Higher Education Advisers from across the country have had the chance to put themselves in the shoes of a Cambridge Admissions tutor as part of a two day residential conference organised recently by the Cambridge Admissions Office.

Around 75 delegates were given information on fictitious prospective applicants, just as admissions tutors receive information on candidates. They were then asked to select ‘successful’ applicants and give the reasons for their choice. The exercise gave the HE Advisers insights into how difficult it often is for admissions tutors to choose between thousands of similar applications.

Barry Crawford from Limavady Grammar School in Northern Ireland said it was a great way of allowing teachers to see how admissions really work:

“The session was completely invaluable; it dispelled the myths and mystery of how student applications are processed.”

Mark Grant from the International School of Geneva agreed:

“It was extremely helpful to see how the process works”.

Delegates were also given advice on identifying students with the potential to apply to Cambridge, and the best methods of supporting them in their application.

The conference included sessions on specific subjects with specialists in those subject areas, mock admissions interviews in both arts and science subjects, and a session which examined current applications and admissions processes in the context of the myth and sometimes inaccurate media coverage that has grown up in recent years.

The HE Advisers Conference was held at Fitzwilliam College and those who attended got the chance to see what living there, or at some of the other Cambridge Colleges might be like, as they were given a walking tour which highlighted some of the University’s other 30 Colleges.

Tayma Cannon, Schools Liaison Officer at Cambridge Admissions Office who was responsible for organising the Conference said:

“The annual HE Advisers Conference is a great way for those who advise students on HE choices to get to know Cambridge better, and to find out a bit more about what we look for in successful applicants. It’s also usually great fun for those who come along, as it gives people a chance to chat and compare notes with other HE advisers informally over dinner, while keeping up to date and informed for their students.”

 

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