I’ve been thinking of applying to Cambridge lately. The only issue is I’d be really far away from family. I’m legally blind so I can’t really get around anywhere so I’d like to stay on campus and rely on financial aid as I pursue my undergraduates as financially i don’t believe I could keep up. My social security is all i really have. I’m 17 right now going into my junior year, and I generally take on a lot of AP classes. Last year I took 5 and this year I was going to take on 6 until I had a seizure so now I’m just back to 5 again (I’m having a hard time keeping up this semester due to my meds). It should also be noted that even though I had a 4.0 my first semester freshman year I went down to a 2.1 due to emotional struggles… I had a 4.1667 last semester and a 4.0 before that though. So my weighted grades have been decent. I try my best on the AP tests, but score averagely. Haven’t had one above a 3 yet
Now here’s what I feel separates me. I’d be an international blind kid with decent grades applying to acá,bridge that specializes in and loves physics and computer science. I really enjoy writing kernel drivers and messing around with AOSP. I just recently found my love for physics this semester in my AP class. I love how we are only human and can come so close to producing an exact answer. It startles me. As far as in school extra curricular stuff goes… I can’t speak much this year. I was a part of debate a semester ago until my friend left as president and everyone stopped organizing and coming to meetings… but I was thinking of bringing it back, I was a part of DECA last year for a semester as well and loved it, but a class didn’t fit my AP schedule.
So in short… no, I’m not the best student. I think intelligently and ask questions when I don’t understand so,etching unlike a lot of people, and I approach my work with rigor, but the blind part combined with all of the work can be hard so,etc,es. But I love what I do and how I do.
Why Cambridge? Because the campus looks great, and I want a change. I’ve lived in Colorado for a while now and it’s sort of bland. Everyone knows everyone up here and I think I’d really benefit from living in close proximity to everything with my condition and all. I’m sure transportation is a lot better in the UK. I don’t know what to do about my family though. I really don’t. I love them and they are like crutches. I know my mom wouldn’t forgive me if I went out of state. Much less out of the country. But I want to.
So… do you guys think I have a chance next year? I’d like to pursue my PhD in theoretical computer science and maybe teach it one day… or possibly theoretical physics. I can’t seem to decide.
First thing on CC is always: can you afford it? and the answer (based on your post) is ‘probably not’. Cambridge has very little in the way of funding available. There is a disability fund that you can apply to for help with things that are directly linked to your disability. There are a couple of competitive, means-tested partial scholarships that international students are eligible for, the biggest of which is, iirc, ~£16K, out of ~$45K annual cost.
The second thing is that a minimum of 5 APs with scores of 5 is required for admission. For physics two of those would have to be Physics and BC calc, and another science is strongly recommended. You also have to take the NatSci admissions test.
The third thing is to know the course: spend some time on the ‘Natural Science Tripos’ to learn about the course and how it works. It is pretty structured, compared to a US university
Finally, it is hard to overstate how intense Cambridge is. The work load is huge, and because the terms are only 9 weeks long there is not let up. You are also expected to be much more independent than in US colleges. There are services, but it is up to you to find them and avail of them.
To me, that is a lot of tall hurdles for any student, especially one whose interest in the subject is relatively new.
There are a lot of places outside of Colorado that are closer than Cambridge. Consider taking a look at the Colleges That Change Lives.
Cambridge takes the cream of the world. They want minimally. 5 5s in APs in your sphere of interest, they want the very best. Your backstory won't have any traction. Your health issues will be a negative in gaining a visa and health insurance in teh UK.
And this ;
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Why Cambridge? Because the campus looks great, and I want a change<<>>So in short… no, I’m not the best student.<<
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Isn’t going to cut the mustard.
Define your budget. Choose schools where your academics fit and that would give you great opportunities. If you are on SS and have no real budget and are an outstanding student, look to needs met schools.
All I can do is try my best. My AP Physics teacher said they have to bring into consideration my disabilities the other day during examination. He said I had a shot and he was previously an engineer for Lockheed Martin. I do great in Physics and in Calculus and have for years. 5 5s will he easy enough. Calc AB/BC, AP Physics, AP Lang/Lit.
It’d be awful of a college to look down on a disability. Plenty of people are disabled and have had great potential including Stephen Hawking who suffers from ALS and Einstein who was born with a learning disability.
Thanks for your insight though. I guess I dream too big
Hey. Thanks for the heads up. You are probably right though. Such a bummer. I had my hopes set really high and had done 5 hours of research yesterday in preparation. I thought I could excel there and then eventually apply for citizenship. Thanks so much though. I contacted Trinity Hall’s admission about it yesterday as well. I couldn’t even afford the plane ticket
But anyway, thanks for your time. I’ll take it to heart
I’ve decided that I’m going to try for MIT. Fits my passion better and at least they consider what’s human versus a number. Going to try my hardest this year. Thank you both
