Because it’s the most basic popular science book that you can read. It’s like saying you want to study economics because you read rich dad poor dad

No worries, I was told lots of things by my school that were wrong/ outdated because they just didn’t know so hopefully this clears things up and provides some inspiration/ examples of actual things you can do.

Doing 3 years of NatSci specialising in physics here at Cambridge is equivalent to a BA physics degree. You can stay for 4 years and get a masters too but this is an integrated masters which because it’s just a continuation of your degree, same dept, same ppl etc you are essentially considered an undergraduate. However, if you were to leave and do your physics masters somewhere else you would be a post grad. Alternatively if you did your undergrad degree somewhere else and came to Cambridge to do a physics masters (ie just 4th yr physics/ part iii as we call it) despite you being in the same classes/ cohort as the people who have been here for 3years already (who are still considered undergrads), you would be considered a postgrad. For Cambridge physics 3 years = bachelor’s degree 4 years = masters degree (you will also get a bachelors)

Yeah, no FM would be a huge disadvantage... Try doing AS

Personally my DoS says he only considers people with further maths. However, I know people at other colleges who got in without it. That being said the physical sciences are very maths based especially physics so I’d very strongly recommend you take it. I’d do it to A2 as well. For reference my A levels were maths, FM, physics and chemistry all to A2. I got 4 As at AS (A* not available) and 4 A*s at A2. I feel had I not done one of these (ie only done 3) I’d be disadvantaged now that I’m at Cam as there is a sort of expectation that you’ve done them as most people have. Given I’m doing physics if I absolutely had to drop one of my A levels then I’d drop chemistry as it’s been the least useful but I’d really try to do all 4 if you’re serious about Phys NatSci at cam.

@@sciencewithsoph3620 So, I heard it's better to do 4 STEM A-levels because that would enable people to pick more options? and FM would be very helpful with the maths part of natsci?

@@kenzahcarstairs5417 Yeah 4 STEM is probably best. You can do bio options without A level bio so the most facilitating choice is going to be what I did

I sent a CV and cover letter. It was part of a scheme they advertised.

My personal statement was all physics with a tiny bit of maths. At interview I had 2 physics questions, 1 chemistry and 1 materials (no prior knowledge was expected of materials tho). Most colleges ask a bit of maths, a bit of physics and a bit of chemistry. If you havent done chem A level they'll just ask you more maths or physics instead.

I think that is for some questions, which is why I am also struggling hard because of lack there of...

Hi, I really don’t know a lot about foundation years. I know they’re starting to introduce them but you’d have to check the uni website for more info

It’s incredibly unlikely you’d be asked to prove anything besides GCSEs, A levels, EPQ (ie exams/ qualifications received at school). I did loads of super curriculars that were never mentioned on my PS, reference, UCAS or at interview but I loved doing it so whilst annoying I don’t regret it. Your opportunities to show off super curriculars: personal statement, SAQ (Cambridge only), teacher reference, there’s a section on ucas where you can put up to 2 summer schools (I think). In theory you may be able to talk about others at interview but it’s unlikely as they tend to focus on asking academic questions and if they do ask anything else it will probably be something from your personal statement.

@@sciencewithsoph3620 Thank you so much for your detailed answers. I now have a clearer idea about the application process. Will you be making a video on your personal statement?

No, the summer school at Selwyn was at the same time and I did the Selwyn one which was great and having spoken to people who did the Isaac one I think the Selwyn one suited me better

I’d recommend an EPQ. I didn’t do a crest nor do I know a lot about them so I can’t really comment. I suppose anything you do is good although quality > quantity

I mentioned that I’d been doing Isaac for years but didn’t specify an award (I suppose I could of tho)

7 A*s and 3 9s

My guess would be August/ September although you can join at any point so it doesn’t matter massively

Hi, I know people here with maths, further maths and physics so you definitely can with your A levels. The computer science module was removed last year. Usually people with your A level combo will take maths, physics, materials and Earth. The requirements for each module are on the Cambridge website. By 2nd yr you’ll probably just be taking maths and physics but there’s no CS option

@@sciencewithsoph3620 Thank you so much for the information. I'm still struggling with what to choose between natural sciences and computer science at Cambridge. I'll probably go with computer science as I'm already kinda preparing for it :)

Hi, I’m assuming you mean the Isaac physics mentoring scheme in which case yes you can join at anytime

@@sciencewithsoph3620 ok thankyou! I've finished the first few weeks and it's also helping me with further maths as well.

80hrs a week! I definitely couldn’t do that much. I’m surprised you’ve done so much physics. We haven’t done anything physics related in chemistry yet. It’s definitely interesting to compare ox and cam so please keep me updated :)

I remember the feeling! They moved the date back last year so I ended up getting my offer on my 18th birthday... definitely won’t forget that! I know my DoS is v busy rn making sure he’s picked the right people/ getting ready to send offers etc. Good luck :)

@@sciencewithsoph3620 Hoping for the best, thank you :)

Usually my shoulder or jacket would cover it. If not I’d grab an umbrella

Thanks. I visited Imperial but I just didn’t like it so I didn’t apply. However, I know people who love it but it just wasn’t for me

Oh that is understandable :) thanks for the reply, hope your doing good at Cambridge <3

You can definitely apply without A level chemistry I know at least 2 people in my year at my college doing phys NatSci without A level chem. Most people would then take earth as their last option but you could also take either physiology of organisms or evolution and behaviour (this is something your dos would discuss with you before you start).

You don’t have to cycle. I did bring a bike which I’ll typically use if I’m going to west Cam, want to be quick or am doing a supermarket shop. Otherwise I’ll walk and admire all the pretty scenery. Initially social distancing was ok (with the rule of 6) just 2m + masks. Most people were being quite sensible too and numbers of cases stayed low. Now it’s really hard especially if you want to see a friend in a different household as it has to be 1:1, outside (it’s too cold!), 2m and masked. I think it’d be much easier if we could meet 1 person inside but at least for now that’s not allowed. I’m so glad that we did get a few weeks with the rule of 6 + restaurants otherwise it’d be pretty miserable. Hopefully we’ll be back to rule of 6 or better for next term 🤞

I’m so glad you found it helpful!!! Almost all my videos are typed as it saves me from camera shyness and improves accessibility. I suppose you could also screenshot them as reminder notes of what I covered. Best of luck with your application

thats a good idea -thank you!

I actually didn’t talk about it much on my PS mostly because I had lots of other things to talk about which for STEM I felt worked better. Having said that it could be great in a humanities PS as you can really develop it.

@@sciencewithsoph3620 exactly i lumber to to some academic lectures and wider readings that I had done and The sutton trust + some work experience and it all worked really well together x

Initially I was also 1 of 2 and then a few friends decided to do it too. I did AQA tbh generally the spec is the only resource you need. After that you want to be looking at academic papers. If you google the topic there should be a Wikipedia page on it, if you scroll to the references that’s a good place to start reading.

@@sciencewithsoph3620 Ooooo kk. I will, thank you!

Hi, for privacy reasons I’ve decided not to publicly disclose my college. I hope you can understand

@@sciencewithsoph3620 ahh okay no worries thats understandable

@@sciencewithsoph3620 could i ask a question about your interview experience?

Did you do a as in it

@@lukehogan1799 Nah. It was Pre-U but I still didn't take any official exam

Just write about what you like about the Cambridge course specifically. I.e why bio NatSci at cam and not biology at Oxford or somewhere else

@@sciencewithsoph3620 Thanks! However, I have applied for natsci at other unis, so I've mentioned that in my PS. Should I say how this is different from other unis with natsci or just from a straight bio degree? Tbh I'm not too sure how Cambridge is better in terms of natsci apart from the depth it goes into.