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Traditional yet trendy...

Advantages: good atmosphere, great teaching, nice city
Disadvantages: hard work, Cam life can be stressful!

Trendy? Used to describe Cambridge Uni? What IS she thinking?! Most people probably think of Cambridge as a uni just for snobs, for those who are either amazingly intelligent, or have a family who can afford to pay their way in. They think of Cambridge life revolving completely around work, with the students having no fun at all and spending all of their time in the library. Not the case! I speak from experience here - I'm a second year undergraduate ...
...want to apply to either Cambridge or "the other one" then you'll need an extra form to fill out. This form is basically a mini UCAS form - you will have another personal statement to write, this time all about why you want to go to one of these two universities. The form will cost £10 to send off and process (payable even if you don't get in!) so be warned when making this decision. When applying to Cambridge, you apply to a college rather than ...

emmorticia 10.05.2003 (13.05.2003) · Read full review
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How to get in

Advantages: Greatuniversity
Disadvantages: doesn't suit everyone

...student there. I graduated from Cambridge university in 1997 with a degree in history. Second, I actually got in to Cambridge (Emmanuel University) on my second attempt - something that is commoner than you might think. And third, I have watched my sister go through a very similar pattern at Oxford. And the up shot of all this? Oxbridge is something I feel very strongly about. I'm going to start here by exploding a few myths - the first of which ...
...better off at Edinburgh: the Cambridge course is incredibly academic and focussed on training research doctors rather than practising ones. And the same is true of other subjects. On the other hand, there are some at which Oxbridge excels: Oxford for English, for example, and Cambridge for History. So the first message is: don't get caught up in the idea that they are superior to every other university academically, because it's simply not true. ...

ImogenW 27.12.2000 (06.06.2001) · Read full review
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The Colleges of Cambridge University

Advantages: High scholastic standards. Many are beautiful
Disadvantages: Very competitive

...in history are graduates of Cambridge including Wordsworth, Bertrand Russell, LOrd Keynes, and former Indian prime minister Mr Nehru and nobel laureates such as AK Sen. What follows is a short round-up of some of its well-known colleges and their famous former students. Clare Clare College, is the second oldest college, originally founded in 1326 as University Hall. In 1338 Lady Elizabeth of Clare refounded the college calling it Clare Hall, it ...
...pubs, the Maypole and the Cambridge Arms. Among famous former students here are Charles Wilson, nobel laureate (physics), CecilPowell another nobel prize winner, the chemistry nobel laureate John Walker, Oliver Cromwell and Lord David Owen. The college colours are dark blue and magenta. St, John's St. John’s is the second biggest college in Cambridge. It is richly endowed and is a large landowner. St John’s was founded in 1511 by Lady ...

ashford 20.05.2002 · Read full review
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Work hard, play harder

Advantages: Hard work, hard play
Disadvantages: Hard work

...first thing to know about Cambridge is that it really is a work hard, play hard environment. If this is what you'd like, its a great time, but don't expect much time doing nothing. Cambridge is organised into colleges, where you live, and, for lots of the time socialise. Its important to choose the right college for your outlook, so if you're thinking of applying you should definately visit a few. I'm at Emmanuel, which is great fun, has ducks and ...
...are usually of high quality. Cambridge also has supervisions - lessons in small groups with the fellows. These are scary at first, but really useful in the long run. Cambridge has lots of "pretentious" stuff going on, like formal meals, but it's all taken quite lightly and is really just a lot of fun. e.g. formalised drinking games (if you want to know, apply). The social life centers around the college bars, but there's lots to do apart from drink. ...

jamaggs 01.08.2001 (04.08.2001) · Read full review
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Intense and rewarding experience for everyone

Advantages: great experience, high quality & respected degree, many opportunities, stretching
Disadvantages: hard work, college-level concerns dominate

I graduated from Cambridge just over 18 months ago, after a three-year course. I found it a very intense and rewarding experience, with loads of opportunities, and would recommend the university to anyone who thinks they can manage the workload. Make no mistake, it *is* a hard workload. My own experience is in Natural Sciences and Computer Science, and I worked around 40 hours a week most of the time. The vacations are longer but usually loaded ...
...than the newer, poorer ones. Cambridge itself is not cheap, being so close to London, but hardship funds are available - no-one has ever dropped out of New Hall because of money troubles. Cambridge still seems to have a reputation for only being for 'posh' people, as evidenced by the row over 'elitism' last year. I can only say this - I came from a state school and I had a wonderful time. The friends I made are from all sorts of backgrounds and ...

rachelcoleman 20.01.2001 · Read full review
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Even common Northerners can blend in here

Advantages: Excellent reputation
Disadvantages: Bloody expensive

I am in my 1st year of a 2 year PGCE at Cambridge. I came here having graduated from York University, expecting to be faced with snobbery. I was surprised to find that Cambridge's reputation as a public school dominated university is totally unfounded. Although it is rare for me to hear other northern accents, the students of Cambrige are a friendly bunch all in all. The teaching lives up to the high standards i expected and despite high pressure ...

bry21 05.12.2000 · Read full review
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The Truth about Cambridge Uni

Advantages: friendly people, hundreds of clubs and societies to join, good welfare support system, excellent lecturing and tutoring, unique opportunities, formal hall, good accommodation, great atmosphere
Disadvantages: nightlife is not that great compared to some other UK cities

...applying to cambridge but are worried that your school not does fit the typical bill for applicants, do not let that put you off - you will not be discriminated against. And when you come to cambridge you will find everyone friendly and approachable and lots of things to do. ...

danny_boy 21.07.2001 · Read full review
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Not stuffy

Advantages: Great teaching, great people and lovely setting
Disadvantages: None

...universities in the popular media. Cambridge is a diverse and exciting University which offers anything to those willing to take it. I was there a few years ago now and have never regretted it. There is a brilliant mix of students from all backgrounds. The colleges are all great (though central is better if possible). The teaching is second to none and the one-to-one system of supervisions with tutors makes a vast difference to the learning experience. ...
...(from hockey to hang-gliding), dancing, debating and even - in my day - Tiddlywinks. Cambridge itself is a lovely little town (unlike sprawling Oxford) and it is a pleasure to be there for 3 years. If you think you can make it, go for it. You will never regret it. ...

pxs 26.07.2000 · Read full review
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Its what you make it.

Advantages: Great education
Disadvantages: hard on the pocket.

...huge all-inclusive view of what cambridge is like, its not like reviewing a film where everyone's experience is pretty much the same. Everyone who goes there has different experiences and mine were pretty varied. on the good side, I met loads of brilliant people whom I still keep in contact with ten years on. I had many new experiences and learnt a lot about life. I joined many clubs andgot involved in sport and was even involved in student politics, ...
...this is a side of Cambridge that people don't often talk about. Maybe its because they are so proud to have been a part of the greatest educational establishment in the world, or maybe they just don't want to admit that they found it tough. Again this isn't a horror story but rather just my experience. You have to work very hard... very hard. And its sometimes hard to deal with the fact that you go from being the smartest person in the class to being ...

aodhan5 13.05.2004 · Read full review
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MMMM I LOVE SCHOOL

Advantages: NONE
Disadvantages: NONE

...spent three years studying at Cambridge from 1994 - 1997 and I honestly couldn't even tell you what background my friends had. The majority, I think, were state school educated, but it was never even discussed - that's how little it matters when you're there. Its an amazingly beautiful city and I am so glad I went. This website is an accurate reflection of the university in some respects, especially from a bureaucratic point of view - Cambridge has ...
...that everyone in administration is obsessed by following the rules. But it gives very little flavour of undergraduate life, which is the essence of the experience of studying there. Each college really has its own atmosphere, philosophy and 'type' - I'm not sure why, but it really is that way. My college - Emmanuel - is best known for being friendly and welcoming, and academically quite good. Christs is academically excellent and has quite a strong ...

GT1010 22.02.2001 · Read full review
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Cambridge and Law from a Comprehensive pupil

Advantages: Great reputation, gateway to many of the top legal firms (old school tie still works)
Disadvantages: Less practical than some

...a challenge? Law at Cambridge has always been highly regarded and it lives up to its reputation. I studied law at Sidney Sussex College and thoroughly enjoyed it. There's no denying the work was hard and, if you asked me whether I would go back and do it again I'd reply "Yes, but without the work". There's a real work hard, play hard mentality in Cambridge - just as well the terms are only 8 weeks long! I came from a comprehensive (and only just ...
...How wrong I was. Cambridge is a place where you can really be yourself, guaranteed there is someone else who shares your interests and your outlook on life. There's no denying, there are a fair few from the "privileged classes" but, in all honesty, comp students often fair better as they are used to having to think for themselves and not be spoon fed the whole time. The law course is well structured, if a little dry at times. You might find yourselves ...

CareBear 06.12.2000 · Read full review
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A great place...

Advantages: Reputation, opportunities, collegiate system.
Disadvantages: Too much work, small city may not suit everyone.

I've just finished my second year at Cambridge, and I have to say I've loved my time here so far. The opportunities for getting involved in any number of activities are limitless - so whether its sport, politics, theatre, music, art or whatever that you're into, you'll be sure to find a society to get involved with at Cambridge. However, the workload is VERY high, and there is a lot of pressure to do well. If you want an easy time, go somewhere ...

Scoobydoo 11.07.2000 · Read full review
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I am here and I like it

Advantages: teaching, extra-curicular variety and cash, surrounded by like-minded students
Disadvantages: intense, can be stressful, often overly traditional

I applied to cambridge but actually didn't want to come... but i am actually really pleased i did. I thought it would be dull and stuck-up. However nothing could be further from the truth, because Cambridge is aware that this is what everyone thinks about it, it makes all the more effort to overcome these kind of things. The access and equal opportunities campaigns are really visible and there is an overall political awareness in the university. ...
...but if you are then Cambridge will be an exciting and challenging place for you. There is also a big work-hard/play-hard ethic and so there is loads of opportunity to do great things in your free time. There's a fair amount of usual student fun, club nights, music, drinking, sports etc. But there is also a real opportunity to take on responsibility for organising stuff and getting good experience in fields like theatre and community service. The ...

k1rsty 23.02.2001 · Read full review
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Work hard, play hard.

Advantages: Reputation; short terms; free MA...
Disadvantages: Intense environment; high pressure.

...can be easily avoided. Cambridge is odd; with the many tiny colleges, and societies, it is impossible to categorise generally, but there will be something for everyone, as Beavis and Butthead would say. Sporting types in particular will do very well with a variety of standard and peculiar activities. Hard drinkers will be similarly well catered for. Academically it's excellent, but the supposed benefits of the supervisions aren't obvious at the ...
...there's a lot of it, but everyone gets through. A good supportive atmosphere exists within and between faculties / colleges. All in all, pick your college carefully as there is a huge difference in them in terms of living standards and enjoy it all. Having said that, at the end of your course, you /will/ want to go somewhere else... ...

TomNorth666 08.04.2001 · Read full review
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A great place to be

Advantages: Great people, loads of opportunities, (mostly) excellent teaching
Disadvantages: Some aspects have yet to move into the 20th (let alone the 21st) century

I came to Cambridge two years ago feeling more than a little nervous about what I'd find. Would I get on with the people? Would they all be workaholics and impossible to have fun with? Would I fit in? Fresher's week soon laid my mind at ease, and in the time I've been here I've had some excellent experiences. There are so many different types of people, you can't fail to get on with some of them, and I've met some really good friends. There are ...
...seems), and sometimes you just have to smile and get on with life when your Senior Tutor closes the bar... There's always somewhere else to go though. Cambridge doesn't have the pretentious atmosphere some people seem to think, but neither is it really the same as anywhere else. ...

lss22 25.07.2000 · Read full review
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