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Higher education

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Original poster

Cambridge colleges

60 replies

RaskolnikovsGarret · 07/09/2018 20:09

DD is applying to Cambridge, and has decided to apply for a particular college.

However, seven other students from her school are also applying to that college, although not for the same subject. The school does not let students apply for the same course at the same college, but students can apply for different courses at the same college.

For some reason, I feel that the college wouldn’t let eight students from the same school in, even though they would be studying different subjects. I think that DD is setting up an unnecessary obstacle for herself before she has begun the process. DD has a good chance of an offer, but would applying to this particular college jeopardise her chances of being offered a place?

Any thoughts gratefully received. She does have a second choice college in mind, although that objectively is probably harder to get into.

Thank you

OP posts:
ShalomJackie · 07/09/2018 21:10

The college will take the best candidates that apply to it. It will not matter which school or subject. If they consider them to be the best they will make an offer. The next tranche down will be pooled. Let her apply to where she wants. It is not up to the school.

Original poster
RaskolnikovsGarret · 07/09/2018 21:41

Thank you - that’s very helpful.

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OhYouBadBadKitten · 07/09/2018 23:32

Don't let the perceived difficulty of getting into a college put your dd off. Which college does she actually prefer, first or second choice?

ErrolTheDragon · 07/09/2018 23:45

I don't know, but I'd bet there are colleges which take more than that from some of the boys public schools...

So long as your DD has her own reasons for preferring this college (can she articulate them if they asked her at interview?) then IMO she should go for it.

FWIW, my DD didn't get offered a place at her preferred college. She'd been adamant she wouldn't want to go to a women's college... so, sure enough she was pooled to one. You've never seen someone have a 180 change of mind so quickly. And after a year she loves it and is glad she was rejected by her original choice.

Original poster
RaskolnikovsGarret · 08/09/2018 07:41

Thanks, Errol. She does have clear reasons for choosing this college. Interesting about your daughter’s view changing regarding college choice. Hope my DD can be as flexible/sensible should she be made an offer.

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Original poster
RaskolnikovsGarret · 08/09/2018 07:42

Kitten, she preferred her first choice.

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OhYouBadBadKitten · 08/09/2018 08:55

If everyone is applying for different subjects I don't think the admissions people for each subject will have much inkling about the other students. Unless there are a really large cohort applying across Cambridge or there has been an outreach program from that college I do wonder what is drawing such a large grouping to one college.

Your dd should apply for the place she loves but be prepared to rapidly switch allegiance should she get pooled.

Michaelahpurple · 08/09/2018 09:01

FWIW the "big boys public school" DS1 goes to states it does not allow Tel boys to apply for the same subject at the same college but I haven't seen anything about how many on different subjects. Can't imagine how they enforce it though.

Needmoresleep · 08/09/2018 09:19

Five of DS' school peers ended up at the same Oxford college. Different subjects though. A pity in a way as they might have preferred to meet new people.

Penguinsnpandas · 08/09/2018 09:24

Shouldn't make any difference as long as she has reasons for picking the college.

Mumoftwoyoungkids · 08/09/2018 09:32

Admissions is done by subject so they may not even realise.

I applied to the same college and same course as someone else from my school. One of us got in and the other was pooled to a different college.

Original poster
RaskolnikovsGarret · 08/09/2018 09:35

Thanks all. This is incredibly helpful.

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Original poster
RaskolnikovsGarret · 08/09/2018 09:38

The three in total she liked were King’s, St Catherine’s and Downing. Whilst I’m here, does anyone have any views on those? Thanks

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ShalomJackie · 08/09/2018 16:06

Pmd you

MarchingFrogs · 09/09/2018 15:58

Can't imagine how they enforce it though

BW refusing to add their reference until they agreed to change?

MarchingFrogs · 09/09/2018 16:00

By...

jeanne16 · 09/09/2018 16:04

My DS was pooled and happily accepted the College that made him an offer. He loves it and can’t imagine being anywhere else. Most students like the College they go to so I wouldn’t stress about the choice.

MingaTurtle · 09/09/2018 16:18

Three of us applied to the same Cambridge college from my school. One of the others actually said to me, in a rather pointed tone, “you know we won’t all get in”. I wasn’t fussed as I knew being a girl applying for physical natural sciences made me the most likely of the three to get in Grin. We did all get in. As at school, we didn’t really see each other or mix in the same social groups.

I suspect that 7 might be pushing it. I’d look at whether your DD is a strong candidate. If she is then I’d not let it put her off. If she’s less confident then it might be worth her switching so that it isn’t playing on her mind at interview.

I’d also consider how she’d feel about being pooled and ending up at a women’s college or Girton. I knew I didn’t want to go to a women’s college, but plenty of women do and are happy.

ErrolTheDragon · 09/09/2018 16:46

It occurs to me that the school's restriction might be more that they think it's better for the students sake to be spreading out and meeting new people rather than perhaps finding themselves pairing up by default with a former schoolmate. If they're really friends then they'll stay friends even if they're in different colleges and courses.

good to see you, glad hear he's thriving too!

IrmaFayLear · 09/09/2018 17:09

Ds's school also advised against applying to the same college for the same subject . If people are applying for very different courses, it doesn't matter.

However, you really don't want to place any obstacle in your way, so if you know three people from your school are applying for History at King's, then do yourself a favour and choose another college. Ds is not a fan of King's. Nicer to look at than be at. He says that his favourite colleges are St John's and Pembroke (but that may be based on the Sunday brunches which he enjoys touring round sampling...).

Original poster
RaskolnikovsGarret · 09/09/2018 17:10

Thanks. This is all really helpful.

She is a strong candidate as one of the only one(s) in her year to be predicted 4 A stars. And actually she is not totally sold on Cambridge, so would be happy with her second choice, King’s London, so she thinks she may as well apply for the Cambridge college she actually likes. But still not 100 per cent made her decision.

Agree that it is better to make new friends. I think one of the reasons she likes the college is that several older girls from her school were there, so it felt familiar at open days. That’s not the only reason of course, but it added to the overall picture.

She has found out that the college is one of the most oversubscribed for her subject, so that is making her pause. But I know the advice is not to let that put you off.

We will see - she always decides/changes her mind at the last minute anyway!

Thanks all

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Original poster
RaskolnikovsGarret · 09/09/2018 17:11

Thanks. We didn’t see St John’s at the open day but I think we probably should have. I think I would agree with your DS’s view of King’s. The idea was better than the reality.

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IrmaFayLear · 09/09/2018 17:23

Ds had a change of heart. He was all set on Merton, Oxford, and we went back for another look and he had a bit of a meltdown and decided he not only hated Merton but the whole of Oxford Confused .

MingaTurtle · 09/09/2018 17:35

When I got to my interview at Cambridge, I bumped into a girl from the year above me at school. She took me to find my interviews and to meet some of her friends. I think it really helped me to feel at ease. So I can understand knowing people helping your DD feel comfortable.

IrmaFayLear · 09/09/2018 17:52

I wouldn't worry, though. Ds knew no one in the whole of Cambridge. Only one of his friends he has made came from a school that sent lots of people, and she doesn't hang out with them at all.