Year 13

Below you will find information and resources which you may find helpful in Year 13 either pre- or post-application.

How do I know if my grades are good enough?

If you have sat GCSEs and AS levels, you will already have some marks in public examinations. The University has produced this guidance for prospective students about re-takes, GCSEs and UMS performance at AS-level.

Choosing a College

If you haven’t yet chosen a College to apply to, you can attend one of the September College Open Days. You need to book for most of these and more information can be found here. You might want to can order a Pembroke College or St. Catharine’s College prospectus.

Application

See the University admissions pages for everything you need to know about how to apply. You might find the Applicant Toolkit useful too.

Useful Dates 2011-2012

1st September 2011
Organ Scholarships (All subjects)
Deadline for applications if you are also applying for an Organ Scholarship.

12th September 2011
Choral Scholarships (All subjects)
Deadline for applications if you are also applying for a Choral Award.

30th September 2011
Medicine or Veterinary Medicine
Deadline for online registration for the Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT).

15th October 2011
All Subjects
Deadline for your form to reach UCAS .

22nd October 2011
All Subjects
Deadline for submission of Supplementary Application Questionnaires (SAQ) for most applicants.

Late November to Mid December 2011
All Subjects
Interview Period – keep this time clear to enable you to attend an interview.

Early January 2012
All Subjects
The results of your application will be posted to you.

Post-Application

Interviews
Our aim is to interview every applicant whose application suggests they have a realistic chance of a place. The Cambridge Admissions Office website has some video clips of mock interviews and there is also booklet available for download called “Cambridge Interviews: The Facts”.

If you hold an offer
Please confirm in writing (letter or email) to the College that has made you an offer whether you intend to take it up. You will also need to tell UCAS, but please do both as Colleges need to continue the administrative process of turning you into a potential undergraduate.

The Winter Pool
You may have been told by your College that although they don't have room for you they have put you into the pool for other colleges to consider. You need to wait until you hear from someone. This may be your original college to tell you that they can/cannot offer you a place, or it may be a different College who may request that you go to interview or they may offer you a place without further interview. If you are put into the pool then decisions are made by end of January.

If you have been rejected
Remember that this happens to four out of every five Cambridge applicants. In order to maximise your chances of being successful at another university, you now need to build up an honest picture of your application. Ask teachers for their advice and also ask the College which interviewed you for interview feedback. Next make sure you really prepared for any interviews you may have at other universities.

A2 Level Results
When you get your results, if you have met your offer then you have your place. If you have narrowly missed your offer, you should wait until you hear from the Admissions Office. Unless you have widely missed your offer, do not assume that you have definitely lost your place until you have had a confirmed decision via UCAS or the Admissions Office.

Taking up your place
After confirming that you have a place your College will send you details about moving in and any reading that you might need to do in advance.

Life at Cambridge
If you have a place confirmed, find out more about life in Cambridge and settling in.