The Process of College Admissions

The subject of College admissions was certainly a hot topic at the Cambridge MBA Interview Day which took place yesterday, so I thought I would blog a little about this as I proceed with College membership applications for those who have already accepted their offer. As many will know, the University of Cambridge is formed of faculties/departments (e.g. Judge Business School) and 31 Colleges, which are independent institutions in their own right.

All MBAs, in common with every student of the University, must be members of a College. Last year, we saw a fair spread of students across the Colleges although the majority would be found at those that take only mature or postgraduate students, such as Hughes Hall and Wolfson. The College application process is handled directly by the MBA Admissions Office, which has a responsiblity to secure membership of a College for each incoming MBA. This is a tricky process of negotiation between the Office and Colleges, and, to some extend, the candidate concerned if they have any desperate preference for any particular College. So what to remember?

• Colleges can take their pick of all postgraduate students. As Cambridge takes only the brightest and best, it is competitive out there so it is best to be open-minded and flexible about this process! A College can turn down an application without giving a reason.
• Some Colleges take a more traditional view than others with regarding to the taking of MBA students and prefer to concentrate on other courses which are deemed more 'academic'. (We work constantly to build relationships with these Colleges, however!)
• Your academic background may make you more or less appealing to certain Colleges for the reasons listed above.
• The MBA Admissions Office can only apply to one College at a time and has no ability to expedite decisions from the Colleges.
• Accommodation matters are handled by the College after membership is awarded. Married accommodation is at a premium. The University may be able to assist with this, however. Most Colleges will be able to offer accommodation to all single students. This could be on campus, or in graduate houses situated within the city.
• Be flexible on location. Cambridge is a compact city and the chances are the journey from College to JBS will be quicker (and certainly more pleasant) than your current commute.
• Some scholarships will award membership of a College by default. If you wish to apply for these scholarships then we must wait for the outcome of these before applying to other Colleges. These include the St. Catharine's Benavitch and Lucy Cavendish Enterprise awards.
• If an offer of membership is made, you are strongly advised to take it. Only once membership is confirmed can we issue your final offer letter.
• The MBA Admissions Office will do its best to help you with this matter and make decisions to suit your needs and requirements but oftentimes situations arise that are out of our control. Occasionally, a College may offer us places that we may need to fill quickly and without notification to ensure our continued good relationship. Please be patient with us as we too attempt to negotiate this process, which is imbibed with an element of politics and lashings of tradition! We find that most students are content in the end.

I think the thing to remember is that Cambridge Colleges are diverse, and can offer slightly different experiences. However, it can be said that the collegiate system offers certain constants: networks, pastoral care, subsidised catering (!), sports facilities and a true chance to engage with bright minds from other disciplines. On Friday, for example, I went to a book launch and got talking to a cohort of English Literature students. Lo and behold, they knew all the MBAs from their particular College.

It is also true that, because of the spread of MBAs across the Colleges, there is the opportunity to experience life at the College of your friends. I know that this year MBAs have attended Formal Hall at a variety of locations across the city.

The real advice is to be realistic and open-minded in terms of expectations, and, when you are in Cambridge, to make the most of what the College system can offer you. Remember that wherever you are the aura of tradition and academe will surround you. I feel this as a local resident and university staff member, so I can only imagine that for the student populace this is enhanced even further.