CAMBRIDGE INTERVIEW TIPS FROM AN INTERVIEWER | Dr Catherine Sumnall - Admissions Director (2021)

Dr Catherine Sumnall is the Admissions Director at Sidney Sussex College, University of Cambridge. She’s had 5 years of experience in this role and has some great advice and tips for anyone sitting a Cambridge interview soon. There’s really nothing like hearing it directly from the decision makers themselves!
👩🏽‍💻 Ahoy, mates! I’m Sharvani, a second-year undergraduate studying Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge. If you enjoyed this content, please do like this video and SUBSCRIBE to my channel because that really encourages me to make better content for you! Please do also comment down below if you have any questions and any video suggestions you have for me.
Thanks for watching 💛
📷 my instagram: sailingwithsharvani
Questions
0:00 - Introduction
0:57 - Cambridge is my dream university and I did not receive an interview invite. How do I feel better about myself?
03:23 - I have my interview coming up soon and I’m feeling really nervous. Any tips for pre-interview anxiety?
06:19 - What do you wear to an interview?
07:03 - How do I prepare for my interview? How important are work experiences, internships or further reading?
11:49 - How are interviews usually structured? Any differences between science and humanities interviews?
17:18 - Any online interview specific tips? Can’t we simply refer to notes or google things that we do not know?
21:38 - Does it make a difference who your interviewer is? Is it advisable to research the background of my interviewer?
24:39 - I’m so scared about completely blanking out in my interview. What do I do if this happens?
27:38 - What happens if I get things wrong during an interview? Is it okay and what would be the interviewer’s response to it?
31:50 - What are interviewers ultimately trying to assess? What are they looking for in candidates?
34:17 - Different students have different personalities… Does the personality of the student matter in an interview?
36:27 - What’s the difference between being interviewed by the international panel and the Cambridge team?
38:42 - I feel like I’ve messed up my interview and can’t stop thinking about it. Any tips for post-interview anxiety?
42:29 - Final Tips + Words of Encouragement
𝐔𝐬𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐬 & 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬
Contact Dr Catherine Sumnall - [e-mail] (Catherine has been very kind by letting me publicise her email ID and it certainly goes without saying, but please do not abuse this contact privilege and be respectful)
𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽:
Isaac Physics for Natural Sciences - isaacphysics.org
Further mathematics support program - maths.org/step/
Engineering - i-want-to-study-engineering.org
MY CAMBRIDGE INTERVIEW 2020 - kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3W8aISoZ9Cjirs
Cambridge Interview Q&As - kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZbdgZh8ha-SoJI
Preparing for your Online Interview - kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6iWq3Z3j9Bnmq8
What to expect at your online interview - kzbin.info/www/bejne/naC3dWOVhZKpeZo
Cambridge Interview Myths - kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZqoeXmOiJKJoZY
Subject-Specific Interview Exemplars (from Sidney Sussex College) - kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6LYaJp8nLyngcU
My Cambridge Admissions and Applications Tips - kzbin.info/aero/PLo-h3ZHnwuKCOU956GHdxpXhTXE213Mmp
International Interviews - www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/international-students/international-interviews
Ask me any Cambridge-related questions - api.unibuddy.co/og/university-of-cambridge/buddies/students/60881cfd0ef99c00e6c32615?buddyPosition=share

[@rubeusignis1293]

You're a very good interviewer! It's not easy to elicit 47 minutes of information from someone while keeping it varied. Very well thought out questions, and very helpful video. Thank you!

[@SailingwithSharvani]

Thank you so much for taking the time out to write such a thoughtful comment - means a lot when things I put a lot of effort into is noticed!! I’m so glad you found this helpful, best of luck!! 🥰💛

[@MindfulStream]

Many thanks to Dr. Catherine, who patiently and enthusiastically answered all questions regarding how to prepare for university interviews.

[@SailingwithSharvani]

Definitely, she’s a star! 🙌🏽

[@bethanpeters6373]

Thanks so much for this video! As an international student who is doing the application process completely alone, I rely on these sorts of things to help me! Great structure too and Dr Catherine is so lovely :)

[@SailingwithSharvani]

I completely understand where you’re coming from - I’m so glad you found this helpful! She really is so lovely, I’m so grateful she agreed to join us on this channel 🥰 Best of luck! 💜💜

[@FlorenceTushemerirwe]

I appreciate the Interview TIPS, Dr. Catherine, May God richly bless you.

[@fengyiliu1123]

OMG so much insightful advice!!! Defo love the content!

[@SailingwithSharvani]

only you saw the behind the scenes struggles of trying to arrange this 😭😭😭😘😘😘

[@cephalopod7300]

This is all really helpful advice for anyone applying to an undergrad course at Cambridge or Oxford, and matches my own experience of the process. When you described your interview Sharvani I could really see why you got in. The interview is a rare opportunity to have a focused conversation with an expert about the subject you're interested in. Make the most of that and come across as a good learner they'd find rewarding to teach and they're going to invite you back for more such conversations. Thank you Dr Catherine and Dr* Sharvani for making time for this Q&A in your busy schedules. Even though I'm not likely to be involved in another Oxbridge interview any time soon I have just watched the whole thing for some reason 😅 *Dr = Diligent reporter 👩‍💻

[@SailingwithSharvani]

Your comments always make my day, thank you Ceph Al O’Pod! It’s our pleasure to bring to such content to you all and I’m so glad you think it will be beneficial for applicants - thanks a ton for watching!!! 💛🥰 (also, the only Dr title I need! 🥺😍)

[@lilyroett4481]

this is so helpful! looking forward to my interview now :)

[@SailingwithSharvani]

I’m SO glad - best of luck! 😘

[@bhavya6382]

Thank you so much for this video! Dr Catherine really breaks down each and every aspect of the complicated application process. I used to always fear the very aspect of sitting for an interview but after watching the video I am kind of excited! The video answered my questions and even acquainted me with things I never even thought of before. I’m motivated more than ever now to apply! Thanks a lot again! Looking forward to more. Loads of love ❤️❤️💖💖

[@SailingwithSharvani]

I’m so happy that you’re excited and motivated to apply - the more content there is about the applications process, the less intimidating it hopefully is 🥰 Best of luck! 💗💗💗

[@bhavya6382]

@@SailingwithSharvani Yess you’re absolutely right! Especially if an experienced person like Dr Catherine breaks it down for us, it definitely seems less intimidating. Thank you so much!

[@pratyushadventures5676]

Crazy content going on here!!!🙌👏

[@SailingwithSharvani]

Thank you for your support always, Pratyush!! 😭😘

[@kate_p2338]

Very helpful interview!!!! Thank you so much!!! :)

[@SailingwithSharvani]

You’re very welcome - thanks for watching and best of luck! ☺️

[@anniezz7717]

Thank you so much for this!! I have my interview next Saturday

[@SailingwithSharvani]

You’re most welcome - best of luck! 😊

[@lilaclai6560]

Thank you so much. Even though I am not applying for Cambridge, it's such a great joy to watch this video and feel the personal touch and care from Dr Catherine.

[@SailingwithSharvani]

I’m so glad you felt that way 🥰

[@hrithikasarvodayan]

This is such a detailed and informative video. Thankyou so much Sharvani. I had seen Dr.Catherine's interview videos on the Sidney Sussex college channel , earlier. I think i saw her in the interview video on the Cambridge channel as well. Just listening to her talk , calms me down 😅. Once again, thankyou to Sharvani and Dr.Catherine. This whole application process seems soo complex, but when its broken down like this, its less intimidating. It gives me hope❤.

[@SailingwithSharvani]

Aww I’m SO glad you are comforted by this video and I completely agree - Catherine’s expertise and empathy genuinely is so calming and comforting 🥰 best of luck! 💛

[@nandinishiva9055]

Very useful video for those you are going to apply for any university for that matter 👌🏼👌🏼👏👏 I liked the Q where Dr Catherine answers how to reduce anxiety before interview, her advice can be used for all anxious situations!!another Answers of hers I really liked is , don’t think getting into Cambridge is the end of life !! Incase u don’t , don’t feel disappointed , Truly profound advice And truly appreciate your (Sharvani )effort to take up this topic of discussion with an expert!! Liked the ‘Dr ‘title you got 😄

[@SailingwithSharvani]

😋😘

[@Ella-cz4yl]

This is so so helpful. Thank you so much! I’ve got my interview for MML in 4 days! 😅😬

[@SailingwithSharvani]

I'm so glad!! That's awesome, you're gonna SMASH it 🤩 Remember to enjoy the process, best of luck 🥰💛

[@Ella-cz4yl]

@@SailingwithSharvani thank you!!

[@idontevergiveup8367]

Goodluck my friend you are smart and beautiful I hope to be here I think I can't study University Cambridge I feel really sad but Alhmdolelah

[@SailingwithSharvani]

I’m so sorry to hear that, but I’m sure you will succeed no matter which university you go to - trust me ❤️

[@erangaanuradhi2404]

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[@naailkhan883]

thank you so much for this!! just got an invite from girton for natural sciences (woooo) and needed this badly

[@SailingwithSharvani]

Omg Girton and Natsci!! Good luck, you’ve got this!! 💚❤️💚❤️