12 Questions, 12 answers
General questions
Q: Why St. John's?
Each college has its merits, there isn't a best college, only a college that suits you best. If you like to be in a big college that is infused with tradition and history (think Harry Potter-esque), then you should definitely think about John's. On the other hand, as an established college, John's has a respectable endowment, which translates into its offering of more scholarships, studentships, and bursaries than all other colleges. However, if you are a fan of a tight-knit community, where you can personally know everyone, then John's might not be for you.
Q: I was on Student Room, and people were saying that you'd rather be at Oxford than at John's. Why so?
Rivalry with oxford is often more ironic and fun than it first appears. We all have friends at oxford who we of course adore and love. John's is compared to oxford in the same joking fashion as we had the stereotype of being posh. But through the effort of the recent masters, John's is now proudly one of the most diverse colleges in Cambridge with students from different backgrounds. Each college has stereotypes that are centuries old, while they might have been relevant in the past, they are more likely than not to be misleading in the modern context.
Q: I am an international student, will I be disadvantaged in the interview process?
Don't worry about it, you won't be disadvantaged. The society is proud of the fact that our members are from all corners of the world. From Scandinavia to the States, from Hong Kong to the sub-continent, international students are well-represented, welcomed and loved in John's. If you cannot come to the college for an interview due to costs or visa concerns, the college will always be glad to organise an online interview to suit you. Most importantly, the college is not looking for perfection in English skills, but rather for confidence and the ability to think on the spot.
Q: My family is not that well-off, should I still apply to Cambridge?
The availability of student loans in this country means that University won't cost you immediately. Also, St. John's is an excellent place to gain access to scholarships and bursary schemes. For instance, the St. John's Studentship, Davies Jackson Scholarship, Nathoo Bursary and Dirac Prize are granted on a per-admissions basis. For international students, the college also offers the Singapore Academic Award, and the Hong Kong Scholarship for eligible applicants. More information can be found on the college website at https://www.joh.cam.ac.uk/finance-and-support.
The courses
Q: What is HSPS?
HSPS is a tripos offered at the University of Cambridge. Students will be given the opportunity to study Politics, International Relations, Sociology, and Social Anthropology. Optional papers such as Psychology, Archaeology, and Biological Anthropology are also available.
Q: I am not interested in some of the papers, do I have to take all four papers?
In the first year of the HSPS course, you will have to take a minimum of three papers out of the four core papers. The fourth paper can either me chosen from the core course, or from the aforementioned optional papers. In the second and third years, students can specialise in a field, or proceed with a joint-track option, where two fields can be studied simultaneously. As a side note, while not included in the first year papers, Criminology is available during the second and third years as a joint-track option with sociology. For more information, please refer to the University's website at https://www.hsps.cam.ac.uk/
Q: What is History and Modern Languages?
Unlike most Cambridge courses, this degree is four years long. Designed to provide cultural and historical insights into different societies around the world, the course offers papers on language, film, culture, history, and history of political thought. The crown-jewel of the course is its third year, where students either study or work abroad for a full linguistic and cultural immersion experience. Languages options are German, Italian, Russian, Spanish, Portuguese, and French.
Q: What is History and Politics?
Colloquially known as HisPol, this course is tailored for students who have a strong interest in both history and politics. Sharing the same politics paper with HSPS students, HisPol students will also have the opportunity of gaining a deeper understanding on historical research through papers such as Evidence and Argument. Students can also choose from a wide array of history papers, ranging from 15th Century British history, to the history of North American states and politics.
the application process
Q: How to write a good personal statement?
A good personal statement should be academically focused. Of course we are not saying that your extra-curricular activities are neglectable (we would recommend spending a fifth of your personal statement on them), but you should have a key focus on an academic topic. Regardless of whether it is a discussion on the shifting dynamics of global power from a hegemony to a bi-polar equilibrium, or an investigation on the history of neo-liberalism, you will have to demonstrate your depth of understanding in a concise manner. Ostentatious and daedalian locution should also be circumvented, as it will be overtly pretentious and peculiar, just like this sentence.
Q: What do I have to do before the interview?
While the official UCAS deadline is in January, you will have to submit your UCAS application before 15th October to be considered for a course in Cambridge. Supplementary forms such as the COPA and the SAQ should also be completed as soon as possible. Written examinations will be conducted prior to the interview (for HSPS and HisPol) or both prior and on the interview day (His-ML). Past papers and sample papers are available on the University's undergraduate admissions portal. In addition to the exams, written work from your Sixth Form/ High School/ College/ Secondary School will also be requested. Last but not least, it is worth noting that not all applicants will be granted an interview. To maximise your chance of receiving an interview offer, try to give your best in all pre-interview tasks. Most importantly , ensure that your predicted grades (or actual grades if you are taking a gap year) exceed that of the minimum requirements/ average offer score published by the University before applying.
Q: How are interviews organised?
At John's interviews are separated into general and subject interviews. The general interview involves, well, general questions. With the purpose of seeing whether you will fit into the college. It is also an opportunity for you to show your interests and personality. The subject specific interviews on the other hand are purely academic. While we are not allowed to disclose details about it, we would strongly recommend you to have an understanding of all the papers in the first year of your course (for example if you are to apply for HSPS, do try to have a basic understanding on politics, sociology, and anthropology). Also, we would recommend you to be ultra-familiar with your personal statement, and to read in greater depth and breath on the topic you have discussed in your personal statement, as it will certainly come up during the interview.
Q: How hard is it to get into John's
It depends. While the acceptance rate hovers at around 20%, the precise number fluctuates every year (as shown through the University's statistics page https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/statistics). So there isn't a point in choosing colleges based on numbers. If you like John's, then go for it. The statistical hurdles should not be a hindrance nor a consideration when applying.
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