University of Cambridge, Board of Graduate Studies

[Owlet]

For those who have applied to Cambridge, how long does it typically take to hear from the BGS? My status on the self service has been "awaiting approval by the board of graduate studies" for over two weeks and has been making me very nervous.

 

On the Cambridge trusts website, they have already announced the CISS awards and the first round of funding is anticipated to be announced on Mar 16th. I do not know if this delayed offer decision will have any affect on the scholarship opportunities.

 

Is it normal to wait this long before hearing back from them? On Cambridge's website > after applying > timescales, they say "It may take up to 7 days from Degree Committee approval for your application to be approved by the Graduate Admissions Office."

 

Thanks for any information!

[Feanor]

Congratulations on your acceptance!

[Owlet]

Congratulations on your acceptance!

 

I haven't got the official acceptance. That's why I'm so worried....

I got the offer from the department, but it's the Board of Graduate Studies that make the official offer.

...and my application has been stuck there for such a long time.

 

Does anyone know how long it usually takes? 

[Feanor]

Oh, sorry, I thought you got the conditional offer because of your signature. If I'm not mistaken, they took around 7 business days to send me the conditional offer once the status changed to "application with Board of Graduate Studies". Unless there is some issue with your TOEFL/IELTS results, you should get your offer soon.

[Owlet]

Oh, sorry, I thought you got the conditional offer because of your signature. If I'm not mistaken, they took around 7 business days to send me the conditional offer once the status changed to "application with Board of Graduate Studies". Unless there is some issue with your TOEFL/IELTS results, you should get your offer soon.

 

Sorry about being misleading, I changed the signature when I heard from the department, but later I realized it takes more processes...

 

Yeah, I also thought it was usually 7 days, but I've been waiting for almost three weeks....

Do you think it's possible to get a rejection because of some issues with the TOEFL/IELTS results?

 

thanks

[Feanor]

If your scores are higher than the minimum required, you'll be fine. In this last stage, they check whether you have the minimum entry requirements set by the university and your individual department and prepare your offer and its conditions accordingly.

[bambi_86]

It took a few days for my status to change, but I'm sure it depends entirely upon the department and the overall workload of whoever is making sure that admitted applicants speak good enough English and don't have terrible grades. If your department admitted you I have a hard time seeing how you could have any results below the baseline requirements. 

[Owlet]

If your scores are higher than the minimum required, you'll be fine. In this last stage, they check whether you have the minimum entry requirements set by the university and your individual department and prepare your offer and its conditions accordingly.

 

 

It took a few days for my status to change, but I'm sure it depends entirely upon the department and the overall workload of whoever is making sure that admitted applicants speak good enough English and don't have terrible grades. If your department admitted you I have a hard time seeing how you could have any results below the baseline requirements. 

 

 

 

I'm actually a little bit worried regarding whether they take TOEFL scores any more.

 

They listed TOEFL as an accepted test on their website: http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/international-students/competence-english/what-tests-are-accepted

 

But I've also heard that many schools in the UK stopped accepting TOEFL scores.

[bambi_86]

I talked to Cambridge about this. They said TOEFL was fine still but you should probably check that with your department. 

[Owlet]

I talked to Cambridge about this. They said TOEFL was fine still but you should probably check that with your department. 

 

 

Thank you so much! This is a big relief!!!

[Feanor]

You might, however, have to take the IELTS (or other approved test) for the visa. I've heard there was a fraud incident with the TOEFL in the UK and that the UK government would stop accepting the TOEFL test for visa purposes. Here is what the government page has to say:

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-applying-for-uk-visa-approved-english-language-tests

 

And here is ETS' information on the issue: 

 

https://www.ets.org/toefl/ibt/about/who_accepts_scores/uk/

[Owlet]

You might, however, have to take the IELTS (or other approved test) for the visa. I've heard there was a fraud incident with the TOEFL in the UK and that the UK government would stop accepting the TOEFL test for visa purposes. Here is what the government page has to say:

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-applying-for-uk-visa-approved-english-language-tests

 

And here is ETS' information on the issue: 

 

https://www.ets.org/toefl/ibt/about/who_accepts_scores/uk/

 

Thanks for the information

 

hmm.. it seems like the government website did not list TOEFL, but the ETS website says TOEFL scores can be used if the listed conditions are met.

 

I wouldn't mind so much if I had to take IELTS for the visa, but I really do hope it doesn't affect my application and getting the offer

 

I suppose I will find out if IELTS is need for the visa or not when the conditional offer arrives (hopefully)

[Komugi]

Owlet and Feanor, you both got admitted to top schools. That's really impressive. I've been struggling to get into good universities, those who are just barely in the upper quartile, let alone the top. So, what's your secret? A pretty high GRE, an excellent SOP, a good research background? Please let me know. thanks!

[Feanor]

Do everything you can to make yourself likable and well-prepared. Act strategically, then spin the wheel. 

If you're aiming for a PhD, a strong research background and how well you fit are likely to be the most important factors, but ensure you have the best training as possible  (take graduate courses, watch seminars, etc) and optimise every document you are submitting  (SoP, LoR, GRE in case of American institutions...).

In order to write a really impressive SoP and manage to successfully contact supervisors, you will need information.  Be ready to spend a good amount of time learning all you can about the university, the program, your prospective supervisor and the other people in the same field - normally current PhD students are able to give you some precious tips and tend to be approachable, do try contacting them first. If you get an interview,  seize the opportunity to show how interested you really are and make it evident that you did your homework. 

The best advice I can give,  however,  is: beware this is a long,  stressful process  (but that ends at some point,  I promise!) - you should put it in motion well in advance.