#offer holders

[askacambridgestudent]

Things to do the summer before attending Cambridge (as a fresher) ... any preparations etc.

Make a packing list. We have a sample one HERE that you can use as a guide, but it’s really important to kind of get an idea of what you need to buy for university, and what you already have.

Read as much as you can from your reading list. Your college will send you a reading list (well, some subjects/colleges may not) and you should try your best to read as much as you can (but don’t stress if you can’t get through it all -- there are loads of people who start without having touched their reading list).

Spend time with your family and home friends and RELAX! This is one of the few holidays you’ll have from now on to just totally chill for a couple of months. Enjoy it!

[askacambridgestudent]

I really don't know how I got an offer. My grades weren't ideal, I bombed the admissions test (answered like half the paper) and others said it wasnt that hard. My interviewers seemed like they couldnt be bothered to ask any hard questions in the interivew (i did really enjoy them though!) and I have got in to a tier 1 college on an extremely competitive course (engineering). I feel like they made a mistake :/ I am scared to go the offer holder day in case they are like U ACC GOT REJECTED

Truuuust me anon, they didn’t make a mistake! They knew what they were doing. With the admissions test, it could well be that others didn’t think it was so hard because they weren’t thinking about the questions/problems deeply enough… and in the interview, it’s not necessarily about coping with mean questions, but being able to have a productive discussion! Different interviewers have different styles: they may have come across the same way to everyone even if you feel like you must have been the odd one out. You have done amazingly well: you don’t need to question or undermine yourself about it! Here’s hoping you have an amazing time!

[askacambridgestudent]

Fitz offer holder - should we have had contact regarding accommodation at this point in the year? Lowkey stressed lol

I would have thought that you’ll just hear once results day has passed - as far I as know, at Fitz fresher’s get allocated rooms fairly randomly, so the month and a half after results day will be plenty of time for the college to organise it all. I wouldn’t stress about it at all.

[askacambridgestudent]

RE offer holder days: I've been invited to one at Fitz!

Ah that’s good to know! And congratulations of your offer 🎉

[askacambridgestudent]

Okay I'm a little confused... Does Cambridge give offer holder days/applicant days?

As far as I’m aware, only a few colleges have offer holder days (e.g.: Medwards) - it’s not really a widespread thing throughout the university.

[askacambridgestudent]

hey, thank you for your lovely reply about the medwards sleepover, but we are in fact sleeping on the floor of a current student's room with them - we have to bring sleeping bags! x

Hi - sorry for the confusion regarding the offerholder’s stay! I completely understand that this is quite daunting, but the offerholder’s stay is a great opportunity to find out what the college is like, and to get to know people. As for privacy - all of the first year accommodation in Medwards is ensuite, so you will have privacy in terms of getting ready etc. You will also have the afternoon and evening to get to know the person you are staying with a little bit and you will be able to contact them on Facebook before you go, so I’m sure it won’t be too awkward! The students will also completely understand if you want some time to yourself to just relax. Hope this helps 😊

[askacambridgestudent]

hey ! so im a medwards offer holder and i'm going to their 'sleepover' but im TERRIFIED tbh - sleeping in the room of someone i don't know? changing in front of them etc? how is no one else stressed about the fact its a literal stranger lol surely it's so awkward

Don’t be nervous, I’m sure it’ll be great experience. Now I don’t know for sure about Medwards, but I’m pretty certain that for safe-guarding reasons you wouldn’t actually be sharing a room with a current student - the way it works at my college for similar schemes is that someone donates their room to you and then goes and sleeps on the floor of a friend, so you’ll be in a room by yourself. The part about sleeping in someone else’s room - yeah I guess that could feel a bit odd, but just view it as seeing what a typical student room is like - after all it’s a similar experience to staying at a friend’s house or the situation you might be in on a languages exchange trip. I’m sure you’ll have a lovely time though, Medwards is a lovely place to be!

[askacambridgestudent]

Hey!!! International results just got in, and I exceeded my offer!!!! I'm ready to start getting excited about Cam!!! What can I do now?? Do you have any suggestions as regards articles/blogs/webpages/events/etc? Thanks!!!

AHHHHH CONGRATULATIONS WELL DONE WE’RE SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!!! 

So there are a bunch of Cambridge youtubers, many of whom have been recommended to us HERE - they’ll give you a good idea of what student life is like. You can start reading the major Cambridge newspapers - the Tab, Varsity and The Cambridge Student - if you’re keen. Cambridge holds Welcome to Cambridge events in different places around the globe - if there’s one near you, attend! It’s a good chance to meet other people coming to Cambridge from your country and to meet alumni! Do any helpful experts have any other recommendations?