Cambridge Interviews:the facts

Cambridge Interviews:the facts

Why do we interview?Admissions decisions at Cambridge are based solely on academiccriteria, so you may be wondering why we interview applicants –what’s in it for us and what’s in it for you?

While there’s no blueprint for the ideal Cambridge student, there arecertain academic qualities we look for – ability, potential andcommitment. Almost all of our applicants are predicted top grades soit’s difficult to select applicants fairly based on their UCAS applicationalone. Therefore, interviewing applicants:

• allows us to assess whether their interests and aptitudes aresuited to the course they’ve chosen, and that they have thepotential to study it to a very high level, engage with new ideasand think conceptually

• gives applicants the opportunity to expand on the informationthey provided in their UCAS application, and to demonstrate theirpassion for and commitment to their subject, and their ability tothink critically and independently

• provides applicants with the opportunity to experience what theteaching at Cambridge is like and enables us to determinewhether they would flourish in this environment, as the interviewsare similar in many ways to supervisions

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Applying to Cambridge

The process of applying to Cambridge is very similar to the process ofapplying to other universities. However, there are a couple ofdifferences to consider. First, the application process starts earlier togive us time to assess all of our applicants fairly and carry outinterviews. Second, you have to think about choosing a College toapply to as well as choosing a course. Outlined below is a summaryof the process.

Research Choose a course

Choose a College (or decide on an open application)

Step 1 Action

Action Submit your UCAS application online (and any other applications, where relevant)

Submit your Supplementary Application Questionnaire (SAQ)

Step 2 Action

Selection Submit school/college essay(s) or sit admissions tests, as required

Attend an interview

We will then advise you of our decision and of any offer

Step 3 Action

My point of view

It’s really hard to know what to expect fromCambridge interviews and that’s sort of thepoint! Interviewers want to know how youthink and what you’re like as a person. Minewere challenging and I must have got mostquestions wrong but it just shows you’re abad judge of your own performance andthat Cambridge is looking for potential. Beenthusiastic and explain aloud what you’rethinking so the interviewers can see yourthought process.

The interviews are similar to supervisionsand, for me, they were as much aboutfinding out if Cambridge was right for me as it was finding out if I was right forCambridge. If you go in with that attitudethe whole thing seems much less scary!

Mhairi, Glasgow

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What to expect

Who do we interview?We try to interview all applicants with arealistic chance of being offered a place ontheir chosen course at Cambridge and everyyear we interview over 80 per cent of ourapplicants. If you have a good examinationrecord and a favourable reference, you’relikely to be asked to attend an interview.However, due to the level of competition for places, there are applicants each year whowon’t be interviewed.

When are the interviews?Interviews usually take place in the first three weeks of December so we stronglyrecommend that you don’t make anyunbreakable commitments for this time. If you have any specific learning difficulties, a disability or other special need, the Colleges will make every effort to meet your requirements, but make sure you tellthem well in advance of your interview.

Where will I be interviewed?Most interviews take place in the appropriateCollege. If you have time, take the chance tohave a look around the College and askstudents about their experiences of life atCambridge.

How many interviews will I haveand who will they be with?You’ll have one, two or three interviews eachlasting between 20 and 45 minutes. Howmany interviews you’ll have depends on theCollege to which you applied or wereallocated. However, you’ll be told what toexpect in advance.

Interviews are predominantly academic andsubject-related. One or two will be withspecialists in the subject you’ve applied for,one of whom is usually the Director ofStudies (who oversees your academic studiesat Cambridge).

The Colleges review all applicants, considering each individual’scircumstances, to decide who to invite for interview. Cambridgeinterviews vary slightly from subject to subject and from College toCollege, but the information below is generally true of all subjectsand Colleges and will give you an idea of what to expect.

My point of view

All those stories about students having tocatch a rugby ball or deal with a brokendoor knob at interview are nonsense.You’re welcomed to the College byfriendly people, taken to your interview by friendly people, and the interviewersare friendly people! They ask challengingquestions, but have no desire to put youoff Cambridge.

Definitely don’t prepare yourself to theword but think about some things youmight want to talk about or ask. Yourinterviewers want to see how you think onthe spot, and don’t be afraid to speak upwith your own opinions!

Kenichi, London

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There may be another more generalinterview with someone not directly relatedto your subject, probably a CollegeAdmissions Tutor, the person in charge ofadmissions for that College.

What will I be asked?Interviewers aren’t out to test you with trickquestions, but you will find some of thequestions quite challenging as they’redesigned to encourage you to think foryourself and develop an argument or tackle aproblem. What the interviewer really wants tofind out is how you think, rather than howmuch you know, and very often there are noright or wrong answers.

Remember:

• don’t panic if you don’t know the answerto a question. Interviewers aren’t trying tomake you feel ignorant. What they’relooking for is how well you can expandon what you know, and whether you canthink your way through a new problemand engage with an intellectualdiscussion

• don’t be afraid to consider new ideas

• if you don’t understand something, dosay so. Feel free to ask for clarification atany point if you need it

• answer the questions in your own way:don’t just say what you think theinterviewers want you to say or what yourteachers would want you to say

Subject-specific academic interviewThe purpose of this interview is to assess yourknowledge and understanding of yoursubject and your potential for studying it atCambridge. You should expect:

• a challenging discussion relating to yourchosen course, which may include topicscovered in your recent academic workand raised in your written application (eg wider reading and work experience)

• to be asked to apply your existingknowledge to new situations bydiscussing problems that you’ve notpreviously encountered

If you’re applying for a non-school subjectsuch as Medicine or Engineering, you shouldhave some background knowledge of thefield and what it involves. In all subjects we’relooking for informed enthusiasm!

General academic interviewYou may also have a general academicinterview, where you may be asked:

• to expand on the information you gave inyour personal statement – so keep arecord of what you wrote!

• why you want to come to Cambridge,and why you’re interested in your subject

• about your wider academic work andwhat you hope to do in the future as acareer. However, don’t worry if youhaven’t got any definite plans at thisstage!

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Will I have to do any written work?Colleges vary as to whether they ask you to sit short tests or provide written work; it also depends on the course you’ve applied for. You can find information aboutwhat the different Colleges typically requirefor your subject on the UndergraduateAdmissions website, and whatever you haveto do your College will inform you before youcome for interview. If you’re in any doubtabout what to expect, contact the Collegeand ask.

Are interviews at some Collegeseasier than at others?It’s a misconception to think one College’sinterviews are less difficult than another’s.Each College’s procedures are just differentways for them to gain a fuller picture of you.Our statistics show that, in fact, for equallywell-qualified applicants, the chance ofgetting a place at Cambridge isn’t affected byCollege choice.

Are extra-curricular activitiestaken into account?While achievements in extra-curricularactivities may be impressive, getting an offerof a place isn’t influenced by them. However,interviewers often ask about other interests orexperience that you mention in yourapplication where they’re of relevance to thecourse that you intend to study. If you’veexpressed a particular interest – in an authorperhaps, or a recent article or programme, orsome work or travelling you’ve done – beprepared to be asked about it.

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What should I wear?You’re not being assessed on your clothes orappearance so there’s no need to dressformally, and it’s not necessary to wear a suit.On the other hand, you might not want tolook as though you’re going to the gym or fora night out! The best rule to follow is to wearwhatever you feel comfortable in and don’tbe put off by what other people choose towear to their interview.

Sounds nerve-wracking...Interviewers know you may be nervous anddo try to make allowances as they want youto enjoy the interview so that it’s a positiveexperience. The best advice for calmingnerves is to do a little preparation (see p6–7).

It’s interesting to note that many applicantswho thought their interview was a completedisaster actually did very well. In addition,often to their surprise, many students reallyenjoy the opportunity to discuss a subjectthey’re passionate about with some of thecountry’s leading experts in the field.

You’re likely to meet other applicants whohave come for their interview too and, just as you shouldn’t be put off by what theychoose to wear, don’t be put off by what they say about their interview and what they discussed during it. Every applicant and every interview are different so, naturally,there can be great differences betweenanswers to similar questions. Remember that interviewers are looking for how youthink, not what you know (see ‘What will I be asked?’ p3). You should also keep in mindand be encouraged that you were invited tointerview because the Admissions Tutor(s)felt you have the potential to do well atCambridge and wanted to meet you.

My point of view

My interviews were nowhere near as scaryas I’d expected (maybe falling off the chairin my first one broke the ice!) and I cameout tired but having enjoyed them too.They were challenging but the interviewersweren’t trying to catch me out, they justwanted to see what I could do and wheremy thoughts would take me.

It can be a little intimidating beinginterviewed by two world experts in theirfield, but they want to offer you a place –that’s why they’re interviewing you. Justmake sure you’ve actually read everythingyou say you have on your personalstatement.

Charlotte, Doncaster

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1 Know what to expectBeing familiar with what’s likely to happenduring your interview can help to calm a lotof nerves. To give you an idea of what toexpect on the day, you may find it useful towatch our Interviews in Action film, availableon our website at:www.cam.ac.uk/interviews/.

You can also find further guidance and adviceon preparing for interviews in our ApplicantToolkit at: www.cam.ac.uk/applicant-toolkit/.

2 Obvious questionsThink about the obvious questions thatmight be asked and how you would answerthem – such as why you want to come toCambridge, and why you’ve chosen thisparticular subject.

3 Re-read your personal statementand any written workRe-read copies of any written work thatyou’ve sent to the College, and think abouthow you might expand on what you wrote ifasked. Also re-read your personal statementand be prepared to answer questions on theinformation you provided.

4 Read around your subjectThink about particular topics you’d like to talkabout – you can to some extent direct theinterview by showing interest in specifictopics that you’re asked about. Try toremember the author and/or title of thingsyou’ve read!

• In science subjects, read around the partsof the subject that particularly interestyou (either in scientific journals or popularscience books).

There aren’t any special tricks to preparing for interviews, andinterviewers can usually tell if an applicant has been over-rehearsedby well-meaning teachers or parents. On the other hand, there aresome things you can do beforehand which will, at the very least,make you feel more confident.

How to prepare

My point of view

Preparing was stressful and nerve-wracking but the interviews turned out tobe much better than I expected. Goodpreparation can involve re-familiarisingyourself with your personal statement,making sure you know your AS Levelmaterial well (including the stuff youhaven’t covered for a while), and perhapsreading round it a bit so you can approachany questions on it from a range of angles.It’s good to practise speaking confidentlyabout your subject and yourself too.

Finally, focus on your strengths andremember that the interviewer will actuallybe trying to work with you to bring out thebest in you, and not trying to trip you up.

Oliver, Manchester

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• In arts subjects, make sure that you’veread something outside the prescribedtexts for your school/college subjects andhave thought critically about what you’veread.

You may be asked about topical issues anddevelopments connected to your chosencourse (particularly those readily visible in thewider world). However, you won’t be askedabout your knowledge of current affairs ormatters unconnected to the subject area.

5 Practice interviewYou may want to ask someone who doesn’tknow you very well, such as a teacher, to giveyou a practice interview, or even try askingyourself questions for half an hour – they’llprobably be much more difficult than yourinterviewers’ questions! This will help you to

get used to talking about yourself and yourwork and thinking critically about things.

6 Any questions?At the end of the interview you’ll probablyhave a chance to ask any questions, so, ifthere’s something you want to know thathasn’t been covered, now’s your chance tofind out. However, don’t worry if you can’tthink of anything. You don’t need to asksomething just for the sake of it. In fact, it cangive a bad impression if you ask a questionthat’s easily answered by reading theProspectus or looking online.

7 And finallyProbably the most important tips are to beon time, be as relaxed as possible, and, aboveall, be yourself!

Please note

We are aware of private companies whooffer, at a charge, information and adviceon our admissions process and interviews.

We DO NOT support or encourage any ofthese commercial enterprises. None ofthese companies has access to anyinformation that is not already readilyavailable free of charge to all schools,colleges and individual students fromCollege admissions offices, the CambridgeAdmissions Office or CambridgeUniversity Students’ Union.

Please contact the admissions office atany College or the Cambridge AdmissionsOffice for more information.

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After the interview

After your interview you should hear back from us in early January.There are three possible outcomes.

1 Receive an offerYou might be made an offer. This will mostlikely be conditional, and dependent on youachieving certain grades in the qualificationsyou’re taking. If you’re made an offer, youmust contact UCAS to let them knowwhether you accept the offer or not.

2 Placed in the winter poolYour College may have been impressed byyour application but be unable to make youan offer because it doesn’t have any placesleft. In this case your application will beplaced in the ‘winter pool’ and perhapspicked up by another College, which maythen ask you to come for a second interviewin January or may offer you a place without afurther interview. See the website for moredetails about the winter pool.

If no College is able to offer you a place, theCollege you applied to/were allocated to willcontact you, normally by the end of January.

3 UnsuccessfulYour application may be unsuccessful.Disappointing though this is, we hope you’llhave found the application process a usefulexperience and valuable preparation for yourother university choices. On average, wereceive around five applications for eachplace, so every year we have to turn downmany students with good grade predictionswhom we would like to have taken.

Don’t let the prospect of not getting a placeput you off applying. We can’t offer you aplace if you don’t apply to us. Wherever youcome from, whatever your school or college,if you think you’ve got something to offer,and we’ve got something to offer you, we’dencourage you to apply.

My point of view

It’s important to read about your subjectof interest so you’ll be able to talkconfidently during your interview –interviewers want to know that you have areal passion for and commitment to yoursubject. When deciding what to read, don’tfall into the temptation of surfing randomsites that come up on an internet search.Go to the library and read proper books,academic and professional journals and ofcourse the newspapers.

Before answering questions, take yourtime to think about your answer. If there’ssomething you don’t understand in thequestion, ask the interviewer.

Isabella, Nigeria

Details are correct at the time of print (March 2011) but should be checked against the University website for up-to-date information.

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More information and advice about interviews, including our Interviews in Action film, areavailable on the Undergraduate Admissions website (www.cam.ac.uk/interviews/) and theonline Applicant Toolkit (www.cam.ac.uk/applicant-toolkit/).

If you have any further questions, or would like a copy of our Undergraduate Prospectus,please contact any College admissions office or the Cambridge Admissions Office.

Cambridge Admissions OfficeFitzwilliam House32 Trumpington StreetCambridge CB2 1QY

Telephone: 01223 333308Fax: 01223 746868Email: admissions@cam.ac.ukwww.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/

Further information

Cambridge Admissions OfficeFitzwilliam House32 Trumpington StreetCambridge CB2 1QY

Telephone: 01223 333308Fax: 01223 746868Email: admissions@cam.ac.uk

www.cam.ac.uk