At a time when Oxbridge applications are again under scrutiny from both the press and the Government, it is worth remembering the care that is taken over each applicant to determine the best outcome. The interview remains crucial to the process and devising a timetable that enables so many [nearly 700 last year] to be interviewed in such a short space of time (in effect 10 days in the last round) requires considerable skill. In addition, a number of subjects now use written tests in some form, taken either in school or in Cambridge, and this also creates additional burdens for interviewers and administrative staff alike.
It remains to be seen what inpact such issues as the new funding regime, new exam systems and a move towards post A2 application will have on the admissions system. We remain committed to admitting the best students, regardless of background, gender, race, religion or school-type. Much of the media criticism of the Cambridge admission system is profoundly misguided. We have had a mechanism in place to enable us to make different offers to those whose education has been disadvantaged in some way for the last 10 years. Cambridge colleges already have links with LEAs and seek actively to promote good state school applicants to apply to us.
I misunderstood one sentence on first reading; it would read more clearly thus:
We have for the last 10 years had a mechanism in place to enable us to make different offers to those whose education has been disadvantaged in some way.In view of these admirable practices it amuses me to think back to two letters from Queens' College, one received by my father about me, which read:
There will always be a place at Queens' for the son of an old Queens' man
and the other received by me about my daughter (I forget the exact words):
Ceteris paribus we would give preference to a candidate with family connections to the College.
Tempora mutantur!
