Activities this summer for someone potentially applying for Maths at Cambridge 2022

[PeaceLoveAndCandy]

Would appreciate any ideas. Thanks so much.

Don't know what that video is at the end - sorry please ignore!

We are doing the same process (sorry to hijack) for physics Oxford/Imperial etc. 2022 - if anyone has any ideas!

@Pallando - well, I was almost right. I must admit that my interests are more in the architectural line than the mathematical, which probably explains the mis-remembering (obviously quite a bit of overlap, but my interest is just interest, so no danger of me designing something and someone trying to build it and it falling down).

And here you are, despite my confusion, which is the most important thing.

The very best place to look is on the subject pages of the Oxford and Cambridge and individual College websites. DS1 studying CS, not heading for Oxbridge but still looking for material or courses, found some great suggestions and opportunities that way and wished we'd looked sooner. They even have things like on line math clubs for interested school pupils. After registering for a CS open day at Oxford he now regularly gets sent details of activities and events from the department, and nearly all free.

In fact I would advise anyone thinking of Oxbridge to invest time trawling their websites - all the information you need is all there, sometimes its a bit hidden and needs a bit of digging.

@toffeebutterpopcorn basically everything I have mentioned would be useful for most STEM subjects (possibly not the STEP 2/3 modules, though the mechanics ones might be helpful)

Thank you.

I don’t know how this has happened. Only yesterday he was running around in his underpants with his toy monster, singing ‘I love, you love, we love chocolate cake’.

@Pallando, once again I am blown away by the kindness of people. Thank you so very much Pallando. I will go through all the info and links you have generously provided. Much appreciated.

Apologies, just realised I repeated what has already been said (doh!)

@AChickenCalledDaal

STEP practice ... and anything that will help with STEP ... and then some more STEP practice.

I wouldn't worry too much about work experience. It's all about being brilliant at maths.

(Speaking as the parent of maths offer-holder for 2020 entry. They got an offer, got the As, practiced STEP diligently from the middle of year 12, and still didn't make the grade. It's HARD and it's the main thing they use to make the final cut.)

One of my DC did exactly the same, missed the offer in spite of 4 xAs. He practised lots of STEP but had no coaching or teaching. At the time we tried to persuade him to apply to Oxford as there is no STEP.

I agree completely that there is no value in work experience it's all about Maths. DS was fascinated by mathematicians and maths history, read everything he could find on those. They might have helped get an interview but actually getting the offer was about performing well at maths in the interview.