Should I take the risk and gamble?

Applying to College
1

<p>I have already received a conditional offer from Cambridge (UK) but have applied to HYP(S) + MIT as an international student (born in Asia, lives in Scandinavia)</p>

<p>Cambr. requires me to reply at the end of March, but the HYP decisions will announced on March 31st, and by then it will be too late for me to reply to Cambridge. Only MIT has an earlier notification date, but I was wondering what I should do if I get rejected by MIT.</p>

<p>I am far more interested in the American institutions than in Cambridge (due to the broader educational system that most of the US colleges have)
I’ve almost made up my mind to just ignore Cambridge, and if they withdraw the offer by March 31st, then let that be so.</p>

<p>However, I would like your opinion on whether or not I should take that risk. So I guess it depends on my chances of getting into HYP/MIT (I am reluctant to put this in the chances thread, because I am not directly interested in chances, but more about what I should do)</p>

<p>Below are my stats (I am an international; first language is Swedish):</p>

<p>SAT I: 800M, 760CR, 700W
SAT II: 800 in Math II, Physics and Chemistry</p>

<p>No TOEFL needed (for most universities, the SAT CR was enough, for others, I have had the last three 3 years schooling in only English)</p>

<p>Predicted IB grades: 43/35</p>

<p>Other things: Took ten university level courses in mathematics (was never enrolled at university, just took them unofficially) between 2003-2006 (8th grade to 10th grade).
2:nd place in the Swedish national math competition autumn 2007.
Bronze at IMO 2007.
Various school awards for excellent grades.
Sent research papers to Harv. on their request (One was about Finite Element approximations to differential equations and the other about the nature of waves: partial differential equations + fourier analysis applied to a real experiment I did in high school for my IB Extended Essay)</p>

<p>No real work experience, but have had 3 weeks of compulsory work placement as math teacher and industrial researcher.
Went to summer science school at a university (70 hours)</p>

<p>ECs: A lot of badminton, Saturday Chinese classes and Peer tutoring etc.
Some piano and wood crafting (build miniature trebuchets etc) too.
I am in the School Environment Board (falls in the category of leadership EC)
I.e. nothing über, but I have been rather dedicated.</p>

<p>Okay essays (I’m no <em>insert random nobel prize winner in literature here</em>.
Great teacher/councilor recommendations</p>

2

<p>Your stats are very impressive! Nonetheless, even though it may seem like you should get in anywhere, admissions are unpredictable. Simply ignoring Cambridge doesn’t sound like a good idea. It seems like they should understand that you have to wait to make a decision until you hear back from the US places. Cambridge should be used to people applying to top schools both in the UK and US, so perhaps they’d be understanding. You only need a few extra days, anyway. Maybe you should call them and see if they’d allow you to wait until you hear back from the others. If they do,then you’re all set. If they don’t, then at least you know that and will have to make a choice between accepting a fantastic university and waiting to hear back from the American schools.</p>

3

<p>Definitely accept Cambridge as your firm, it is a conditional offer so there is no bonding decision on your part until you actually make the grades.</p>

<p>Seriously, don’t take the risk.</p>

4

<p>Thanks for your advice (both of you).</p>

<p>psychgirl: I will probably do that if MIT rejects me; and if Cambridge says no, perhaps I will continue with yaxley’s suggestion</p>

<p>yaxley: If I am accepted by some US college; is it all right for them that I already accepted Cambridge’s conditional offer? [but is planning to skip the necessary entrance exam for Cambridge] Or would they automatically deny me?</p>

5

<p>My guess would be that there may be others who each year are in your same situation given C’s early offer notification. I wouldn’t be surprised if others accept C only to later reject them, having been accepted at another institution. Regardless, congratulations – I imagine you’ll have a wonderful next 4-5 years.</p>

6

<p><em>whistle</em> that’s pretty cool. I say, Yes.</p>

7

<p>I wouldn’t think they need to know about you accepting the Cambridge offer - unless you tell them it’s not like they’re going to find out. It’s a completely different system. I’ve already made UCAS firm/insurance decisions despite not having heard from my US colleges as yet. It’s not unethical either; you’re accepting the OFFER, not the place.</p>

<p>:) Anyway, good luck with the March 31st decisions!</p>

8

<p>listen the decision is pretty easy. just accept Cambridge as your firm. you dont have to pay anything until you get your results in august. and if you get accepted into MIT then call them and tell them or leave it. It wont make a difference</p>

9

<p>okay, moizuhk. Just to be sure; that is not “illegal” or anything? If not, then I guess that would be my best option! Thanks</p>