Selection CriteriaWhat do we look for in an applicant?At Clare, candidates matter to us above all as individuals, and in assessing them we look carefully at every aspect of their academic and educational experience. We want simply to attract candidates with the best potential in their subject, as measured by their academic record, their school or college references, their performance at interview, and in the written work that we look at as a part of the interview process. The single most important thing we are looking for is academic potential. Successful candidates will be amongst the most able students in their school or college in the subjects most closely related to the University course. Most applicants have at least 4 or 5 grade As at GCSE, and many have done considerably better than that. They are normally predicted AAA in their A2 level subjects (or equivalent) appropriate for their chosen course, unless they are applying through the Cambridge Special Access Scheme. They show intellectual flexibility, analytic ability, clarity of thought and the ability to argue logically. They are not afraid of complex and challenging new ideas. Successful candidates will also have a strongly demonstrated commitment to their chosen course. This might be shown by, for example, an exploration of the subject beyond the bounds of the school or college curriculum through wider reading, or by appropriate work experience or non-school/college activities. Successful candidates will be self-motivated, self-disciplined and academically committed. This can be shown by good time management in the balance of their various academic and personal commitments. We shall be looking for these achievements and attributes in all candidates through their academic record (including GCSE and AS or equivalent), school/college reference, personal statement, written work submitted or written tests and performance at interview. |
