I messed up my freshman year and got Bs in a few of my classes. Sophomore year was all As, and I’m going into junior year now. I’m taking AP Physics C (I already took AP Physics 1), AP Calculus AB/BC, APUSH, and AP English III. I’m a good student, I just made a bad decision of what program I wanted to be in originally and it didn’t work out. I want to know if I have any realistic chance of getting into Cambridge. I want to go into Engineering and I plan on making an open-application if I do choose to apply. I also play competitive soccer and my team has gone to national championship tournaments.
Take all the Maths and Physics AP’s you can and make sure you get 5’s, do well on the Engineering Admissions Assessment and you should be called for interview. Cambridge will have no interest in your soccer. If you like to play soccer and are interested in engineering check out Loughborough and Durham, the standard of engineering and soccer is exceedingly high at both…
They also don’t really care about your grades so long as you show that you mastered the relevant material later by 5’s in relevant AP tests.
Cambridge cares a little bit about GPA for US students (they want a ‘high pass’), but a handful of B’s won’t be an issue. You do need 5 scores of 5 on APs.
Also, I suggest you that you not do an open application: research the colleges and apply to one that does NOT require the STEP paper for Engineering. If a college requires it, your offer will be conditional on your score. It is a tough paper, is given on 3 consecutive Saturdays in June, and you don’t get the results until mid-August.You have to do the Engineering Assessment in November anyway. Be sure to check to see if they require a second science A-level- some do.
Is there any American equivalent to the STEP paper?
No, it is particular to Cambridge & they do not accept substitutes. The Engineering Assessment in November is also non-negotiable.