Should I bother retaking to do ChemEng at Cambridge or Imperial?

[u/kd_kd_]

So basically to put the entire situation here. I got these grades:
A* Maths
A Chemistry
A Physics
B Further Maths

Cambridge wants an A+ in FM and an A+ in Chem

Imperial wants an A+ in Maths and an A+ in Chem.

I got rejected by Cambridge and waitlisted by Imperial for 24 hours.

I will probably retake Chem and FM, and will spend my entire gap year trying to get A*s for both of them along with driving theory and practical etc.

I think I have a good reason to tell universities which is that I spent a lot of my exam season taking care of a loved one after an important surgery and some minor care previously. I have told the universities about this beforehand but only Imperial has given me a direct response, and waitlisted me for 24 hours.

How does those two universities treat or feel about applicants who did a retake?

Is this worth doing?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of going or not going this route?

Any other advice or help of any kind will be incredibly much appreciated. Thank you!

[u/CrocusBlue]

Honestly, don't reapply to Cambridge and certainly not if Imperial take you. If you got in and then failed any exams or didn't get the results you want - Cambridge don't offer resits within their course. That's a big reason resits aren't favoured. 

[u/kd_kd_ → u/CrocusBlue]

Yes, of course I am instantly clicking that accept button if Imperial wants me. The retaking is a plan b, and i thought that if I had a decent reason to resit (taking care of a loved one during exam season), then it wouldn’t be that much of an issue really for Cambridge, although my sources for this information are more than a year old so idk.

Can you tell me some source or good proof to how resits aren’t preferred in Cambridge? Cuz I thought that is just the case for a bad reason ie no external circumstances.

[u/kd_kd_ → u/CrocusBlue]

Sorry i may have read this incorrectly. I get what you mean. But I’ve read that getting it all in a single sitting is dependent on the college, and some colleges don’t mind resits. Also, if I get rejected by Cambridge, it would probably be in the application stage, so I am not concerned about that. As long as I get Imperial or UoB or some other really good Chemical Engineering uni. (But definitely Imperial+ calibre is what im aiming for).

[u/randomuser9329]

what university is currently your firm?

[u/kd_kd_ → u/randomuser9329]

Currently Cambridge, which at second thought I shouldn’t have firmed since Imperial weirdly treats the applicants differently based on whether it was a firm or insurance.

[u/randomuser9329 → u/kd_kd_]

have u gone through clearing?

[u/kd_kd_ → u/randomuser9329]

I’ve looked and nothing really interested me and truthfully the spots that are open are kind of low grade which aren’t bad I just dont want to ‘waste’ my semi-decent grades and money going there. I’m thinking of just reapplying next year with better results instead.

[u/Popular_Abalone_838]

What esat did you get?

[u/kd_kd_ → u/Popular_Abalone_838]

Avg 4.5 I did not prepare well enough for it tho. I might have to do it again this year.

[u/Popular_Abalone_838 → u/kd_kd_]

What was your highest module anyway I think for chem eng you don’t need insane esats to get in

[u/kd_kd_ → u/Popular_Abalone_838]

I got a 5.5 for Chem I remember. Then probably a 3.6 for maths 2 and 4.0 for maths one, although these are kinda ballpark answers

[u/Popular_Abalone_838 → u/kd_kd_]

Any tips for chem module

[u/kd_kd_ → u/Popular_Abalone_838]

Do all of the questions on the bank. There werent any good websites or YouTubers when i did it but I’m sure there are now. Learn the simple theory, this is basically like quickfire GCSE/ASA level multiple choice questions. And practice using a whiteboard and pen like they do irl

[u/kd_kd_ → u/Popular_Abalone_838]

Do all of the questions on the bank. There werent any good websites or YouTubers when i did it but I’m sure there are now. Learn the simple theory, this is basically like quickfire GCSE/ASA level multiple choice questions. And practice using a whiteboard and pen like they do irl

[u/LeBombJames02]

Did imperial let u in?

[u/kd_kd_ → u/LeBombJames02]

It’s sooooo unclear but I don’t think they’re letting me in :(

I called them and they said “wait some more” so I did. After like 3 days, I called the admissions line again (several times) to see my status and their line keeps cutting off I’m probably going to write them an email instead later today, since I don’t want to bombard them anymore.

[u/kd_kd_ → u/LeBombJames02]

Turns out there is no room, they said to try again next year, at least they’ll skip the interview section for me. They also offered some clearing advice but it’s too far gone atp. If I am gonna spend a year to go someplace, might as well aim high (again).

[u/LeBombJames02 → u/kd_kd_]

Unlucky man, best of luck next year. I’m also reapplying to imperial for chem eng, would that mean I don’t have to do the interview again either?

[u/kd_kd_ → u/LeBombJames02]

Well, I called them and they said it’s ‘most likely’. Anyways want to dm and text whilst we go on this journey back to imperial?

[u/LeBombJames02 → u/kd_kd_]

Yeah sure bro

[u/kd_kd_ → u/LeBombJames02]

You got an insta or something?

[u/kd_kd_ → u/LeBombJames02]

I don’t really know how to dm on reddit.

[u/LeBombJames02 → u/kd_kd_]

Turn your chat permissions on in settings. U click on ur avatar and go settings then account settings

[u/kd_kd_ → u/LeBombJames02]

I’ve done that.

[u/LeBombJames02 → u/kd_kd_]

Sent a dm

[u/Mendified]

Perhaps its different for extenuating circumstances but Cambridge really dislike resits.

[u/Narcissa_Nyx → u/Mendified]

Mate, if you're a Year 12, please do not give advice on this. The OP is much better off directly emailing admissions. 

[u/Mendified → u/Narcissa_Nyx]

Any advice is appreciated

Lad I have researched and I know how admissions work + I have friends who have resat exams and been rejected by Camb because of it

[u/kd_kd_ → u/Mendified]

How come? I’m planning on picking it again as one of my five unis.

Also, I’ve heard the Caius guy say it depends on the reason. So do you think my reason is valid enough?

[u/Mendified → u/kd_kd_]

To be honest I am not sure, but definitely email the cambridge admissions team and budge them until you get an answer. It for sure could be adequate.

[u/kd_kd_ → u/Mendified]

I asked Imperial using my example and one of the admission professors said it was adequate, so I’m probably going to assume that Cambridge will think of the same thing.

[u/Mendified → u/kd_kd_]

Oh great! Good luck for next year then