Introduction for new applicants (2011/2012 entry)

If you are reading this blog then you have applied to Peterhouse or been allocated to us through the open application scheme for 2011/2012. This blog is to help answer your questions and keep you updated with what's going on so welcome aboard!

We know it's pretty stressful applying to University (in fact, I was only in your shoes a few years ago!) so please use this blog as a way to put your mind at ease. We want this process to be as transparent as possible. Comments won't automatically appear, mostly because we want to avoid people posting who are applying to other Colleges (we all have slightly different systems so this wouldn't be productive) but we'll take note of every comment and will try and make sure posts reflect what people are asking.

So, let me introduce myself: my name is Rosie Woodbury and I have been working in Peterhouse Admissions Office since Sept 2008 as Admissions Coordinator. I was a student at Homerton College studying Education with Maths so I know what it's like to be on both sides of the Cambridge application process. You may also hear from Kathy Purdy who works as Admissions Assistant and was also a student at Homerton College studying English. Please do not hesitate to contact either of us on admissions@pet.cam.ac.uk if you have any problems or queries.

By the time you read this you should have received a letter telling you what to do next. Included in the pack should be a letter, a subject slip, a data protection form and for some of you an essay cover sheet and/or fee status questionnaire. Please make sure you know what you have to do and when you have to do it by. Here's a summary:

Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic (ASNC) - 3 school essays
Archaeology and Anthropology (Arch and Anth) - a set essay
Architecture - a written project (http://www.pet.cam.ac.uk/prospective-students/architecture)
Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (AMES) - 3 school essays
Classics - 3 school essays
Economics - a set essay
English - 2 school essays
History - 3 school essays
History of Art - 3 school essays
Law - 3 school essays
Linguistics - 2 school essays
Medicine - BMAT
Modern and Medieval Languages (MML) - 4 school essays
Music - 3 school essays
Natural Sciences (Biological) - 3 school essays
Philosophy - 3 school essays
Theology - 3 school essays

If your subject is not in the list then you are not expected to submit any work before interview. Also, if it is not clear which Natural Sciences course you are applying for from your A Level choices then you will receive subject slips for both Physical and Biological; please ignore the one that it is not relevant to you. Please remember that every applicant needs to complete the SAQ by 22nd October and the deadline for all forms and essays is 8th November.

So that's it for now. While you guys get all your documentation/essays together, I'll be getting out letters as soon as I receive applications up to the 15th Oct deadline and trying to plan the interview schedule.

Good luck to you all!

Rosie