The Cambridge admissions process is slightly different to most other universities
and starts earlier to give us enough time to process all the elements of the application.
We're going to run through some of the common concerns raised by teachers and advisers
of applicants to Cambridge.
First, what are we looking for in our candidates?
Above all, we're looking for students who will excel on our courses;
those with the academic ability and potential to thrive in our small group teaching.
Generally, this will be your top performing students.
Candidates will be thoroughly engaged in their academic subject
including super-curricular exploration, and we'd encourage you to support them with this.
This could be suggesting additional reading around a topic
or getting a group of like-minded students together for academic discussion and debate.
We're often asked whether taking four A Levels would benefit applicants.
In most cases we'd encourage students to concentrate on
three A Levels and aim for top grades.
We would only recommend taking four A Levels
where it is useful preparation for the course.
For example, taking Further Maths, if available, as a fourth A Level
for courses in which a higher level of Maths is important.
Ideally, you should be advising students from an early stage
so they can pick the most appropriate subject combinations for their future aspirations.
It's also worth noting that GCSE grades don't usually form part of our entry requirements,
but are used as a performance indicator within the context of the school where they were attained.
Next up, teacher references. We're specifically looking for evidence
of academic strengths and if a student is suited to the course and teaching style at Cambridge.
Don't be nervous approaching the reference.
We don't expect one person to know a candidate inside out.
The reference is usually a compilation of teacher comments that are brought together.
Useful content may be the rankings within the school or the subject,
exploration beyond the curriculum, and any reasons for underperforming in any qualifications.
Where a student has experienced particular personal or educational disadvantage
we ask you to complete an extenuating circumstances form for them,
in addition to providing a teacher reference.
Overall, we give applicants as many opportunities as possible to demonstrate their strengths.
In addition to the UCAS form, any submitted work,
admissions assessments, and interviews, we use several types of contextual data to give us a
more complete picture of the circumstances that underpin a student's attainment.
This includes, amongst other measures, the socio-economic characteristics of the local area,
the performance of the school, and eligibility for Free School Meals.
This information allows us to assess applicants more holistically.
So, how can you support your students in applying to Cambridge?
You should help your students understand each element of the admissions process,
and associated deadlines.
Often, if a deadline is missed we won't be able to consider the application.
Most applicants take a written assessment.
Some assessments are organised by the Cambridge Colleges and others need to
be registered for in advance via a registered assessment centre, which is usually the school.
Check you have everything in place to register your students for the appropriate assessments.
Also ensure that they know where to find example admissions tests.
You can also help them prepare for interviews by encouraging them to
talk with fluency and enthusiasm about their subject and interests,
and to consider challenging questions about their subject that are put to them.
Over-rehearsed, pre-prepared answers are not helpful.
Candidates should be encouraged to read more deeply into their subjects
and be able to vocalise their thought process and reasoning.
If finance is a barrier for your students we have a very generous Cambridge Bursary Scheme
which is automatically paid to all eligible students
plus enhanced funding for estranged students, care leavers and those on Free School Meals.
Remember, if your students don't apply we can't make them an offer.
If you have students with the academic ability and potential
to succeed at Cambridge, please do encourage them to apply.
We're always here to support both applicants and teachers
through the process, so do please reach out if you need to.