Mistakes you made in the admissions process...

Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Cambridge is crazy competitive to get into, if your kid is not getting into HPYS he or she is not getting into Cambridge.


LOL. I know right? OP is in lalaland.


Not OP.

But Cambridge doesn't take extracurriculars into consideration. Things like SAT 2s and AP exam grades count for admissions for US students, unlike most elite US schools.

So a very high stat student who doesn't have that extra whatever that HYPS wants, could get into Cambridge, or Oxford, somewhat more easily.


Yes they do. I applied very far back but I had to have interviews when I applied to both Oxford and Cambridge. I went to an elite school where most students got straight As and they took one student from my school. I also recall essays.
Anonymous
Yes, but those aren't extracurriculars in the traditional sense as HYPS look for.

The essay and interview are academic in nature- to assess your fit for the program and your knowledge/potential. Getting into Cambridge and Oxford is almost fully academic.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Yes, but those aren't extracurriculars in the traditional sense as HYPS look for.

The essay and interview are academic in nature- to assess your fit for the program and your knowledge/potential. Getting into Cambridge and Oxford is almost fully academic.


People from all over the world want to get into Oxbridge, if you are not Ivy caliber you are not Oxbridge material, it's really the cream of the crop who get there, be it emphasis on academics or extracurriculars. It is not easier to get into there, period.
Anonymous
We'll just have to agree to disagree. I do believe Oxford and Cambridge are in the same level, but I don't think they are as difficult to get into as HYPS. Yes, only the cream of the crop applies and gets in, but the same is the case with HYPS and those have a far lower acceptance rate to boot.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Yes, but those aren't extracurriculars in the traditional sense as HYPS look for.

The essay and interview are academic in nature- to assess your fit for the program and your knowledge/potential. Getting into Cambridge and Oxford is almost fully academic.


You are quite right, Cambridge people cant understand the concept of well rounded,holistic and legacy approach the American use. Actually they think that the US system is discriminatory classist and unfair.
Anonymous
What about Canada and the Swiss system?
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:What about Canada and the Swiss system?


U of Toronto is like Oxbridge. McGill somewhat more holistic like US.

No clue re Swiss.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What about Canada and the Swiss system?


U of Toronto is like Oxbridge. McGill somewhat more holistic like US.

No clue re Swiss.


The Canadian Universities are cheaper, but no cheaper than in-state publics. U of Toronto is $47,000 CA tuition, plus room and board. Are you really going to have your kid apply to 14 US schools and then try and figure out the Canadian and other international admission requirements at the same time? Unless your kid really wants to go abroad, I'd add some schools like University of Rochester, or Case Western, that are highly ranked and will give merit aid. We are dual Canadian-US citizens but our kids still go to university in the US because of the advantages of a US education.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Cambridge is crazy competitive to get into, if your kid is not getting into HPYS he or she is not getting into Cambridge.


LOL. I know right? OP is in lalaland.


Not OP.

But Cambridge doesn't take extracurriculars into consideration. Things like SAT 2s and AP exam grades count for admissions for US students, unlike most elite US schools.

So a very high stat student who doesn't have that extra whatever that HYPS wants, could get into Cambridge, or Oxford, somewhat more easily.


Yes they do. I applied very far back but I had to have interviews when I applied to both Oxford and Cambridge. I went to an elite school where most students got straight As and they took one student from my school. I also recall essays.


Nope

No essays ,SATII ,community service nor any holistic stuff
Just academics transcripts

3. Apply
UCAS application

Submit your UCAS application by 15 October – our institution code is CAM C05.

Supplementary Application Questionnaire (SAQ)

Shortly after submitting the UCAS application, you will be requested (via email) to complete the Supplementary Application Questionnaire (SAQ) – a few extra questions requesting information not included in your UCAS application which we find helpful. To make a valid application to the University of Cambridge, you must submit your SAQ by the deadline set. In the majority of cases this deadline will be 6.00pm (UK time) on 22 October 2017.

Cambridge Online Preliminary Application (COPA)

If living/attending school/college outside the EU and/or applying for an Organ Scholarship applicants need to submit the Cambridge Online Preliminary Application (COPA).

There is an additional application form if you're applying for the Graduate Course in Medicine.

Transcripts

You may be required to submit an academic transcript.

Other application deadlines apply for those wishing to be interviewed in overseas countries, and for some mature applicants.

4. Written assessment
Most applicants are required to take a written admission assessment, either pre-interview or at interview (if interviewed).

5. Interview
Everyone with a realistic chance of being offered a place is invited to attend an interview. That’s around 75 per cent of applicants each year.

6. Decision
We’ll advise you of our decision before the end of January.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:We'll just have to agree to disagree. I do believe Oxford and Cambridge are in the same level, but I don't think they are as difficult to get into as HYPS. Yes, only the cream of the crop applies and gets in, but the same is the case with HYPS and those have a far lower acceptance rate to boot.


Because everyone applies to HYPS. They give excellent financial aid if you make <$60k, love hooks,... I hear people come up with a reasonable list and then add “ HYPS, because it’s HYPS”....which is why their accepatamce rate is <10%. Only a certain bunch apply to Oxford/Cambridge....people who are comfortable with international, don’t mind being far from home as 18-19yo, have funds to travel, and have super high stats! I don’t know bout financial aid, but if they don’t offer much then add people who can pay full freight to the mix, and now you’ve cut down your number of applications; So it’s not easier to get in, there are fewer people applying. and it’s a niche group where almost all of them are qualified, so I would say it’s harder to get in.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We'll just have to agree to disagree. I do believe Oxford and Cambridge are in the same level, but I don't think they are as difficult to get into as HYPS. Yes, only the cream of the crop applies and gets in, but the same is the case with HYPS and those have a far lower acceptance rate to boot.


Because everyone applies to HYPS. They give excellent financial aid if you make <$60k, love hooks,... I hear people come up with a reasonable list and then add “ HYPS, because it’s HYPS”....which is why their accepatamce rate is <10%. Only a certain bunch apply to Oxford/Cambridge....people who are comfortable with international, don’t mind being far from home as 18-19yo, have funds to travel, and have super high stats! I don’t know bout financial aid, but if they don’t offer much then add people who can pay full freight to the mix, and now you’ve cut down your number of applications; So it’s not easier to get in, there are fewer people applying. and it’s a niche group where almost all of them are qualified, so I would say it’s harder to get in.


Cambridge is much easy than HYPS


Entry requirements

Applicants from the USA taking College Board SATs and Advanced Placement (AP) Tests should note that offers are usually made on an individual basis. High passes in the High School Diploma and the SAT are expected. Recent reforms have altered the SAT scoring system and the new format has been in place since March 2016. A detailed and updated explanation of the changes can be found on the CollegeBoard website. For applicants who took the SAT before March 2016, a high pass in the SAT equates to at least 1,400 in Critical Reading and Mathematics and also 700 or more in Writing, to give a combined score of at least 2,100. For applicants who took the new SAT (first offered in March 2016) a high pass equates to at least 730 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and 730 in Mathematics, to give a combined score of at least 1,460. An ACT score of at least 32 out of 36 may be accepted instead of the SAT.

We also require five College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Tests at grade 5 in appropriate subjects. Please note that SAT Subject Tests are not normally viewed as being equivalent to A Level/IB Higher Level/Advanced Placement (AP) Tests.

Applicants taking College Board SATs and/or Advanced Placement (AP) Tests are required to disclose all qualifications taken and scores achieved. Failure to disclose any scores may disadvantage your application and the Cambridge Colleges reserve the right to contact your school to confirm your results.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:


Berkeley,UVA,CMU,UMCP,TA&M

Stats
SAT 1480, ACT 34, GPA 4.00 and 4.6 w, NHS,honors and 6 APs


OP, I hope you don't take this the wrong way but I don't think your DC is as competitive as you think. Given 4.6 wt GPA, I assume you are from MCPS (FCPS only give .5 to honors, I think) and given DC has 6 APs, I assume he has taken mostly honors courses. So, while his test scores are respectable, there are literally thousands of kids with similar or better stats in MCPS. For UMD, I think you DC will get in no problem but probably not good enough for merit scholarship - nothing significant anyway. I say this so you can calibrate your DC's list of schools and add more safety schools. Good luck.


+1 I agree. OP's kid has good stats but not anything really stands out.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We'll just have to agree to disagree. I do believe Oxford and Cambridge are in the same level, but I don't think they are as difficult to get into as HYPS. Yes, only the cream of the crop applies and gets in, but the same is the case with HYPS and those have a far lower acceptance rate to boot.


Because everyone applies to HYPS. They give excellent financial aid if you make <$60k, love hooks,... I hear people come up with a reasonable list and then add “ HYPS, because it’s HYPS”....which is why their accepatamce rate is <10%. Only a certain bunch apply to Oxford/Cambridge....people who are comfortable with international, don’t mind being far from home as 18-19yo, have funds to travel, and have super high stats! I don’t know bout financial aid, but if they don’t offer much then add people who can pay full freight to the mix, and now you’ve cut down your number of applications; So it’s not easier to get in, there are fewer people applying. and it’s a niche group where almost all of them are qualified, so I would say it’s harder to get in.


Cambridge is much easy than HYPS


Entry requirements

Applicants from the USA taking College Board SATs and Advanced Placement (AP) Tests should note that offers are usually made on an individual basis. High passes in the High School Diploma and the SAT are expected. Recent reforms have altered the SAT scoring system and the new format has been in place since March 2016. A detailed and updated explanation of the changes can be found on the CollegeBoard website. For applicants who took the SAT before March 2016, a high pass in the SAT equates to at least 1,400 in Critical Reading and Mathematics and also 700 or more in Writing, to give a combined score of at least 2,100. For applicants who took the new SAT (first offered in March 2016) a high pass equates to at least 730 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and 730 in Mathematics, to give a combined score of at least 1,460. An ACT score of at least 32 out of 36 may be accepted instead of the SAT.

We also require five College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Tests at grade 5 in appropriate subjects. Please note that SAT Subject Tests are not normally viewed as being equivalent to A Level/IB Higher Level/Advanced Placement (AP) Tests.

Applicants taking College Board SATs and/or Advanced Placement (AP) Tests are required to disclose all qualifications taken and scores achieved. Failure to disclose any scores may disadvantage your application and the Cambridge Colleges reserve the right to contact your school to confirm your results.


Whatever. Come back when your kid gets into Cambridge, I remember my year one person from my entire country got in.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:That's not true. Cambridge is slightly easier to get into than HYPS. Historically, US applicants have seen acceptance rates ranging from 11.5-17%.

In our experience, the students who went to Cambridge/Oxford from the US got rejected from HYPS but did often get into other Ivies and top schools.


This has been my experience as well. They are more or less similar of course but i know of many kids who made it to non-HYPS ivies/top schools as well as Oxbridge but were rejected from HYPS. Harvard and Stanford especially are more difficult to get into than Oxbridge.
Anonymous
Applications, offers and acceptances by type of school/college and gender
The total number of applications is 16,750 (16,431), an increase of 1.9%. The total number of offers is 4,307 (4,253), an increase of 1.3%.
The total number of acceptances is 3,457 (3,449), an increase of 0.2%. The male:female ratio of accepted students is 52:48 (52:48).
For applications from Home students attending UK schools/colleges the proportions of acceptances by school/college type are:
Maintained 62.5% (62.0%)
Independent 37.5% (38.0

Last year 347 US citizens applied to Cambridge U. 40 got offers.
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