A Comprehensive Guide to Expecting Your Cambridge Interview

Preparing for a Cambridge interview can be a unique experience, as the format and focus can vary by subject. This guide will cover key aspects you should expect and provide you with tips to ensure you are well-prepared for your interview. Let's dive into the details.

Subject-Specific Questions and Depth of Knowledge

During your Cambridge interview, you will likely face questions that delve deeply into your chosen subject. To perform well, it's crucial to have a thorough understanding of key concepts, theories, and current developments in your field. For example, if you are interviewing for Biological Natural Sciences, you might be asked to discuss the intricacies of cellular biology, evolutionary theory, or genetic inheritance patterns.

Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking

The interview format is often discussion-based, and you may be presented with a problem or scenario relevant to your field. This allows the interviewer to assess your problem-solving skills and your ability to apply your knowledge creatively. For instance, you might be asked to discuss how gene editing could be used to address agricultural challenges or how climate change might impact ecological systems.

Personal Statement Review and Reflective Discussion

Interviewers will likely ask about your personal statement, including your motivations for studying your subject and any relevant experiences. Be prepared to reflect on your work or projects in detail, explaining what you learned and how it relates to your academic interests. For instance, if you have conducted a project on natural selection in a specific ecosystem, you might discuss the challenges you faced and what you discovered.

General Tips for Successful Interviews

Be Yourself: The interview is as much about assessing your potential to learn as it is about what you already know. Be genuine in your responses. Ask Questions: If you don’t understand something, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification. This shows your willingness to engage and learn. Practice: Conduct mock interviews with friends or teachers to build confidence and improve your ability to articulate your thoughts.

Flexibility is key; depending on the subject and interview style, you may be interviewed in a one-on-one or panel format. Typical duration ranges from 20 to 40 minutes.

Personal Experience: A Cambridge Interview Tale

It was a bitterly cold December morning as I made my way from Kings Cross London up to Cambridge. I hopped in a taxi and arrived at Gonville and Keys College, where I was due to have two interviews for a place to read Biological Natural Sciences. The night before the interview, I had come down with the flu, but there was no way to reschedule the interview. I was determined to make the most of the opportunity.

As I entered the college, I was directed to the Junior Common Room in Gonville Court, a wood-paneled room dating back to the 16th century. The room was bustling with potential Cambridge students. I sat on a sofa, waiting, and looked around the room at my fellow applicants. Right next to me were two English applicants who bonded over the fact that they both went to State School. One of them had a clear chip on her shoulder, but we never saw each other again.

Across the room were Economics and Law applicants, all dressed in conservative attire. One chap was reading the Financial Times, discussing the state of the economy, and another girl was very pretty. We never saw each other again, either.

About half the applicants opted for suits or their equivalents, while I was wearing grey jeans, sneakers, and a black sweater over a white polo shirt. My first interview was up, and I walked to Tree Court. I made the slow climb up the staircase to the door. The previous applicant walked out and said a polite good morning before leaving. I never saw him again.

During the interview, I was shown an electron microscope image of a cell and was asked to describe what was in it. I saw mitochondria, the Golgi apparatus, and some other components. I think I performed well, and then the interviewer asked me what aspect of biology I found most interesting. With enthusiasm, I responded. He probed deeper, asking me about genetics. I explained that genetics is a broad field, but I had no clear idea at that time. He seemed satisfied with the answer and moved on.

I retreated to the common room to wait for my next interview. My second interview was with the admissions tutor and was less technical, more general. She asked me about the ecological factors influencing plant growth. I responded with a combination of temperature, sunlight, soil nutrients, and moisture in the air, but she asked for more ideas. I guessed something ridiculous that made her laugh, but I can't remember what it was.

The final interview was over by 4 o'clock, and it was dark as I made my way back to London. Three weeks later, still at the breakfast table, my mum read out the letter from London. It was an incredible feeling to be offered a place to read Natural Sciences Biological at Gonville and Keys College. It felt like following in the footsteps of Stephen Hawking, William Harvey, RA Fisher, Francis Crick, and John Venn.

Conclusion

Approach your Cambridge interview as an opportunity to engage intellectually rather than just a test of knowledge. Show your passion for the subject and your eagerness to learn. Good luck!