askacambridgestudent

[askacambridgestudent]

Is it possible to perform well in an open-book exam without having notes and by relying on books and papers (articles)?

Hmm maybe but the material taught in lectures usually has a significantly narrowed down focus and so you would find the important info much faster and have a better overview of which concepts are most important to include, etc. For many courses, you can find lecture slides and/or notes on Moodle if you haven't tried that yet. Otherwise you might perform well but I think it will require much more work and reading beforehand and it depends a lot on the subject (notes are probably more important in sciences than humanities).

[askacambridgestudent]

Hi, I’ve recently received an offer for Cambridge, and have been in a few offer holder chats, and some of the people seem a bit… strange to put it nicely? Like barking (yes like a dog) in the chats. Please confirm there are some calmer people when I get there :)

Hi, the chats are in no way a good representation haha, also people act differently online for sure. There is nothing to worry about!

#charlie #group chats

[askacambridgestudent]

Hiya! I am looking to apply for Cambridge next year and I am wondering if you could help me on what college to apply for? I want to study Philosophy so don’t want anything too far from the department. I would prefer somewhere in the city center, old architecture, good accommodation, good food and friendly/sociable people. I’ve been looking at Clare, Downing, Emmanuel and Pembroke so far but I’m not certain on which one to choose from. Thank you!

All four of those are quite central colleges. Clare would be *most* central but really it is a minor difference you’ll find. 

I would say between those, Clare and Downing are social, sporty colleges and Emma and Pembroke are considered more academic. Emma has a pool and Pembroke is one of the prettiest colleges IMO. 

Emma food is known to be not great, Downing and Pembroke have great food 

Downing is known to have the best college accommodation. However, it has neoclassical architecture as was built in 1800 (think Jane Austen as opposed to Hogwarts)

Good luck! 

#colleges #downing #pembroke #emmanuel #clare #nina

[askacambridgestudent]

Is Clare Tier 1 for Med as well?

Clare is def Tier 1 for all subjects 

#nina #clare #colleges

[askacambridgestudent]

hi! I'm looking at applying to Christ's or Pembroke for HSPS. I've had a look at the tier masterpost and even though Christ's is top of the Tompkins Table it isn't mentioned as a Tier 1? I'm worried that it will be super competitive to apply to, but from reading this blog it seems less so for HSPS than somewhere like Kings. Hoping you guys could clear that up for me! <33 PS. I don't know my predicted marks for sure but *hopefully* 43+ IB with 777 HL.

Christs is def still a competitive college (but they all are, really...) 

Kings gets a lot of applicants bc of its famous architecture. It’s not really to do with the academic comparison and I wouldn’t overthink the college decision. If you feel drawn to Christs def apply!

#nina colleges application

[askacambridgestudent]

College match pls :)) i’m a girl looking to take hsps - I got 11 9s at gcse and im predicted A*A*A*A for a levels (independent school) I want somewhere pretty big, very social with people who like to go out :) NOT all girls pls

Jesus, Downing, Clare, Johns

#collegematch #colleges #nina

[askacambridgestudent]

Hi, I wanted to ask your thoughts on Downing College? What kind of reputation does it have within the university, and what would you say are the most notable positive and negative qualities? Thank you!

Downing is known as a very social and fun college, so really great for taking advantage of the non-academic side of Cambridge. It also has a reputation as a sporty college, especially for rowing and rugby. It has really nice green spaces. Consistently has one of the best May Balls as well! And of course, it is known for having the best accommodation of any college

For negatives, Downing can be seen as a bit of a posh & cliquey college...and a bit Tory (though always important to bear in mind, NO college is universally anything! and ‘reputations’ are mainly just banter). The architecture is also love it or hate it for most people 

#downing #colleges #nina #reputations

[askacambridgestudent]

i’m from the US taking one course at Cambridge. Will I get to choose a college and participate in traditions and ceremonies?

I am not sure about this, sorry! I am sure you will be able to experience a formal hall (fancy dinner) otherwise it might depend on how long you are staying and what is happening around colleges then.

#charlie

[askacambridgestudent]

Is it possible to be selected for interview by a different Cambridge college after being initially rejected from 1st choice of college

Hi, as far as I know, no. The different colleges only pick up applications during the pooling process after interviews.

#charlie #interviews

[askacambridgestudent]

Could i get a college match? Im doing cs, 4A* predicted and good gcses (8-9s). I'd like it to be big-medium sized, not far out/isolated, left wing and diverse, esp in terms of ethnicity/lgbt people, oh also not modern looking, and quite social :) thank u x

Hi, you might wanna look into Jesus, Emma, Queens', Downing or St John's. This is largely without looking at diversity as I actually don't think it varies that much.

#college match #charlie

[askacambridgestudent]

Hi dear, my current IB prelim score is 38/42 and my HL is 766. it's not a competitive score, I know! But that's because I had a fever in the prelim exam ( part of the prelim score). Other than that, I have two silver medals in biology competitions and a bronze medal in UKCHO, and a published paper. Should I stick with my Cambridge application?

Hi, hopefully this is not too late. I suppose you're applying for Natural Sciences? the requirements there are 776, but I have heard of people being admitted with extenuating circumstances. Your extracurriculars definitely have to be strong and a good result from the admissions test would help... I would stick with it, Cambridge might have some leeway on predicted grades (not so much on final results).

[askacambridgestudent]

Could I have a college match? I'm female and want to study Natural Sciences (physical) and don't mind what tier the college is (though I would prefer 2/3). Preferably not too far from the West Cambridge Site and good chances of ensuite accomodation as well as decent kitchen facilities (hobs and fridges, maybe also an oven/freezer?) I'd also prefer a medium-sized (but I don't mind too much about size) and more friendly, relaxed atmosphere rather than a loud, party (or sporty) environment. Thanks!

Hi, you might wanna look into Fitzwillian, Churchill or Robinson. I think the kitchens are best at Fitz, but read up on their website to make up your mind. Additionally, Trinity hall has a large modern complex of accomodation near Fitzwilliam, which houses students in second year and up, maybe even some first years.

#college match #charlie

[askacambridgestudent]

Hi, sorry for the backlog day before admissions, I will get through the asks I have already gotten today, hopefully that's fine for making the deadline.

#charlie #admin

[askacambridgestudent]

Hey! Would it be possible to get a college match? Medic / A*A*A and very good academic and non-academic ECs but bad everything else. Old traditional buildings, close to pre-clinical departments, ensuite and staying over the vacation. Needs to be quiet is the main thing. Im also a mature student

Hi, some suggestions are - Downing (the architecture is a tad different but still traditional), Queens, Selwyn, Newnham (last two are a bit out of the city centre so they are quieter.

#college match #accommodation #charlie

[askacambridgestudent]

hello!! asking for a college match! im a girl predicted 3/4 A*s and going for HSPS. i love academic rigour but i also very much need to socialise and go for a night out. im not sure how the tiers work but im defo an overachiever and i don’t mind a bit of competition. id prefer to be more central and if accommodation is comfy and nice that would be great. facilities wise, i also love sports and arts so the more societies the better. i literally have been scrolling through colleges all day and i still have no clue so any help would be majorly appreciated!! thank you <3

Hi, yeah that doesn't narrow it down too much, but maybe I can give some suggestions :) If you care about being close to the college playing fields - St John's is good, as it is also central. That nonwithstanding, other options could be Emma, Queens', Downing or Christ's.

#college match #charlie

[askacambridgestudent]

Hi, I'm a first-gen, low-income student (with free school meals, 16-19 bursary, etc) looking to apply for Medicine (A100). Downing is one of the colleges that I really like, with really nice rooms and kitchens (I have lots of severe food allergies so would like to self-cater a lot). I would like to ask about the relative level of financial support Downing offers compared to the other colleges - it will probably be my deciding factor.

Hi, the colleges aren't exactly forthcoming about financial support information before you are accepted (I have recently been told this is also on purpose) and I don't know anything apart from what they say on their pages. The colleges I am aware have extra financial support for low-income are John's and Trinity. Sorry not to be more helpful. I think however the maintenance loan and the general Cambridge Bursary should have you well covered for the undergrad portion. For the graduate part of the medicine course it gets even more complicated and again I don't know much about that.

#loan #funding #charlie

[askacambridgestudent]

if you’re on a continuous lease would you say it’s better to pack in suitcases or those big storage bags?

I don't think it makes a difference. I'm guessing you're moving in by car? There are trolleys available in colleges so you can roll your bags or bixes through college and they might be easier to carry up? But truly doesn't make a difference.

#charlie #moving in #accommodation