I currently hold offers from both KCL and UCL at the moment.
I also applied to Cambridge but was unsuccessful.
I am considering taking a year out and then applying to Cambridge again.
I have graduated with a first and I know this does not guarantee entry into Cambridge....so how easy/difficult would it be for me to get in next year?
Would I be better off just going to either KCL or UCL? Or should I try my luck and attempt Cambridge next year?
What can I do in order to help bolster my chances of gaining entry next year?
Your opinions/thoughts would be much appreciated!

hi asc,
apperantly i am in as same situation as yours. i had already missed the deadline for both oxbridge around mid feb and applied for KCL,UCL and receiced offers. however, in spite of financal problem i deferred my offer from UCL over next year. what is your GPA that your application was rejected. in addition, currently i firmly accepted the offer from UCL and i wonder that applying for cambridge could cause a problem to offer of UCL for 2009-2010?

Firstly, I would say that applying to Cambridge should not affect any applications to UCL, I applied to Cambridge, UCL and KCL, accepted all three offers and then just sent letters to UCL and KCL revoking my acceptance.

In terms of reapplying, I would imagine it may depend upon what exactly you do on your gap year; if you reapply with the exact same application it is unlikely that you would be any more successful. From what I've heard, the admissions tutors are 'looking' for certain qualities when assessing the applications so it may be worth asking somebody in the know at your Uni whether they can give you some help next time around to make sure it's 100% perfect.

It may be worth it, especially considering the extortionate amount UCL charge for their course - the overall cost is twice as much as Cambridge.

bumping this up...any ideas/thoughts would be much appreciated.

Were your grades far off what Cambridge asks for? Were your results this summer better than the ones listed on your transcript that you had to send in last November/December?

Also, what do you plan to do with the year to make yourself more "attractive" in your next application? An internship, clerkship etc.?

My opinion, and I'm not an authority on this, is that for UK based students that grades/references are what matter most - to the exclusion of almost all else (extra-curricular etc.)