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I guess T and Sam are the peeps to ask seeing as they're the closest 
Posted: 18:06 Sep 19 2003
Cambridge??
Hey all,
Just wondering what people know about Cambridge 'cause I'm applying to the uni and haven't been down for open day or anything (yup, stupid!) and I was just wondering what to expect if I get to interview stage and stuff.
Also wondering what you can tell me about the night life
costs in pubs and supermarkets etc.
Emmy *head full of
* damned UCAS
Just wondering what people know about Cambridge 'cause I'm applying to the uni and haven't been down for open day or anything (yup, stupid!) and I was just wondering what to expect if I get to interview stage and stuff.
Also wondering what you can tell me about the night life
costs in pubs and supermarkets etc.Emmy *head full of
* damned UCAS
23 Replies and 2838 Views in Total. [ 1 2 ]
Posted: 18:06 Sep 19 2003 
i knew a few people that applied for cambridge... lots of hard work and extra forms and stuff. the interviews there usually last a few days as you get interviewed by your department, your college of choice and then other colleges incase you don't get into your first choice. much fun. a friend of mine went there for medicine and left in the feburary cos she had no life at all as she didn't finish til 9pm, then she had homework and stuff... not good. but depending on what you're applying for it can be good apparently, just be prepared to work hard!
Posted: 18:09 Sep 19 2003
I love Cambridge. I'm about 15 miles outside it but go at least a couple of times a week. I have no idea about applying to the universities but most of them are very pretty to look at, lol. In the summer it's great down by the river with the punts and pubs. There are some clubs but I tend to only go to them when they have rock/indie nights. There are always live bands playing <plug>Check out Right Turn Clyde</plug>
Pub prices are slightly more expensive than Manchester and there are two main shopping areas. The Grafton center is your typical shopping mall. All the usual shops Debenhams, Next, BHS, Hennes & a 10 screen cinema. In town there are some of the usual shops but loads of little indie shops and excellent cafes. Most places will give students a discount.
The only downside is the gits on bicycles. They should all be shot
Pub prices are slightly more expensive than Manchester and there are two main shopping areas. The Grafton center is your typical shopping mall. All the usual shops Debenhams, Next, BHS, Hennes & a 10 screen cinema. In town there are some of the usual shops but loads of little indie shops and excellent cafes. Most places will give students a discount.
The only downside is the gits on bicycles. They should all be shot
Posted: 18:31 Sep 19 2003 
I have been there for a Cricket tour and there is a nice canal to go punting down. Lots of bikes too as I recall. Overall quite pleasant. Good luck with the uin application.
Posted: 18:35 Sep 19 2003
Thank you everyone! I'm a know-nothing when it comes to so much so you guys have really helped I'll let you know what happens
I'll let you know what happens
Posted: 18:57 Sep 19 2003
I live in Cambridge.
It's ok - not that many great shops but enough if you want to have a day shopping.
Depends what sort of nightlife you're after. There's a Wetherspoons pub (where I now work as of last week some evenings) so drinks can be pretty cheap.
If you like rock there's a few pubs that have rock bands. There's a few nightclubs and trendy bars. Drop me a line if you want proper details.
It's ok - not that many great shops but enough if you want to have a day shopping.
Depends what sort of nightlife you're after. There's a Wetherspoons pub (where I now work as of last week some evenings) so drinks can be pretty cheap.
If you like rock there's a few pubs that have rock bands. There's a few nightclubs and trendy bars. Drop me a line if you want proper details.
Posted: 19:00 Sep 19 2003
What course are you thinking of applying for?
The expected work load won't necessarily vary between subjects, but the type of work does. For example, arts students are likely to spend more time in the library working under their own steam and less in lectures, whereas the scientists have more scheduled hours of lectures and lab work.
Night life... I don't have any complaints, but I'm more of a stay-in drinking gal. Especially at Cambridge prices, a bottle of sainsbury's cheapest spirits and some mixers will get you more drunk for your money
All the colleges have social events (and often subsidised bars), and you'll probably find most of your friends come from in college unless you make the effort to join university-wide societies.
There's something like 4 nightclubs, all pretty crap (though Unique at Life, which is the LBG night, is one of my most pleasant clubbing experiences, even if week to week the music doesn't change much).
Ummm... need more questions.
The expected work load won't necessarily vary between subjects, but the type of work does. For example, arts students are likely to spend more time in the library working under their own steam and less in lectures, whereas the scientists have more scheduled hours of lectures and lab work.
Night life... I don't have any complaints, but I'm more of a stay-in drinking gal. Especially at Cambridge prices, a bottle of sainsbury's cheapest spirits and some mixers will get you more drunk for your money
All the colleges have social events (and often subsidised bars), and you'll probably find most of your friends come from in college unless you make the effort to join university-wide societies.
There's something like 4 nightclubs, all pretty crap (though Unique at Life, which is the LBG night, is one of my most pleasant clubbing experiences, even if week to week the music doesn't change much).
Ummm... need more questions.
Posted: 22:33 Sep 19 2003
Ok, can only speak as someone from "The Other Place"...! (ox, in case you're wondering!)
There are some things, course-wise, that are the same. Many extra forms, big workload, etc. *BUT* don't let people saying that put you off! I've been over here in Ox 7 years now, and it is a lot of work, but I have way, waaaaay, waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too *much* life! There is so much to do, and I know from friends over Cambs way that it's the same. Music to play, theatre to be in, societies to join, sports to do...
So I say, go go go go for it!! The worst they can do is say no, and if you don't apply, then you will never know, and you may miss out on the most fantastic experience of your life. Obviously, it doesn't suit everyone - but then I know people who've dropped out of almost any university you can name, you can't know till you try. Spot the person who does the access open days here!
no, seriously, please try, see what it's like. Better to try it and not like it than not try and spend your life wondering...
Please let us know how it goes!
There are some things, course-wise, that are the same. Many extra forms, big workload, etc. *BUT* don't let people saying that put you off! I've been over here in Ox 7 years now, and it is a lot of work, but I have way, waaaaay, waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too *much* life! There is so much to do, and I know from friends over Cambs way that it's the same. Music to play, theatre to be in, societies to join, sports to do...
So I say, go go go go for it!! The worst they can do is say no, and if you don't apply, then you will never know, and you may miss out on the most fantastic experience of your life. Obviously, it doesn't suit everyone - but then I know people who've dropped out of almost any university you can name, you can't know till you try. Spot the person who does the access open days here!
no, seriously, please try, see what it's like. Better to try it and not like it than not try and spend your life wondering...Please let us know how it goes!
Posted: 22:42 Sep 19 2003 
That's why I very rarely go to Cambridge. I tend to go Peterborough for shopping as its more compact as opposed to be split into 2 distinct halfs. There are lots of bookshops though I'm sure
by charm
It's ok - not that many great shops but enough if you want to have a day shopping.
The last time I went to Cambridge was when I was working weekends over there
Certainly for bands you have the Corn Exchange, The Junction and I suppose The Boatrace
The cinema is in the Grafton Centre which is helpful as other towns have their complexs on the outskirts. Not sure about drinking holes sorry
(Edited by Samphirette 19/09/2003 23:01)
Posted: 22:59 Sep 19 2003 Don't forget The Portland Arms.
by Samphirette
Certainly for bands you have the Corn Exchange, The Junction and I suppose The Boatrace
They're also building a new cinema & bowling alley just out by The Junction. I also think it's got a swimming pool which is being built on the 2nd floor. This doesn't sound right to me so I may have been drunk or dreamt it, lol.
Posted: 09:55 Sep 20 2003
You're appling now??? why?
you shoudln;t start appling from a second year course till about christmasy time, what if a quarter of the way thru you change your mind?
you shoudln;t start appling from a second year course till about christmasy time, what if a quarter of the way thru you change your mind?
Posted: 10:04 Sep 20 2003 i think for these type of things you have to apply early, by october 15thish i think. i know when i was applying for medicine the school had a group for applicants for oxbridge, medics and vets so i assumed all the applications for those things had to be in at the same time. pobably wrong though
by KaTiEStar
you shoudln;t start appling from a second year course till about christmasy time, what if a quarter of the way thru you change your mind?
Posted: 10:10 Sep 20 2003 This is indeed true - Ox anc Cambs Ucas thingies have to be in on or before Oct 15th, so thinking about it now is *definitely* a good thing!
by lil miss
i think for these type of things you have to apply early, by october 15thish i think.
If you haven't been there already, go not only to www.cam.ac.uk (the official site, for course information)
But also to
www.cusu.cam.ac.uk
Which is the student's union site, and will have more "unofficial" information than the main webby
Posted: 10:59 Sep 20 2003 
But the question on everyones lips is.....
Do they have a decent footie team? I don't think so. Kinda makes the whole move pointless
Nah, seriously, sorry I can't offer any info, but I hope you get it sorted
Do they have a decent footie team? I don't think so. Kinda makes the whole move pointless
Nah, seriously, sorry I can't offer any info, but I hope you get it sorted
Posted: 13:02 Sep 20 2003 I've decided to apply for Social and Political Sciences. Just trying to have a decent go at my personal statement... rargh it doesn't get much more boring! (unless its a Sociology rationale
by Demona
What course are you thinking of applying for?
) Although I know how important it is *sigh*What is the interview process like? Did you just go for the day or was there more to it? Do they make extra curricular activities compulsory? (they are at my college and not at others... wondered if it was a similar variation with univeristies)
Any hints and tips very welcome!
Posted: 13:48 Sep 20 2003
by Emma
(quotes)
I've decided to apply for Social and Political Sciences. Just trying to have a decent go at my personal statement... rargh it doesn't get much more boring! (unless its a Sociology rationale
What is the interview process like? Did you just go for the day or was there more to it? Do they make extra curricular activities compulsory? (they are at my college and not at others... wondered if it was a similar variation with univeristies)
Any hints and tips very welcome!
Well, SPS is notoriously light on workload, but then we're probably being unfair to the poor little dears.
Exactly what you need to do varies between collegs and courses - I had 1 interview, an hour/ hour and a half written exam, and I had to submit 3 essays in advance of interview. The interview and exam were on one day, but started about 9am, so most applicants were given free overnight accomodation and evening meal and breakfast - the evening before is a good oppotunity to talk to existing students if you can.
Extra curicular activities are not compulsary, but many colleges allocate points from such things for room ballots, so it might affect the quality of your room in the 2/3 years, if that bothers you. Activities range from a fairly large selection of sports, to chess and tiddleywinks and croquet teams, college and university wide plays requiring actors, directors, techs etc. Most popular activities occur on a college and univserity level, and the college activities are a good way to get started on a new pasttime, or do something at a less than talented level (particularly the girls' sports teams - guys are usually aghast at the competency of women's cricket, but then most of us were doing it for the first time).
I've just sent Byron an e-mail on interview which I don't have a copy of, but if you ask nicely I'm sure he'll forward it to you.
Posted: 15:27 Sep 20 2003 
So nice to see that you're doing your best to dispell the old impression that many people have that Cambridge is full of people that are above the 'poor little dears'
by Demona
(quotes)
Well, SPS is notoriously light on workload, but then we're probably being unfair to the poor little dears.
Posted: 19:36 Sep 20 2003 [ 1 2 ]