During the February half term, I visited Cambridge and it was an interesting experience. Seeing successful students who came from the same areas I grew up in gave me a sense of familiarity, it was quite inspiring. The students, as well as the admissions tutor and Sonita Alleyne (Cambridge’s first black master) gave me some tips on getting into Cambridge. So these are my five takeaways from everything they said.
- The Benefits Of Attending Cambridge University
One important benefit about attending Cambridge that the admissions tutor highlighted is the 98% employment rate after graduation. That number definitely surprised me to think that only 2% of the students that attend could face problems with employment after they graduated. On the other hand, the average employment rate is 83% in other universities in the UK; meaning the risk of unemployment after graduation is higher.
Another benefit, the admissions tutor highlighted was the quality of teaching while studying at Cambridge. Students who attend are ‘taught by the people who write the books,’ this comes with avid benefits as these professors can give different interpretations and insight that cannot be given from others.
2. Do Super-Curricular Activities
Super-curricular activities are things you do which deepen your knowledge in a certain area and essentially shows you have an interest in that subject. Doing super-curricular activities was a tip I got from one of the students and the admissions tutor. As everyone who applies to Cambridge is going to be as good as you academically, super-curricular activities separates you from other candidates. It also can give you an advantage in the interview stage because you will be able to show your deep knowledge in the subject you want to do.
3. Make Your Personal Statement Interesting
A personal statement is 4000 words about yourself and what makes you unique from the other candidates. This ties into my previous takeaway as super-curricular activities on your personal statement will separate you and give you an advantage. Additionally, other activities such as: sports and music would look good on your personal statement because it shows you do things outside of academics.
4. Cambridge’s Social Life
Not so much a takeaway however, I found it interesting that although Cambridge is a prestigious university the students can have a good social life and that there was a good sense of community throughout the colleges.
5. You Can Do It
Most of the students I talked to had not been interested in Cambridge until Year 12 , most of them initially didn’t believe that they could get in; however, they persevered and now they study there. This taught me an important lesson: if anyone puts their mind to something they can achieve great things.
