Skip to ContentSkip to Navigation
About us FEB Research / FEB FEB Research News News / FEB

FEB student Lennart Baardman admitted to MSc at Cambridge University

16 April 2013

Perseverance, a research assistantship, and showing a passion for your specialization. These ingredients can help you to go far as an FEB student, according to 20 year old student Lennart Baardman. Lennart has recently learned that he can start an MSc in Mathematics at Cambridge University in September 2013.

In September 2010 Lennart began studying for a Bachelor’s in Econometrics &Operations Research and with an average grade of 9.2 he will amply satisfy the Cambridge requirement of rounding off his Bachelor with an average 8. Lennart is expected to graduate this summer ‘summa cum laude’. After a well-earned summer holiday he will then cross the Channel to embark on his Master’s at Cambridge.

Lennart Baardman
Lennart Baardman

Congratulations on being admitted to Cambridge. What was your first thought when you heard the news?

Thank you. I was very happy and honoured, as studying at Cambridge is not for everyone and their Mathematics programme is one of the best in the world.

Why this choice?

What appeals to me most in the Cambridge MSc Mathematics is that the programme is a very broad programme. Some eighty subjects are offered in many different areas of mathematics and at a very high level. The programme of study, for instance, offers subjects in statistics and operations research, subjects I am also taking now.

What is, in your opinion, the most important reason that you were admitted to a Master’s programme at a top university such as Cambridge?

It is hard to pinpoint one single reason. Of course, it is important to get good grades and to get to know the Professors who can write letters of recommendation, something I would really like to thank both Professor Van der Vlerk and Professor Roodbergen for. I think the most important thing is that you need to write a good motivation letter. The motivation letter makes it clear why you wish to embark on a particular programme. A university such as Cambridge wants to attract the best students and wants to be sure that you are motivated and passionate about pursuing further studies in the chosen area.

What are your plans for the future, after Cambridge? Where would you like to end up eventually?

Right now I would like to do a PhD after my studies at Cambridge. Most likely in Operations Research. Because of my research assistantship I really got interested in research and I would like to pursue this further.

Have you got any tips for FEB Bachelor students who would like to go just as far as you?

Perseverance is really important. There are a quite a few things you must do before you can submit an application and the deadlines are fairly early.

It also helps if you have done extracurricular activities. For instance, it could be interesting to conduct research. If you are really interested in a particular field and you want to carry out research in that area then it would be a good idea to talk to an FEB staff member who is specialised in that particular area. Getting to know staff members also helps when it comes to the letters of recommendation that you need in support of your application.

The E & OR Programme Director,  Professor Van der Vlerk, has indicated that he is very proud of the fact that this is the second time one of his students has been admitted to Cambridge: “It is all down to Lennart himself”.

Last modified:01 February 2023 10.28 a.m.
View this page in: Nederlands

More news