The Official 2018 Oxford Offer Holders' Thread!

Heya guys, tbh I feel like my GCSEs are a bit on the low side for Oxford But if you don't take the risk you'll never know - right?

What did you get at GCSE? 6A*s, 3As, B
What A levels will you be studying? Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Computing and possibly an EPQ (I also might take a language outside of school)
What course will you be applying for? Physics or Maths (I don't know yet...) and maybe combined with Philosophy? What extra-curricular activities do you do? I'm a youth leader at my youth group, I play 5 instruments (but I've taken no gradings so I should probably get round to it soon). I used to co-lead my school's choir (I'm moving for 6th form...). I'm also in charge of a Facebook page for something weird. I've also read a lot of Physics/Maths books and I've been a non-paid leader at a sleepaway camp. Any colleges you're interested in? And why? I haven't started checking out colleges yet! Why Oxford and not Cambridge? Because I'm pretty certain about doing Physics and I don't really like the sound of Nat Sci.

Your GCSEs are totally fine for Physics at Oxford, nothing to worry about there! I'm about to go into my second year so if you (or any other possible physics applicants) have any questions feel free to ask.

Hi, got quite a few questions hope you dont mind. Firstly what were you gcses and a levels like? Secondly, how did you find the PAT and what did you do to prepare for it? Finally, how was your first year?

Thanks

No problem

GCSEs: 4A*, 5A, 3B + distinction in an ICT award equivalent to a GCSE
AS levels (i.e. the grades I already had when I applied): A in A level maths + AAA in AS chemistry, physics, biology
Predicted grades: A*A*A*A
Achieved grades: A*A*A*A (maths - resat core 3 - physics, chemistry and further maths)
PAT score: 56, only one above the cutoff for that year! I was hugely underprepared for the PAT, definitely did not do enough work for it (but I knew that at the time). Use the topics listed on the PAT website, make sure you know all of those (including anything you have to self teach because you won't have covered it all after your first year of A levels), do all the past papers thoroughly. Those are the most important things you can do really. I found the PAT quite difficult, as it is supposed to be. this puts a lot of people off since most people doing it will be used to getting 90% + fairly easily and when they suddenly have to work at something they get disheartened or stressed, so you just have to keep working at it.

First year was hard but not unmanageably so, very busy and also fun. A few things are totally new (e.g. special relativity), and some are more based on things you're familiar with from A levels, especially if you did further maths (calculus, mechanics...). It goes so fast since it's a bit non stop from October to June!

Thanks, that was really helpful. Just quickly what college are you at and how did you choose?
Thanks again

What did you get at GCSE? 11 A*s, also an A* in EPQ

What A levels will you be studying? Maths, Further Maths, Physics and English Literature

What course will you be applying for? Physics and Philosophy (tho I would love just physics as well)

What extra-curricular activities do you do? Err, a fair bit of music related stuff, R/C plane building, MUN and prolific (if i do say so myself) school newspaper writer

Any colleges you're interested in? And why? No idea, in the slightest yet,

Why Oxford and not Cambridge? Physics > Natsci imo (plus the philosophy option), and the bodleian library looks gorgeous (I like reading, sue me)

GCSEs: 8A*s and 3As
Sixth form plans: doing the IB with maths, physics and chemistry at hl
Course interested in: Physics
Why oxford not cambridge? Prefer the physics course over nat sci although that could still end up being an option.
Anyone got any reading suggestions for physics?

Hey! What else will you be doing ie extra curriculars / work experience in order to strengthen your physics application ? I'm doing the EPQ but I'm not sure what else I can do yet 😅

Hey, I'd recommend "Gravity" by Brian Clegg, "Quantum" by Manjit Kumar and "The Wonderful World of Relativity " by an author I can't remember ( I think it's Andrew something). All three are quite awesome! I'm kinda reading all of them simultaneously so I'm not yet done but I definitely recommend them!

GCSEs: 8A*s and 3As
Sixth form plans: doing the IB with maths, physics and chemistry at hl
Course interested in: Physics
Why oxford not cambridge? Prefer the physics course over nat sci although that could still end up being an option.
Anyone got any reading suggestions for physics?

What did you get at GCSE? 13 A* and an A in AS Level RE
What A levels will you be studying? Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Latin and RE
What course will you be applying for? Chemistry
What extra-curricular activities do you do? Guides, volunteering
Any colleges you're interested in? And why? University College as they seem to be very financially generous as well as being quite relaxed for one of the old colleges. The maths week they offer for science students also sounds very helpful
Why Oxford and not Cambridge? Oxford seems much more lively and isn't too far from home. Also, Natural Sciences doesn't appeal to me as much as doing just Chemistry

Honestly, I feel so out of my depth looking at the application process. Any advice about what I can start doing now to increase my chances of getting in would be greatly appreciated, as I don't even know where to start!

13 A*s at GCSE puts you right at the very top of the application process! Well done on that. Anyone in your school get higher?

Thank you so much! Yes actually, one person sat one more GCSE than me and also had all A*s, so I'll just have to settle for second place. Considering my school only has a 50% pass rate, I can hardly complain!What did you get in your GCSEs?

Wow you did really well if your school has a 50% success rate. Surely you're going to leave them form a better sixth form ahaha? I got 14 A*s and 2 As, but need a remark in french because I was 1 UMS off. I still had a few people beat me though, so I didn't get top spot

Wow you did really well if your school has a 50% success rate. Surely you're going to leave them form a better sixth form ahaha? I got 14 A*s and 2 As, but need a remark in french because I was 1 UMS off. I still had a few people beat me though, so I didn't get top spot

My school only lets me take ten iGCSEs, but I have 9 (hopefully soon to be 10) A*'s, will doing less put me at a disadvantage in the application?


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Hey! What else will you be doing ie extra curriculars / work experience in order to strengthen your physics application ? I'm doing the EPQ but I'm not sure what else I can do yet 😅

Hey, I'd recommend "Gravity" by Brian Clegg, "Quantum" by Manjit Kumar and "The Wonderful World of Relativity " by an author I can't remember ( I think it's Andrew something). All three are quite awesome! I'm kinda reading all of them simultaneously so I'm not yet done but I definitely recommend them!

This summer I just did a week work experience with STFC at Daresbury Laboratory for "Accelerator Science", where they have three particle accelerator projects going right now, which only affirmed my interest in doing physics (my parents are trying to persuade me to do engineering).

AFAIK in regards to Oxbridge, extra curriculars aren't amazingly important, things like Work Experience can help as a way of showcasing your interest, but aren't the only way to do so, I would definitely recommend doing WE though, as its an enjoyable experience, spend enough time on google and you'll find plenty of opportunities, as long as you do it relatively early. (Can someone more experienced than me pls tell me if I'm wrong)

Nice to see so many physics applicants tho