Few things I'd add as someone who works (however tangentially) in admissions having gone through the Oxbridge thing myself. First, the elephant in the room is just how much luck is involved in the process if I'm to be completely honest. Tutors at Oxford (not too familiar with Cambs) used to have a points-based system for selecting candidates to make the process as qualitatively sound as possible. But I don't think I even need to say why that system is not infallible. Second, some of those people who you were interviewing with probably did have special tutoring. Some were probably just very bright, and many will have gone above and beyond what was expected of them by their schools and families. Some probably went to super fancy private schools and had wealthy parents who paid for additional lessons. Some of them may have gone to those same schools on scholarship. Some went to really good state schools who get loads of people into Oxbridge, and some went to small private schools who get no-one into Oxbridge. Most importantly, some of those people will have already been rejected once or even twice before and taking a gap year is the making of some people. One of the things I quite like about the Oxford system is that you spend a few days at the college for interviews and I still have good friends from back then - Cambs only gives you one day and they fill it with tests so you don't get to know anyone! Interviewers are very, very good at seeing through polish and training, incidentally. It's why they're such an important part of the system. To prospective applicants: I wouldn't worry too much about any polished, overconfident peers! Thank you for sharing this perspective! I would say to prospective applicants that the Oxford and Cambridge websites are the best source for information about undergrad interviews - elsewhere on the internet is a lot of frightening misinformation that puts very capable applicants off applying.

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your insider perspective! This'll be very helpful for people watching this video

The fact that you even got an interview for anything maths-related at Trinity is very impressive

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, I'm happy with that in hindsight!

Just got rejected by Cambridge today and i feels so lucky that i've found this video, the story and the words really comfort me. I know it will take a long time for me accept this and to find closure but already i feels better. Thank you so much.

@Holstead

5 ай бұрын

Glad to hear it helped, you've got this! 😊 Wishing you all the best

If it makes you feel any better, I didn't get into Cambridge either. That may have had something to do with the fact that I didn't apply to Cambridge but, to make you feel better, don't focus on that part - just focus on the fact that I didn't get in.

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

😅

Great video. Most people never show their losses, bit ridiculous when you think we all fail at things all the time. Your GCSE results were amazing! Had quite a few friends who went to Durham and loved it. I didn't get an offer at my first choice uni (Bristol) was really gutted at the time but really glad it happened now. (Took me a long time to get over it lol)

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! And yeah sounds like you had a similar experience

As a gap year student who got into LSE, Bath and Durham (withdrew Warwick and Leeds after I got into LSE), I can tell you for a fact that rejections drive us forward. I got rejected from King's and UCL the previous year so I know what it feels to have your heart torn. Nonetheless, I never gave in and kept on pushing until I got what I wanted (maybe even more). Wherever you end up going, keep the positivity alive within you.

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

A great message 😊

I had a very similar experience. Balls up my tutor interview at Cambridge for Medicine. Went to Birmingham Uni in the end and had a blast! Now an Interventional Cardiologist so all good :-)

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

Incredible! Big respect

Very good video. Good for you. Now you are stronger!

I think the idea that eventually things will work out for you even if things do not reach that point you were aiming for is important. I applied to the US and UK this year, 20 colleges overall, and got into 10, but my rejects were my top choices. But now, I'm going to a uni I love, and I know if I work hard and balance my activities, I can thrive there. I will say I was lucky with my UCAS application, having gotten 4 acceptances, and 1 pending offer (from LSE). Best of luck to any future students entering the admissions cycle!

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

Nice one! Good to hear that things worked out

@AseemSingru

2 жыл бұрын

@@Holstead Thank you!

Great video man! I was rejected first time round and decided to reapply. Always great to hear more people on Yt talking about real life ups and downs :)

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it, and best of luck

Helpful and reassuring video. I’m planning to apply for compsci and Cambridge, because I know I’ll regret it if I don’t. I haven’t taken further maths for a level but I still want to try.

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

Exactly, you'd always be wondering "what if" if you didn't try 👌

Did maths at liverpool uni. In the interview, i had to draw a graph on a whiteboard then use calculus - integration with limits to solve area under the curve. This was 28 yrs ago! Run my own business now and life is good. You'll get there too 👍🏻👍🏻

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

Haha good to know! What does your business do? 😍

@fawwazahmed8904

2 жыл бұрын

Bruh lucky that’s the most easiest question

@jefftaylor8584

2 жыл бұрын

@@Holstead financial paraplanning - i provide services to advisers (not clients). Its 100% remote from anywhere too. The perfect job, but there was pain along the journey! I have also hit your channel goal too 😉🤑 😉

@jefftaylor8584

2 жыл бұрын

@@fawwazahmed8904 i recall it was a tricky curve i had to draw, it had sin/cos/tan - trigonometric i think is the term. Long time ago!

Thanks for sharing this story Debt2Millionaire. I had a similar situation that I would love to share sometime. I am glad you enjoyed your time at Durham university. I am sure it was a better choice for you, especially since it allowed you to have a social life and not have tests like that Math test everyday LOL.

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

I agree! 😅

I went to both Cambridge and Durham and got my postgraduate degrees from both. You should consider it yourself lucky that you were not admitted to Cambridge. Cambridge makes you feel like you are an idiot until you graduate, whereas Durham treats you as one full of potential for success and helps you to achieve your goal in every way. Go Durham!

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

Go Durham 🎆

@bogdancristea9270

2 жыл бұрын

I fully concur to this. I haven't been to Durham but I've been to Leeds (MA) and Cambridge (PhD) and the difference in treating people is huge. At Leeds I was given all the attention and support that I needed (unfortunately, that was only for 1 year), at Cambridge I was made to feel I was worthless for 4 years continuously. I was also in possibly the most elitist and pretentious faculty there, i.e. Classics (Latin and Greek), where scholars believe they are gods on earth. Most of them (not all, in fairness) are dismissive and rude, they think they are special and you have to earn their attention, they can be incredibly harsh to each other and especially to outsiders. I was lucky with my supervisor, who, albeit very strict and demanding, had a human side to him that helped me to get through. The problem is after 4 years of being treated as if you didn't count, you begin treating other people who have not been to Oxbridge in the same way. Basically, you become an a...hole because you are already well trained in that direction. I am thankful for what I learned there and for the academic rigour they instilled in me and also for the friendships that I formed, but, from a human point of view, I wouldn't recommend the experience unless you're really in for some very tough years.

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

Very useful insight! Thank you

@laurao.o

2 жыл бұрын

I was born in durham. I’m probably gonna get postgrad there but I want to try Cambridge as well.

In 2006 I could hardly tell you what a mortgage was , by 2016 I had achieved CeMAP , advanced CeMAP, DipMAP and a level 4 qualification in financial advice. I also attained the level 7 in teaching financial capability coupled with a professional chartered associateship of the LIBF.

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

Amazing stuff! What do you do now?

@Stevenharknett

2 жыл бұрын

Look me up on linkedin John. BTW I am impressed you have the Amex cards. Well done.

Muchhhhh needed motivation thanks 💞

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

Glad it helped!!

I left school at 16 with no qualifications. I have no degree but have two level 7 post grads and a chartered fellowship in banking and finance. All roads lead to Rome.

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

Nice one! 😍 Love that

great video, really honest and open insights

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it! 😁

All depends on how good you are in the interview your grades and subject you are doing.Your family background also makes up if you get in or not.

I'm in the exact same situation currently, rejected from Cambridge to study CS and will be going to Durham next year.

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

You'll love Durham 😁😁

100% agree that Durham gives a more rounded and balanced experience for high performing people. Althought they keep trying ( or saying they keep rying ) to prevent Oxbridge being an old boys club it very much still is. I am sure you were heartbroken at the time but sometimes things do just work out better.

My niece gained a degree in pure maths and stats from Hertford. She had always wanted to be a teacher and was offered a place at HOMERTON Univ of Cambridge. We all said take it, but because my niece went to a comprehensive she had the limiting belief that she was not worthy. The moral of the story is NEVER PUT YOURSELF DOWN. Believe in your ability. My niece 10 years on was offered the role of HEAD OF MATHS AT A LARGE SIXTH XORM ACADEMY.

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

Your level of belief in yourself definitely shapes your life!

@drzander3378

2 жыл бұрын

There’s much to be said for perseverance. I was told by my school that I had no chance of ever attending Oxford or Cambridge, and I didn’t for my first degree. But eight years later, I completed a doctorate (DPhil) with ease at Oxford. Just because you don’t succeed at first, doesn’t mean you never will.

I’m in the same position this year, I applied to cambridge for natural sciences but I was rejected. I later received offers for imperial and ucl for physics so those are my firm and insurance choices for september. Fingers crossed!

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

They're great universities! Congrats 😁

@Ed-nm9cq

2 жыл бұрын

Imperial only gave offers to about 15% of the applicants for physics this year, so really good going!!

@billylardner

Жыл бұрын

How have you been finding Imperial?

I know you are doing well now but honestly don’t know how you haven’t smashed life already. You have so many great qualities.

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

Haha I appreciate that!

You went to Durham and got a degree. That is quite an achievement. Be proud of that.

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

I am indeed! Definitely proud of that

I can feel you bro...

I remember when I did the CSAT, after the test I just sat there for 10 min staring into the wall thinking WTH was that test

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

😅

Literally just got rejected and, considering that I was in the winter pool even after bombing my interviews, it's left me so frustrated that if I had just been a little less nervous, had more insight into what an interview was actually going to be like (was led to think it was going to be those obscure, make-you-think questions when I wasn't asked a single one), and just didn't run my mouth in panic, I might have had a real shot at an offer.

@Holstead

5 ай бұрын

Try not to focus on the "what if", I'm sure you'll do great wherever you go! 😊

I’m in year 12, didn’t get as good gcse grades as you and would have hoped to get a bit better (I got 7s and 8s). I am studying maths, further maths, computer science and business do you have any tips for applying for CS in top uk unis and what I should do now to get the best chance?

@Holstead

Жыл бұрын

Awesome, yeah, sounds similar to me, the best single piece of advice I'd give is show that you're passionate for the subject outside of school with doing lots of personal programming projects that you do just because they're fun to do

I loved history and I know I had the ability to gain a degree in Egyptology. Sadly I had no role models or belief in myself. C'est la vie. There are other opportunities and gaining a professional qualification is useful. However, formal awards are overrated and guarantee nothing.

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

If you still want to study egyptology just to learn for fun, there's no reason you can't do it in the future!

You can get your degree from another university and if you really want, get into Cambridge for MPhil, MBA or PhD.

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

I did, BSc from Durham University 😊 and then didn't bother with anything after that and went into business

You did your best good job!

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

Cheers 😁

Commenting late, but in the US, I went to a state school which isn't hard to get into, but I graduated with engineering and now make good money in a pretty reputable company. I was a B- math student too. It just looks a lot of hard work in college.

@Holstead

Жыл бұрын

Awesome 😎

@bigguccitaurus1395

Жыл бұрын

can you tell me what kind of GPA you are pushing in college ?

@bigguccitaurus1395

Жыл бұрын

* university

@TheShahart

Жыл бұрын

@@bigguccitaurus1395 I graduated with a 3.2 GPA. The state school maybe wasn't at hard as an Ivy league, but It was ABET accredited so it was still very difficult. I did quite a bit of extracurriculars with FSAE so I had a pretty good head start in terms of getting internships.

Based on what you have said it would seem that Cambridge isn't looking for anyone other than the rare math genius (think Sheldon Cooper from the Big Bang), as this is the case they should do away with any A level requirements and just get people to sit this test - what a waste of time for you glad you ended up in a better place

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

Haha possibly 😅

Many rimes I have sat across a desk being interviewed by a person half my age with less quals and experience all in the name of employment.

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

Haha I can imagine

Trust me, having worked at Cambridge universities, it's not all it's cracked up to be.

Hi I want to apply at Durham. But as it’s a collegiate one, in the degree certificate when I graduate will the name of Durham be mentioned or only the name of college will be mentioned?

@Holstead

Жыл бұрын

Hi 😊 My degree certificate says "University of Durham" at the top with the Durham Shield, and then on the line underneath it says my name and college. Hope that helps!

Where do you live in uk? Great video.

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I live in West Yorkshire

I didn't get into Oxford in January. But I have an offer for King's College London.

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

That's great! Congrats!

Good idea is to go to a less fabulous university and then try to get into your favourite university through a project or cooperation

That's the thing about Oxbridge, you can do everything right and better than the average person who got an offer, but still not get in because the tutors liked 1 specific part of this other persons personal statement, and it matched their field of interest. After you got the grades and the test scores, it's just luck.

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

There's definitely some luck involved

Great.. You Said Maths,Further Maths,Physics A level are auto Choices for Cambridge CS. I am taking these. But I am Not taking A level Computer Science. You sad that it is preferred. I am taking A level Chemistry as a 4th subject.Do you think Chemistry is a Good subjects to take for Cambridge CS?

@DarthWho01

2 жыл бұрын

The 4th A level honestly isn't preferred for the extra knowledge, it's more to show you're more likely to be able to deal with the workload. Chem will be fine. I would suggest you look at the course for Cambridge CS and see if it's really what you want to do though, from what I've heard it's a lot less "hands on" than you might expect

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

You'll be fine with any STEM as a 4th subject. You'd probably be fine with even 3 A levels if you were expecting A*s in 2 of them. A 4th might just give them extra confidence that you can handle a high workload

@matthewmcb1089

2 жыл бұрын

@@DarthWho01 Please elaborate as I am considering applying there this year

@DarthWho01

2 жыл бұрын

@@matthewmcb1089 I'm afraid the only thing I know about the application for is maths but I think they're all fairly similar. Cambridge likes to take as many people to interview as possible so really prep yourself for that as that's where you need to show yourself to be different. The interview isn't looking for how many questions you get right (plenty of people I know answered almost none) but it is looking for how you think. They want to hear your thoughts out loud and don't be afraid to sound silly, any thoughts are good thoughts. After that if you get an offer (it may be to a different college to the one that interviewed you) your only concern is your exams. Idk what other subjects are like but in maths we had STEP which is a relatively hard maths exam but with practice they're alright. Good luck in your application, but I would seriously consider other places. Everyone here seemingly agrees that the teaching (again only for maths) is pretty awful and the exams are unreasonably hard with a needlessly complicated mark scheme. It has a lot of prestige and lots of opportunities but if you're not sure you'll use them all I would advise against applying. Either way, good luck on your applications😊

Didn’t get in for medicine. Don’t worry you’ll be fine. Dr now nonetheless

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

Dr now - amazing! Glad it worked out 😊 this story for me was 6-7 years ago by the way

The big money maker is Creating smart contracts, hell for a simple contract people pay 1500 to 3k$ usd , just a simple staking, withdraw, deposit . Crypto smart contracts

Was this the STEP? Because that exam is nasty if you haven't specifically studied extra more difficult maths beyond even Further Maths. Which you might not have known because you weren't from a school where people would have known and told you and that sucks in our system.

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

It might have been the Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA) I can't remember what the name of the test was but your point stands!

@KatiePrescott

2 жыл бұрын

I don't think it's STEP since STEP is usually taken at the end of year 13 (similar time to your final A level exams, so they're a condition of your offer - not sat before interview). However, it might be the CSAT (Computer Science Admissions Test) which is also meant to be a particularly challenging maths exam. Applicants are usually advised to practice for this test using Maths Olympiad/ MAT/ UKMT questions, it's definitely not the kind of exam you can just turn up and wing it. Unfortunately this does really make the application process more unfair, since some schools won't even tell their students about the importance of preparing for this test, while others will offer intense coaching or parents will pay for private tutors. I did Natural Sciences at Cambridge, which thankfully didn't have an admissions test at the time. Agree that it is a very intense university and tbh I regret not considering taking up a place elsewhere - I also came from a normal state school and at times felt quite out of place in Cambridge. After graduating, I trained as a teacher - I've always emphasised to my students that it is important to pick a university which is right for them, not just base decisions on league tables. I know several friends from Cambridge who dropped out or got much lower grades than they would have got elsewhere, not to mention the number struggling with mental health issues.

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

The mental health aspect of intense studying is an important consideration

@KatiePrescott

2 жыл бұрын

@@Holstead yeah, I took a year out of my degree to escape from all the pressure and genuinely without that break I think Cambridge would have broken me. I did my masters at a different university (Southampton, highly recommend - lovely uni) and had a much more positive experience. It's not just not having time to socialise/ party/ do various hobbies, it's literally not having time to sleep or eat properly.

I'm guessing you did step , that shit is so hard

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

It was indeed!

You haven’t missed much mate. Plenty of other places where you’ll have a better experience

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely!

I bet my left kidney that the any questions thing at the end of the interview was the actual test. If you'd answered something like "could you teach me how to solve them" maybe they would've let u in. Schools like that definitely care about how much of an avid learner u are

@Holstead

Жыл бұрын

It can definitely help but with places like Cambridge and Oxford where the admission standard is so high, you really need to be performing well in the main interview as well

Debt2millionaire, didn't realise you was from Leeds too. where's your accent gone lol. I was gonna go to Leeds trinity but dropped it to be self employed, I educate myself interests.

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

Haha I never really had one 😅 that's great!!

@housecoat7843

2 жыл бұрын

keep up the good work bud

Imperial College London? It is arguably the best for Computing in the uk (in my opinion :D) and It was just rated best number 1 top research on Computing 2021.

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

It may well be right now according to the rankings! They change every year

It's fine man. I got my admission offer but I can't afford Cambridge. (: #lifebeinglife

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

That sucks! But maybe things will work out even better this way

can someone tells me what the song is played at the end of the video?

@Holstead

Жыл бұрын

It's a song from Epidemic Sound, there's a link in the video description 😁

@KananHasanov-bk2op

Жыл бұрын

@@Holstead so you just connected to the epidemicsound, which provides the songs for your videos, the names you don't know? I'm asking because they want me to get register and get free trial, which I don't want to, I just needed the song name. (Sorry for bothering you)

@Holstead

Жыл бұрын

I can't remember the name of it I'm afraid but yeah, they have the names of the songs of the website, I'd recommend getting the free trial, it's worth checking out!

@KananHasanov-bk2op

Жыл бұрын

@@Holstead Ok, I'll do it. By the way, Mery Christmas!

@Holstead

Жыл бұрын

You too and happy new year! 😍

😆

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

😍

Where in Leeds do you live? You don’t sound like it haha

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

I've never had a strong accent 😅

yikes

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

😅

It's not a problem you was just not good enough

what is ur age bro?

@Holstead

Жыл бұрын

Turned 25 recently

@dragonwarrior6314

Жыл бұрын

@@Holstead when did u applied for cambridge

@Holstead

Жыл бұрын

When I was 17 I think, to start at age 18 after A levels in the UK

Don't take it to heart, I know for a fact they don't always pick the most intelligent people. My brother-in-law pays towards their charity, so when is comes to my nephew getting in, he will. Unless he's completely stupid. Another way of doing it is just a massive one off payment, but that would cost maybe cost around £1 million. You can totally pay your way into Cambridge if you have wealthy parents. You do have to have a certain level of intelligence still tho.

@Holstead

2 жыл бұрын

Very interesting! 😮

Unfortunately you probably don't tick the right ethnic or minority boxes.

@abbc3444

2 жыл бұрын

You obviously skipped uni altogether and went straight to UKIP

I did my interview last week for law and it went horribly! I'm convinced I'll be rejected. I also applied to LSE, UCL, and Kings (Durham too but if I do get in I'm not going). I got rejected from LSE pretty early on so... 🤣 I'm quite convinced I won't be going to the UK! 🙈 it was a great experience though, although it was a lot of work. I learnt a lot about myself throughout the application process. I'm glad to hear that you still enjoyed Uni life, because I was extremely set on the UK too. 🥹

@Holstead

7 ай бұрын

You never know! Best of luck with the applications 😊 Fingers crossed! 🤞

@chq2252

7 ай бұрын

@@Holstead that's true! Thank you so much!! I hope you have a great Sunday ☀️