Application

University: Cambridge

College (if made an open application, allocated college): Pembroke

Course: Mathematics

Year in (not for!) which you applied: 2000

Final outcome: offer made

Applicant

Qualification: A-levels

When did you apply in terms of your qualification? pre-qualification

Are you a home/EU/overseas applicant? N/A

What is your country of origin? N/A

What type of school/college do/did you attend? Grammar School

GCSE or a similar equivalent taken: yes (3 A*,7 A,1 B)

A-levels

A2: Chemistry (A at AS; predicted A; gained B at A2)

A2: Critical Thinking (A at AS; predicted A; gained A at A2)

A2: General Studies (A at AS; predicted A; gained A at A2)

A2: Mathematics (A at AS; predicted A; gained A at A2)

A2: Mathematics (Further) (A at AS; predicted A; gained A at A2)

A2: Physics (A at AS; predicted A; gained A at A2)

Advanced Extension Awards

AEA Physics (predicted NA; gained Distinction)

Cambridge STEP Maths

STEP II (predicted NA; gained 1)

STEP III (predicted NA; gained 2)

Details about the offer

Type of offer: conditional

Specific conditions: A in Mathematics, A in Mathematics (Further), B in Physics, 2 in STEP II, 2 in STEP III

Have you accepted the offer? yes

Have you applied to other universities you consider very close, ‘on par’ or even better than oxbridge? (Ivies, Sorbonne, LSE..others for different subjects) N/A

Have you met the offer? offer met

Decisions about the application

For what reasons did you apply to Oxbridge?

Told it was the best place to study maths and so I thought I might as well try and apply.

How did you decide between Oxford and Cambridge?

Differences between the courses on offer, and just heard that Cambridge had a better reputation for maths.

Why did you choose this college/make an open application?

fter a look through the prospectus I went for an open day there, seemed a nice place.

Preparation

Did your school/college give you any extra tuition or help prior to your interview or application? yes

There were several meetings for oxbridge applicants telling us about the various things, and a mock interview was arranged. We’d already covered maths questions etc. in maths lessons.

Do you have any advice for future applicants in terms of preparation?

A mock interview really helps, and just generally practice your maths!

Interview

Did you have to sit any pre-interview exams (LNAT/BMAT/..)? no

Did you have to submit any written work prior to the interview? no

Did you have to take any exams as part of your interview(s)? yes

I had a short 30 minutes test with 2 questions.

How was/were in general your interview(s)?

The first question on the test was very easy, I think it was just to put you at ease. I didn’t quite finish the second one.Then I went through the questions with the maths tutor who helped me with ideas etc. to finish the other question, then went through another one with me. Supposedly like the supervisions for students.
The second interview was with the admissions tutor, who talked more about my other subjects and related maths to them. Was very interested in critical thinking.

What questions were you asked during your interview(s)?

The test questions are the same every year I think… The other interview I was asked about how maths fitted in with my other subjects, and talked about how ‘pure’ I considered maths.

What did you wear to your interview(s), and why?

Smart trousers/shirt. I was told not to bother with a suit, and just to wear something I was comfortable in.

Impressions

What was your general impression of the college that you applied to/any others you visited?

Nice and fairly quiet, everyone seemed pleasant and helpful.

How was the food provided by the college?

Good

How did you find the tutors in the college?

Friendly, did their best to put me at my ease.

Final stage

Please describe what happened when you received the letter/the call telling you whether you had a place or not.

I was away at the time, so I got the news via my parents and a mobile phone!

Looking back

If you were to re-live that year of your life again, would you still apply?

Yes