2017 Oxford Prospective Students

Okay. Just be aware that Economics at university level will have a lot of Maths, so if you don't enjoy Maths then you may want to rethink it a little.

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Seeing top grades here makes me a bit nervous, since im taking A levels as an aditional qualification, but lets go:
Did you do well in your GCSES?
2A*, 1A (only did 3 for IAL introduction)
What a levels are you doing?
Currently A2 Math, Economics and just started A2 History
Which course do you plan to apply for?
History and Politics
Do any particular colleges interest you? Why?
Considering Merton, cause I love the medieval architecture, but tbh all colleges look amazing, I'll have a hard time deciding after all
What are your hobbies?
Debating, dancing and singing are the ones I try to make room for in the schedule. But, I love the theatre, literature and sports, but for the time being I rarely find time for them (problems of attending basically 2 high school programs at the same time :'( )
If you were given a place next year, what would you do for the rest of the day?
It would probably take me a while to realise that its actaully happening! I guess when I'm done screaming, I'd love to go out and have drinks with friends!

Anyone else for Hist-Pol?

Yep but my AS levels thus far aren't making me too confident

Hello! I'm from India. And my subjects are: History, political science, economics, english and fine arts.

I wish to apply for History and Economics as luckily it's not mandatory to study Mathematics for it, but it is still recommend. Should i drop the idea and pursue another course?

I will also be applying to LSE and King's College, London for History and international relations.

Any advice is appreciated.

Would GCSE retakes be considered negatively?
I'm applying for English Literature and retaking 4 GCSEs to boost them up to A*s
I currently have 3*5A3B and I'm taking an additional GCSE so regardless of the results I will have 12GCSEs by the time I apply
I've already finished one and in the middle of taking the other 4 so the answers you guys give me won't make much difference but just wondering! (you can tell I'm pretty nervous)
Plus after this year's ASs I don't think I'll get too bad (predicted all As but one of my history essays weren't up to my usual standard and OCR ethics.... well people who took it- you know what I mean.) but I'm so tied up on GCSEs right now because I know I won't probably get about 98UMS average to be good enough for Cambridge and my GCSEs aren't really top notch for Oxford so I'll just feeling quite depressed.
Exams this year was just eurgh I've practically given up on hoping for 4As
Anyway sorry for the long post- any answers would be good!

I am having a really hard time deciding whether I would like to apply to Oxbridge. Like, going to oxbridge would be so cool and amazing but I don't know what I want to study. I can't see myself studying just one thing for 3 years. Most people tell me I should apply for maths, but I like maths and all but sometimes it gets a little boring, so I imagine it'll be worse if that's the only thing I'm doing. Plus I hate physics/mechanics/dynamics, which are kind of inescapable in a maths degree. I'm thinking right now that I'm going to apply for maths and economics, as i like my economics a level and it will be more interesting studying more than one subject, but this isn't a combo either cambridge or oxford do. cambridge allow maths students to do some years of maths and some years of economics, but cambridge maths is so difficult to get into that i wouldn't waste changing my whole application to just maths when I'm already so unlikely to get in there, and i don't see the point of putting so much effort into a maths application if in the small chance i got in, i would just change to econ.

any advice?

I am having a really hard time deciding whether I would like to apply to Oxbridge. Like, going to oxbridge would be so cool and amazing but I don't know what I want to study. I can't see myself studying just one thing for 3 years. Most people tell me I should apply for maths, but I like maths and all but sometimes it gets a little boring, so I imagine it'll be worse if that's the only thing I'm doing. Plus I hate physics/mechanics/dynamics, which are kind of inescapable in a maths degree. I'm thinking right now that I'm going to apply for maths and economics, as i like my economics a level and it will be more interesting studying more than one subject, but this isn't a combo either cambridge or oxford do. cambridge allow maths students to do some years of maths and some years of economics, but cambridge maths is so difficult to get into that i wouldn't waste changing my whole application to just maths when I'm already so unlikely to get in there, and i don't see the point of putting so much effort into a maths application if in the small chance i got in, i would just change to econ.

any advice?

Hey, first of all I would just relax and wait for your results before making too many decisions. I'm sure your UMS would be fine for Cambridge even without 98 average, and that your GCSEs would be fine for oxford. I know you're nervous and want some kind of stability, but genuinely wait until results day and then see how you're doing - I'm sure it'll be better than you think, and you don't need to have perfect grades to apply

Seeing your post a couple pages back, I feel like you definitely have a very strong profile for either of the Oxbridge universities! The issue is the course. I went for Oxford's open day and I happened to be interested in economics then. Oxford's economics degree is quite math-sy, but not so much that you'd get an even split of maths and economics, if you know what I'm saying. I actually think warwick has a degree that is very much suited to your interests, I suggest you check it out! Also I know how you're feeling, I'm an international student applying for medicine in the most competitive uni in the UK (I don't know what I'm thinking) but really, take some time to think about what you really want and then you can make an application to the best of your interests good luck!

I can't see myself studying just one thing for 3 years. Most people tell me I should apply for maths, but I like maths and all but sometimes it gets a little boring, so I imagine it'll be worse if that's the only thing I'm doing. Plus I hate physics/mechanics/dynamics, which are kind of inescapable in a maths degree.

Dear tsr community,
I am an overseas student who is interested in applying for PPE in the autumn of 2016. Below I have listed the majority of activities that I have taken part in, (some minor and irrelevant ones such as participation in art expositions and piano have not been included):
-School volleyball team captain-Leos club president 2013-2014 and ongoing member
-Vice captain of green house 2015-2016
-Annual participation in the school choir and school shows ( some major roles)
-In the progress of completion of my Duke of Edinburgh gold medal award-School council and house rep. Years 7 to 11
-Cambridge certificate of proficiency in English ( top grade (A))
-Numerous LAMDA exams all passed with distinction
- GCSE grades: 8A*, 3A and 2B (awarded the prize for best GCSE results of 2015 in the school)
-Participated as delegate in the FAMUN 2016 (Model United Nations)
-1st language English, Spanish and Russia
- Co-creator of the school debating society.

Currently I am studying my A levels, this year taking the full Spanish A level, Russian AS, English Lit AS and Maths AS (also doing History but doing both AS and A2 exams next year. However, unfortunately this year, my Maths AS exams did not go very well, and I fear they will come out as a B (something I am very worried about, for I feel like I have lost all my chances of a successful application).
Therefore, I have the following questions for the tsr community:

Are my current achievements enough to apply?
If I do come out with a B at AS maths, would Oxford look down on a retake?
Can I leave maths as an AS and do another another A level in a year, and if so which would you recommend?
Thank you in advance for your feedback.