AIBU to ask about Economics at Cambridge University.

[CambridgeEntry2022]

Posted in Education, but no replies as yet, so thought I would try AIBU instead!

DD is hoping to apply to Cambridge University to do Economics next year. She has done a practice ECAA test and scored 28 out of 40. Her teachers have advised that this is not a competitive score.

Does anyone know what a competitive score would be?

Thanks in advance for any guidance.

@Ozanj

Anything over 60% is ok for someone educated in the UK. They prioritise the A Levels and interview so don’t waste time trying to get a perfect score if it’s affecting the other grades.

It’s probably obvious but if she wants to study Economics then LSE and Soas are considered better than Cambridge depending on the specialism & may lead to better jobs. LSE also offers a BSC in Economics & gives you a much better grounding in econometrics - so if the aim is progress down that line she would have more options.

Thank you for this information. She has also applied to LSE as her teachers said that a degree from LSE would guarantee good job offers after graduation.

Which college is she applying to OP?

@lemondrops99

Just had a quick scan through the thread and I don't think anyone's said it yet, but the teacher might be being especially cautious this year because of the grade inflation of the last 2 years.

A) lots of pupils deferred last year, and there was a lot of a* dished out.
B) 2022 exams will be sympathetically graded so again big pool of the best grades to choose from for oxbridge
C) I'm an exams officer and have noticed that some of the courses this year have 2 admissions test requirements where previously they had one, which tells me that because they don't trust the grading for public exams at the moment they are relying heavily on their own admissions tests.

She should absolutely apply, nothing to lose! But it is going to be a tough year to get in and that might be why the teacher is being a bit pessimistic.

Yes, you are absolutely right. The school have said that Cambridge will put more emphasis on the ECAA due to Grade Inflation since the pandemic. DD has decided to apply for Cambridge so we can only hope for the best!

Please encourage her to apply. As pp's have said there's millions of capable kids in state schools who just never had the opportunity/parental support to apply.

@Hollowgast

Which college is she applying to OP?

Claire College is the one she has selected

@Hollowgast

Which college is she applying to OP?

Sorry Claire College even!

Dammed autocorrect! Clare College not Claire College!

@immersivereader

Please encourage her to apply. As pp's have said there's millions of capable kids in state schools who just never had the opportunity/parental support to apply.

Thank you!

Ooh, good choice. Clare is gorgeous. Nice, small friendly place. There was nobody from Clare that I didn't like. It's in the centre of town but as it has Kings next door the tourists largely leave it alone.
Wishing her the very best of luck!

@lemondrops99

Very valid point you raised about inflated predicted grades. My son doesn’t have perfect set of GCSEs grades and he did open application as he really didn’t mind which college he goes to if he gets it. He is open minded and realistic and it was his decision to try despite the odds. I am proud of him for being brave enough to give it go and I wish him and everyone else luck. Admission officers have hard job to do

@Hollowgast

Ooh, good choice. Clare is gorgeous. Nice, small friendly place. There was nobody from Clare that I didn't like. It's in the centre of town but as it has Kings next door the tourists largely leave it alone. Wishing her the very best of luck!

Thank you so much!

[quote GJRead]@lemondrops99

Very valid point you raised about inflated predicted grades. My son doesn’t have perfect set of GCSEs grades and he did open application as he really didn’t mind which college he goes to if he gets it. He is open minded and realistic and it was his decision to try despite the odds. I am proud of him for being brave enough to give it go and I wish him and everyone else luck. Admission officers have hard job to do[/quote]
Wishing your son all the best possible luck with his application.

So glad she's applying. Good luck

@Dishwashersaurous

So glad she's applying. Good luck

Thank you! May as well give it a shot!