course syllabus at each place and see how they match up.