Feanor

I'm Brazilian and just got admitted to both Oxford and Cambridge (for a Master's, but the procedure is similar). It is definitely possible, just work on the stuff everybody else does (have as much meaningful research experience as possible, perfect LoR, high GRE scores for the U.S, graduate-level courses if applicable and good TOEFL/IELTS scores) and try to get decent faculty contact in target institutions. The next application round should begin in August/September and I recommend you complete your application as soon as possible once they are open. Also, ensure good grades in the GRE and get rid of it as soon as possible (so you'll have time to take it again should you need it).

I'd come for Part III of the Mathematical Tripos, but I have not yet decided whether to go to Cambridge or to Oxford. I'm still waiting for news regarding College placement and funding in both places.

By the way, when did you guys get your offers? Have you heard from a college? If so, when? It's been 6 weeks now and nothing

Oh, another MFoCS applicant! Hi

@VulpesZerda I've been to both and well...they are simply lovely

I am split between two universities which are very similar and yet so different... I've resigned to wait and see if the Gods of Funding and Miscellaneous Perks will make the call for me

Oh, hey, I had my interview in early January and was accepted by the end of the month. The interview lasted for about half an hour and I'd say it's nothing to worry about. It wasn't too formal and they asked the expected questions (why Oxford? What are your plans? etc) as well as a few technical and semi-technical questions, but all very simple. They will allow you to ask questions as well and I'd recommend you to do so as long as the question is meaningful/pertinent. The farthest it went in terms of technicalities was asking me for a definition related to a project I was working on at the time and that I mentioned during the interview. Do your best to let them know you did your research on the University, the course structure and staff and have concrete reasons to want to be there specifically. Feel free to ask if you have any other questions and do let us know how it went once it's over

I just leave it open, actually...

Oh, hi, we'd be in the same program in case I decide to go to Oxford

Got an email from "Graduate Admissions and Funding 2015-16"... asking me to complete a survey.

Awesome No...nothing yet. I am SO curious about the college right now...

Yeah, it feels bad to complain about it, Kleene xD. By the way, until when can one withdraw an acceptance without repercussions? As I understood it, my acceptance would only be final after accepting the college offer and signing the student contract, is that correct?

Ugh, and now I got the offer from Cambridge =x

Congratulations, Kleene

I'll try to forget about it, but I'm very, very curious Did you guys get other tempting offers as well when you first applied to Oxford? Was it hard to decide?

Yes I did. Alright then, I'll just try to be patient

Got an offer for an MSc, having applied in October (had an interview in January 7 and received the offer in January 22). Now waiting for the college offer and any new information while freaking out about what I'll do in case I also get an offer from Cambridge.

I suppose you are right, Kleene. I'll have to think for some more time. And it seems Cambridge can detect my thoughts, because as soon as I started complaining that their decision was taking too long and that I would most likely just accept Oxford's offer my application status switched to "application with the degree committtee""

Thanks be to Gauss, I hope to have a pleasant surprise as well . Is an early admission a good sign? Or it doesn't mean anything at all? Is a January admission considered "early"? Sorry for the interrogation

Thanks for the information, that a good pro.

Thanks for the advice I suppose I will wait for the first week of February before contacting the universities and think about the possibilities meanwhile. People are pushing me to go to Cambridge in case I get an offer (I have an acquaintance there and two of my recommenders are Cambridge alumni), but I will try to be objective. It is still really hard to decide hah. And your friend has a really good taste on Mathematics, Zigsun

Thanks for the feedback, I was a little worried about that since I have next to no knowledge of CS, its good to hear people have managed to take it as an almost pure maths course. What is your college? And do you mind mentioning where you are applying to?

I am mostly interested in Category Theory and fields such as Algebraic Topology and Homological Algebra, so the course has a nice appeal...and I've had a look at some papers on Categorical Quantum Mechanics and it looks rather interesting. Would you say, however, that it is a good pick for people more concerned with the pure mathematics' side? That's a major concern, when comparing to Cambridge's Part III.

Thank you very much for this information, this is very helpful Zigsun. Still, it seems that if I accept Oxford's offer now (but get admitted to Cambridge later), I could possibly miss a Cambridge scholarship I'd be considered for... is that correct? They want me to accept the initial offer by February 16... Are you a MFoCS graduate, Kleene? It does sound amazing and I'm inclined to take their offer, but in case Cambridge makes me an offer for Part III it will be a really tough decision to make.

Can't you ask them for an extension on your decision deadline? I've heard it is pretty common. The withdraw policy seems to change from place to place, but this information should be in your offer letter. For example, the offer I got specifies that I can withdraw my acceptance within 14 days of them receiving my email taking the offer.