UCL vs. X official question thread

I think you're eminently sensible, at least to be thinking about this. Too many people prize the institution over the course.

If it's the Sciences-Po dual degree, I'd definitely see it as a very attractive alternative. And perhaps the moreso since that first intake will be shepherded thorugh to make sure it's a success.

When was your assessment day? I also hold an offer to study ESPS at UCL, having been rejected pre-interview from Oxford PPE on the basis of my TSA - obvs very surprised to get the UCL offer seeing as the TSA is the bane of my life.

But yeah for me I'd also personally enjoy UCL's course infinitely more - ESPS gives such an amazing range of options, with the chance of specialisation etc, it sounds incredible. However, I'm rejecting ESPS for LSE (Government and Economics) because for me LSE > UCL (especially for the social sciences). Moreover, LSE will set me up for life: you go anywhere around the world with an Oxbridge or LSE degree and you're laughing. But yeah, for me, in terms of WHERE I'd have enjoyed, and which course I'd have enjoyed, it would have been UCL ESPS > LSE Govt/Econ > Oxford PPE (thank God I don't have to study Philosophy now). But in terms of prestige, and which place would enhance my CV the best it would go Oxf PPE > LSE Govt/Econ > UCL ESPS. If I'd got all 3, I would have seriously sat down and considered my options, but probably have ended up going to Oxford, even though I personally would have hated it there (hated the whole Hogwarts-esque college atmosphere, and LOVE London and LSE).

So in short, I personally would choose the best course for you - but of course everyone is different. Reject Oxford if you'll enjoy UCL more and the course more, but you may in a few years time think back and say 'why did I never take up that Oxford offer?' At the same time, telling someone you rejected Oxford PPE and you will honestly be revered as the gutsiest person on the planet.

Arghhhh

I really don't know. I'm just putting it to the back of my mind. I'm completely different to you- I lovelovelove Oxford and philosophy and everything but the ESPS course is just so amazing.

Mine was on the 18th of January- you?

Arghhhh

I really don't know. I'm just putting it to the back of my mind. I'm completely different to you- I lovelovelove Oxford and philosophy and everything but the ESPS course is just so amazing.

Mine was on the 18th of January- you?

Also what are your grades and subjects like if you don't mind me asking? Those are an incredible pair of offers - well done. Where else have you applied?

Awww thanks so much

hmm there's a lot going on at the moment in terms of work and school and other stuff so this q has sort of taken a backseat but it's continuously there grrr.

I was going to apply to LSE but I wasn't sure I'd like such a diluted atmosphere and apparently you don't get much support though I don't know how true that it. (And my aunt who I hate went there and won't shut up about how prestigious it is so I guess it was to spite her as well...) haha

Offers:

Leeds AAB Econ and Pol
York AAA (inc maths), A*AA (excl maths) PPE
UCL A*AA ESPS (though they haven't updated my track yet?)
Oxford AAA (inc maths and politics) PPE

Haven't heard back from Warwick yet

Err I did History, Latin, French, Maths and Politics last year and just managed to scrape 5As overall though I got 3/4 B modules I think.

I'm predicted A*s in history, french and politics (never going to happen haha) and an A in maths (I only just scraped an A at AS and I'm really struggling).

You?

UCL will definitely be my insurance if it's not my firm which I know is a bit high risk but since maths is my problem area seems fairly reasonable??

xx

I've also not heard back from Warwick yet. I'm doing Eng, Hist, Maths, French, (and Gen Studies) predicted 5A*s. What about your GCSEs? Well done again, your UCAS has been really successful.

I'd go for the ESPS. UCL might not have as good a reputation as Oxon, but its definitely the better course, and you can choose your own modules etc. much more flexibly.

Did you receive the same paragraph as me? “I would just like to add that the Admissions Tutor was particularly impressed with your application and felt that you were especially suited for ESPS.“

I really hope they don't send this to everybody...

Hi everyone,

So you're going to think I'm absolutely nuts and most people I've spoke to do but after getting an open offer for PPE at Ox I had a UCL Assessment Day for ESPS. At first I wasn't eve going to go, but my parents told me it would be a good experience so I turned up, having not done any prep or anything to take the tsa again

I fullyfullyfully expected a rejection but I got a email saying how the admissions tutor was especially impressed with my application and how I was perfect to do the course. It's essentially French + Politics but with lots of added flexibility (google it/ask specific qs) and it seems like course wise it'd be a better fit for me than PPE.

Full disclosure here- I go to private school (though I am on a bursary) so while elitism etc. is a factor, I don't feel I have a problem with the traditions/the people/the lifestyle at Oxford, it really is a question of the course.

I never thought I'd be considering firming UCL but I am and I just wanted some opinions from people who don't know me...

tl;dr -- Open offer for Oxford PPE, unexpected offer for UCL ESPS- like the ESPS course better, what shall I do?

Thanks for your help guys

I also got an offer from Cambridge, but you know its a bit meh! I mean intellectual powerhouse and other stuff aside, I would rather study what I want to at UCL. So what did I do? I firmed it.

omg I did. Grrr they're obviously pretty desperate if they're sending the same line to everyone? Where else did you apply/what for if you don't mind me asking?

what subject if you don't mind me asking?

omg I did. Grrr they're obviously pretty desperate if they're sending the same line to everyone? Where else did you apply/what for if you don't mind me asking?

I don't think they're sending it to everyone. It would quickly become apparent and would then be embarrassing... Although they might, its probably true; the state of the Admissions Tutor being impressed is probably a condition for an offer... I don't know... How can we ask any other offer holders?

You aren't the only one to have received that specific message. I should know, I got it too. And I know at least two others who have received the same thing.

I really hope that UCL isn't sending this out to every single soul who got accepted into ESPS.... It can't be that they're desperate. This course is massively over-subscribed to, with a 9% acceptance rate!

And by the way, I think the “I rejected Oxford“ feeling is much better than the “I'm studying at Oxford“ feeling.