A Choueifatee Goes To Cambridge
The long haul from Dubai to England took ages. We left at 4:00 PM UK time and arrived at our house in Bedford at about 11:00 AM the next day. Our flight on Cyprus Airways was an hour late, and we stopped over in Bahrain on the way. I hardly slept a wink on the first leg of the flight (which was on some crummy Airbus A319 – a model I didn’t even know existed). Is there someone out there whose job it is to make airplane seats as uncomfortable as possible?
Due to the delay, we just managed to make it in time for the connecting flight from Larnaca to Heathrow, London. The moment I stepped out of the plane, the icy chill of English wind blew past, welcoming me back. It’s been at least 4 years since I was last here. For a brief moment, I was considering falling to my knees and pulling a screaming fit of ‘I’m home! I’M HOME!’ on the tarmac á la Kevin Costner. Needless to say, I’d probably be arrested (again) if I had.
Now, so that you all know the story, I have applied to study Mathematics at University College London, King’s College London, University of Southampton, University of Bristol, Imperial College London, and University of Cambridge. So far, I have received 4 acceptances – conditional offers from Southampton, Bristol and UCL, and an unconditional offer from King’s. Imperial haven’t even given me a nod about my application [edit: this is no longer applicable. I received a conditional acceptance from them in the middle of writing this article], and my purpose here in England is to attend an interview at Trinity College, Cambridge.
Cambridge is a quaint university city. The University of Cambridge consists of 31 colleges that are spread around the city. Each has its own majestic campus. Imagine tall Gothic churches, towers and spires reaching the skies, lawns of finely cut green grass, and rivers flowing beneath wooden arches reflecting the grandness of it all. Add to this the quirky rules of only fellows (senior members of the university) being allowed to tread on the grass and you will have a faint picture of the elite University of Cambridge.
Since you know my last-minute nature, you could probably guess that despite allowing 2 hours to get to Cambridge from Bedford, I arrived at the Old Combination Room (where I was to take a gruelling 1 hour Maths test) just in the nick of time (a few minutes before 9:00 AM). There, I met with the others who had interviews today. Surprisingly, they weren’t part of the stereotypical image one gets when he/she thinks of a Maths student – glasses, acne-ridden face, black, greasy hair, and a stutter to match – they were all rather smart looking chaps (much like myself if I may say). Except for one orange-haired bloke who resembled Ron Weasley from Harry Potter except a little nerdier (if that is possible) with glasses and a pimply face. I asked where they all came from. Cornwall, Luton… A boy with a ghostly white face stared at me for a while, drew his face closer to mine and, not taking his gaze off me, whispered, ‘Romania.’ Then I looked over at the only person wearing a proper suit, tie and all, in the corridor. ‘Cardiff,’ he answered.
‘Hmmmm… That’s quite a long way.’ I pretended to look impressed. He smiled and nodded.
The grand bell outside tolled 9:00 AM and the the student supervisor called us in to the examining room. As we were walking in, the Cardiff lad asked, ‘What about you?’
‘Dubai,’ I replied bluntly, and smiled back at him.
The paper was an excruciatingly annoying (or ‘challenging’ as they like to call it) set of 10 questions – 6 on pure Mathematics, 2 on Statistics, and 2 on Mechanics (Applied Maths). Out of those 10, I managed to answer 3 fully – of which I got 1 wrong – and 3 or 4 partly – of which I got most wrong. On our way out, orange hair asked me, ‘How was it?’
‘Not too well,’ I replied, which was an understatement.
‘Yeah, it didn’t go as well as I expected.’
That made me feel slightly better as I trudged off to Mr X’s (no, he’s not an evil genius – I’m merely keeping his name anonymous) office for the interview. A Chinese undergraduate told me not to worry about the test and accompanied me for a while, but later abandoned me for a slim, blonde Architecture applicant with a black skirt and stockings. I can’t blame him – I would have done the same.
I reached Mr X’s door, pulled myself together, and knocked three thumps into the white wooden door. ‘YES, COME IN!’ the blaring, but jolly, call came from inside. Obi-Wan-like voices inside my head were feeding final snippets of advice to me: ‘Remember, Jeremy, firm handshake, maintain eye contact, always…’ I grasped the oval shaped door handle, twisted it, and walked in. Two professors stood up and greeted me and asked me to take a seat.
The older man (Mr X) had a short grey and white beard, and an aged face. He took my file, and asked, ‘And you’re Jeremy?’ He fingered through it for a bit, raised his eyebrows, smirked, and said, ‘So you think you’re a home student?’
[A home student pays £3,000 a year, while those considered overseas students pay £18,000 a year. The rules are a bit hazy concerning those abroad who are liable for home student status, the main loophole being that if you had to leave the UK because one of your parents was 'temporarily' employed outside the UK then it's okay. It's at the discretion of each university to interpret the rules and decide your status, though, and I can't say with confidence that the majority of universities will see my 15-year sojourn in the UAE as temporary.]
‘Ummm… I THINK I’m a home student, yes,’ I replied, emphasising strongly on the word ‘think’.
‘Mmmmmm…’ He pondered over the file a bit a bit more. ‘Well, I’m afraid you may find that you’re not considered a… Ah!’ He stumbled upon something I had written, ‘Perhaps you might since your dad was employed abroad – ah! – temporarily,’ he chuckled and gave me a sly look as if implying that I was a sneaky bastard (which I am in a way). ‘Well, I’m not sure how long you can extend temporary,’ he added.
‘Well, it all depends on your definition of temporary really,’ I said in an attempt to justify my application.
‘So you’ve come from Dubai, have you?’ the younger and taller chap asked. He was quite friendly.
‘Yep.’
‘How was the flight?’
‘It was absolutely awful.’ I laughed with them. Too bad they probably thought I was joking.
Much to my dismay, this talking session only lasted about 2 or so minutes, which was disheartening as I was banking on playing my personality card rather strongly. The 50 other minutes consisted of me drooling a puddle onto the paper in front of me, trying to understand how to work the current problem out, and the younger professor breaking the problem into continually easier series of steps. Mr X would occasionally offer his help, and sounded slightly annoyed when I couldn’t answer what seemed blatantly obvious to him. By the end of the interview, I had slogged my way through only 2 of the test questions.
I was then finally asked if I had any questions about Cambridge. I felt rather empty for not having any, and wondered if I should make something up just to please them. Then Mr X said, ‘You don’t have to have any. In fact, I’d prefer it if you didn’t. Sometimes students wish to ask all sorts of questions such ‘Can I specialise in first year? Is it possible to do this…’ and the like.’ I feel he was slightly glad he didn’t have any questions to answer.
‘Well…’ he grinned widely and tapped both his palms on the desk. That was my cue to leave. I stood up and shook their hands once more. They thanked me for coming. I felt like I had just been declared the weakest link – ‘Goodbye!’.
Hail! I know exactly what you’re talking about. I had to go through pretty much the same thing although on a much lesser scale at Leeds. Anyway, all I went for was an orientation, so it isn’t much to count on. Anyway, good luck with the results, and maybe I’ll be around in a year or so.
PS: The list of colleges is bluer than Ivy League. Bloody great….
Aryavansh Shukla said this on December 11th, 2006 at 8:56 pm
You always make things sound worse than they actually are, I’m sure you did brilliantly on the tests and everything and you’ll be next posting witty articles from your dorm in the spires of the Gothic style buildings (á la Harry Potter), laughing at the people who still call the cotton-candy-pink building “school”
Galine said this on December 11th, 2006 at 9:03 pm
I wouldn’t want to go to such a school in the first place because of all that hassle. I mean, sure its Cambridge after all but at the same time, interview? Only senior students can walk on the grass? I dont know man, sounds like a posh, private high school to me ;-)
Mustafa said this on December 12th, 2006 at 4:13 am
One of my friends has applied to at least three of the colleges in your list. He already went over to Cambridge for his interview – he came back on the 6th. He’s studying economics, and they asked him a question on global warming. Then they had him study an article from The Economist and comment on the difference in wages between European and US workers. Needless as it is to say, Cambridge seems to operate on a Darwinian system of admissions.
He also turned 18 the day he came back. That is a pity. Now he has to wait 6 months before he can get a drink where it’s legal.
None of that kind of stress for me, though. I had my MIT interview on the 2nd and it was fantastic! My interviewer was attractive, it took place in a cafe, and, to plagiarize you, I played the personality card magnificently for the hour in which I talked with her. Yes, it wasn’t an interrogation – it was an actual back-and-forth conversation! American universities look so much more preferable to the brilliant underachievers that populate Abu Dhabi Choueifat.
But I talk too much for my own good, and I should actually have been at school today. Oops. Only 2 people in my Math class now, and no one in Applied. Good luck in whatever future ordeals the UK college system has planned for you, bro.
Caracaos said this on December 12th, 2006 at 11:18 am
I wish the best for you Jeremy, ( and if you make it in I can brag about having a very smart next-cousin in London):) You are seriously living a dream, I want to go to Cambridge aswell! Put in a good word for me ey? ;)
Michelle Johnsson said this on December 12th, 2006 at 12:19 pm
Can we cheat our way in…I want out of this hell hole middlesex….first yrs 1st semester is over…and 2nd is a good month and a half away….so tell me if we can cheat in will you
Omer Abbasi said this on December 12th, 2006 at 2:36 pm
Hail, Arry! Best o’ luck with that. I noticed you put up a link to my site – I’ve done the same for yours now.
I appreciate your faith, Galine, but my fate lies in the hands of a couple of Cambridge professors now.
Musty – the rules may be weird, but they’re wonderfully English. :D
Caracaos, I heard awful things about MIT, but they seem to be unfounded. Sounds like a perfect interview. I wish I could have had a conversation with them for a bit at least – I came all the way over there just for that interview.
‘My interviewer was attractive…’ as in you had a woman interviewing you (I hope)? :o You lucky bastard!
My commiserations to your friend.
Lots of people in Sharjah and Dubai Choueifat tend to go to Canada for university, and McGill, I imagine, has become a cesspit of Choueifat undergraduates by now.
Hehe, there was no one in my class yesterday. Hence, the reason I’m at home today. That, and I’ve only got one class of Maths at the end of the day today.
Will do, Michelle. ;)
Omer, I wouldn’t count on it. :D
btw, do you get a British education degree from the Middlesex university here in Dubai?
The English Nomad said this on December 12th, 2006 at 3:23 pm
Judging by the timing of your post, end of the day was 13 minutes ago. Run! Run! :P
Oh yeah. The interviewer – this is odd, and actually quite intimidating. She’s the MD for strategy at DEPA in Dubai, and she’s 26. My brain hemorrhaged when I heard that.
People from Dubai go to McGill. People from Abu Dhabi go to the University of Toronto. Everyone else goes to an AUsomething, AUB, AUD, AUS, whichever. Out of 127 grads last year, 13 stayed for 13th grade, and 10 went to the states.
Anyways, the frequency with which I look at this page, and the abject boredom that is, more than likely, causing it, is frightening me, so, let’s hope this will be the last post for some time from a stranger in Abu Dhabi experiencing strangely parallel circumstances. Later.
Caracaos said this on December 12th, 2006 at 3:31 pm
Coolios. I submitted my UCAS application last week, as my college told me they wouldn’t be supporting my Oxford application because of my AS levels. I haphazardly made a bunch of haphazard applications this year and plan on taking a third year. Ironically enough I might end up in the right year for my age, for the first time since I was six. Still, if all goes well I’ll be able to turn up to Oxford interviews this time next year, happy in the knowledge that I already have a place somewhere.
Modern History and Politics – Cardiff University
Philosophy and Politics – Durham University
Philosophy and History – University of Exeter
History and Philosophy – Keele University
Philosophy – The University of Nottingham
Philosophy and History – University of Southampton
Oxbridge can be a little weird, but in a good way. My only concern about applying will be that once you enter the university you never have a chance to have a social life outside it.
Tostig/Michael said this on December 13th, 2006 at 12:48 pm
You know what book should be published instead of Poe? ‘Interviews gone wrong”. Scares the living bejeezus outta me. I agree with Galine on this one Jer, it probably went fine. And hey, even if it didn’t, it’s not like you’ll be doing Gr. 13 again, right? you gotta look on the bright side of things.
Um, dude that had the MIT interview. Did you have yours in Abu Dhabi or in Sharjah? Cos I have mine scheduled for some day after the 16th and I’m really really nervous for it. But the lady that’s taking it sounds pretty young. Anywho…
Best of luck Jeremy, it’s nice to have you back in school.
Grow your damned hair back!
Nami said this on December 13th, 2006 at 9:06 pm
Caracaos, the low turnout is evidence of our extraordinary ambition and willpower (or so I keep telling myself everytime I enter our 13S classroom). xD
Going big on Philosophy, eh, Tossy? I wanted to do Philosophy as a minor when I was considering US universities. That, and a range of other subjects including Psychology.
It doesn’t bother me that much, Nammy. Imperial College is not exactly a bad university. :D
My hair? :o Facial or head?
The English Nomad said this on December 13th, 2006 at 9:57 pm
Well, if pop back and happen to read this, Nami, I had mine in Abu Dhabi, but that’s because my interviewer was visiting Abu Dhabi for her parents or something. You may have to go over to Dubai, but I dunno. Speaking of which, if your interviewer’s initials are NS (Don’t ask why I’m being so paranoid O.o), then awesome, because she was mine, and the interview went off without a hitch. Trust me. If you want to slug blind, go ahead, but I could tell you the kinds of questions she asked me. I just need to remember them completely.
Nomad, I totally agree with you. It takes seriously driven students to attend an hour long boring class, but you need the will of a Greek God to resist the temptation to learn in a class and just study at home. :P
Caracaos said this on December 14th, 2006 at 4:37 pm
“Grow your damned hair back!”
“My hair? :o Facial or head?”
Head, Jeremy, head ;)
Dana said this on December 14th, 2006 at 9:36 pm
Yeah, Caracaos, I honestly don’t understand how you survive Applied Maths lessons. Even being in that class with someone else was enough to drive me over the edge.
Dana, I’ll end up looking like Conan the Barbarian (without the muscles) – http://cache.eb.com/eb/image?id=87992
The English Nomad said this on December 15th, 2006 at 11:31 am
First off, Nomad, my apologies for posting something that’s not entirely pertinent to this post, or the subsequent thread. Soz man.
Secondly, Nami, here are 5 questions I remember which I don’t think I answered VERY well. I’m assuming you’re going to be interviewed by the same person who interviewed me, so, just keep it cool, smile a lot, and make her laugh. I don’t know the actual impact on her laughing on her evaluation, but I do know that you walk away with a sense of gratification after having done that.
In no particular order:
1) If you had infinite time and resources, what would you like to do? (Whether it’s a leisure activity or academic interest – make it interesting. I screwed up because I said something about how I would try and change the world. I think I came back nicely, though)
2) What do you like to do for fun. I responded with reading and rugby – reading elicits the ‘what was the most recent book’ inquiry. Whatever you do, don’t say Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged – I used that answer, and she may consider that there is a conspiracy against her. O.o
3) How do you work in a group environment? Illustrate such a situation.
4) Tell me about an experience that’s changed your outlook.
5) What are your long term goals and ambitions (and, to add a corollary), what are you planning on majoring in.
Frankly, I don’t even know why I offered advice on those questions – I don’t even know how capable you are at this. My bad, bro.
Oh, and also, if it is the same interviewer as mine, keep in mind that she went to Choueifat for most of high school, so it’s never a bad idea to make some subtle reference to the salt mines. Again, your call.
Hope you read this before the interview. Good luck.
And, to finish this off, My sincere apologies again, Jeremy. I’m guessing the frequency of my posts makes me a troll? :P
Caracaos said this on December 15th, 2006 at 7:56 pm
No worries, Caracaos! :D
I’m quite happy for the activity on the site. :)
The English Nomad said this on December 15th, 2006 at 10:02 pm
You know, I actually don’t think you’re paranoid ‘cos I was going to do the same thing. Mine’s initials are PHL, and the interview is in Sharjah.
Salt mines???
Thanks a bunch hon! Those are soo helpful. you rock!
Yes, Jer, head hair. But grow back the facial hair as well.
Nami said this on December 18th, 2006 at 6:46 pm
okay, so i had the interview, and it was….brilliant!! :happy: She didn’t ask me such complicated questions. It was a really comfortable and easy-going conversation, and she was really really positive about it. God, Jer’s interview tale gave me nightmares. But it seemed like everybody except for me was stressed out about it. My mum and my best friend were having panic attacks. I threw a party last night and every 10 minutes my mate was going, should i kick them out now, cos you need to go to bed. But ’twas all good.
Nami said this on December 23rd, 2006 at 12:24 pm
Congrats, Nammy! Glad it went well. :)
I wish Cambridge had some alumni here I could’ve had an interview with. I’m still awaiting the dreaded reply. :cry:
The English Nomad said this on December 23rd, 2006 at 12:45 pm
Very nicely done, Nami! Hope you felt as good afterwards as I did. Anyhow. If you’ve submit that app, good luck getting accepted, and if not, then, well, good luck!
Caracaos said this on December 23rd, 2006 at 6:15 pm
You sound rather pessimistic about Cambridge. I hope it’s only your subjective perception and you’ll be admitted. I know someone who’d be happy and proud if you did. BTW, Jeremy, are these postings simple pages of a diary or you intend to polish them into some pieces of literature later on? If yes, you have a long way to walk and lots of homework to do. You could turn this article (and others) into something very interesting: insist more on details, develop your ideas, and add some more flavour and research. About the university, the interview itself, the teachers, the other candidates… What happened to the student from Cardiff (I liked him wearing a proper suit and tie!), what about the ghostly looking guy from Romania (I heard they are very good in maths over there), the orange-haired one (he seems to be a friendly chap)…
How about that! Good luck.
Ayouni said this on January 3rd, 2007 at 2:45 pm
I really can’t tell if I did well in the interview as I don’t know anyone I can compare to. An answer should be coming in within the next few days.
In a way, these are merely pages of a diary, but a little more than that – they are stories of my experiences told in (what I hope is) an interesting and/or entertaining manner.
Any article that has already been written will not be drastically changed in the future. Literary writings I enjoy, but they do not appeal to everyone. I will try to write some more, however.
The English Nomad said this on January 3rd, 2007 at 5:06 pm