[da93]

(Original post by GStevens)
Forget what people are saying about wasting a year, it's irrelevant. The question to ask is whether you can improve your position enough to make Oxford want you. If you are just going to reapply with the same qualifications and a year of flipping burgers then it's pointless, a waste of yours and Oxford's time. If you can improve a result, add another useful string to your bow, then it might be worth a go. I would certainly have reapplied if I could have strengthened my application despite being a (cery) mature student with an unconditional from UCL.

There were several reapplicants when I was there, I have no idea how they got on.

My thoughts exactly: the average person lives 77 years In that context being set back one year doesn't seem such a big deal tbh.

[tooambitious]

(Original post by piya21)
As someone that applied to Oxford, was rejected, considered my other choices VERY seriously and ultimately decided to (successfully) reapply for a different (much more "me") course and a different (MUCH nicer) college, I would say go with your gut.

If you do decide to take a gap year, PLEASE plan it ahead of time - get it all organised ASAP, not post-exam results day, because otherwise there is a huge chance that you will spend months doing nothing.

The attitude you have towards internships and work experience placements is EXTREMELY optimistic, and you should definitely apply to them, but be prepared for the fact that there are thousands of people applying for the same schemes, and it isn't guaranteed that you will get one, never mind "a few."

However, I disagree with the people saying go to York and apply to Oxford - a productive gap year would be a far better way to spend your time.

Good luck!

May I ask which course/ college you applied fr the first time?

[impster]

I know a a fair few people (including myself) who reapplied to Oxbridge and I think all but one did get in (about 4/5) -though none were for PPE. This year you don't even have the fees to factor in and personally I'm glad I did it- I think regardless of where you end up, taking a year out gives you some time to think & grow - and puts Oxbridge rejection in perspective!
Having said that, if you're the kind of person who reckons that being rejected a second time will make you completely miserable and feel the years wasted, it's probably not worth it. There are so many other great unis out there -I set out thinking that if I was unsucessful a second time, I was still going to make the most of my year Reapplying has to be something you do along the way, not the main purpose of your year off, even if it was the reason you did it in the first place!

[da93]

(Original post by piya21)
As someone that applied to Oxford, was rejected, considered my other choices VERY seriously and ultimately decided to (successfully) reapply for a different (much more "me") course and a different (MUCH nicer) college, I would say go with your gut.

If you do decide to take a gap year, PLEASE plan it ahead of time - get it all organised ASAP, not post-exam results day, because otherwise there is a huge chance that you will spend months doing nothing.

The attitude you have towards internships and work experience placements is EXTREMELY optimistic, and you should definitely apply to them, but be prepared for the fact that there are thousands of people applying for the same schemes, and it isn't guaranteed that you will get one, never mind "a few."

However, I disagree with the people saying go to York and apply to Oxford - a productive gap year would be a far better way to spend your time.

Good luck!

I'll definitely research a productive gap year pre-results day. I'll discuss it with the pastoral people at my school (my GOD that will be a long conversation). Doing nothing next year would be a fate worse than death. A productive gap year would, I think, make my application stronger than if I just went to York and it'd be more fun but it is the high risk option. It's good to hear an encouraging story like this. Thanks! And I think I will apply to a different college next year if I do reapply.

[piya21]

(Original post by tooambitious)
May I ask which course/ college you applied fr the first time?

It was History and Politics, at Queen's. Looking back, even I wouldn't have accepted me!

It was actually while I was down at interviews then that I
a) saw Worcester and fell immediately in love, and
b) met someone applying for my current course, and the twinge of jealousy when I heard their subject was what made me realise that I had applied to the wrong course.

Way more info than you asked for, sorry!

[tooambitious]

(Original post by piya21)
It was History and Politics, at Queen's. Looking back, even I wouldn't have accepted me!

It was actually while I was down at interviews then that I
a) saw Worcester and fell immediately in love, and
b) met someone applying for my current course, and the twinge of jealousy when I heard their subject was what made me realise that I had applied to the wrong course.

Way more info than you asked for, sorry!

Don't apologise! At least everything righted itself

[anonymousaudit]

(Original post by da93)
Sorry, that sounded snobby, I didn't mean to demean it if that's what you do. It just wouldn't help a PPE application is what I was trying to say.

It would help job applications, though...I managed to get an amazing job and I spoke of past work experiences/responsibilities gained/achievements in my role working in a council call centre throughout university. Guarantee you they'd rather hire some one with work experience at a 'bad' job like a supermarket or call centre than some one who spent their summers travelling. Which candidate has acquired a greater skill set...?

[da93]

(Original post by piya21)
The attitude you have towards internships and work experience placements is EXTREMELY optimistic

You're right of course. My tactic is to apply for loads in the hope of being accepted by one or two, I know this is a tactic that has worked for some people applying for real jobs in a competitive sector: take whatever's going and get rejected for most things. I can't claim to have a crystal ball that tells me how many I'm likely to get though. What did you do when you were reapplying?

[Monkeysuit.]

Reapply. Do what will make you happy. It's your life, live it the way you want. I'm not saying you'll get in, but if you don't try then you'll never know.

[Lord of the Flies]

(Original post by da93)
I had no idea you could do this. If this is right it would seem the obvious option

It is right, I have done it.

[MisanthropicLemon]

York is a collegiate university, just to clarify

[Speckle]

How good a social life is not dependent on where you are or what the system is. It's entirely based on how you are and the people you're with hence the word SOCIAL. Anywhere you go you'll meet great people who fit with you. In my opinion go to a university for its academics; the social aspect comes naturally.

[da93]

(Original post by Speckle)
How good a social life is not dependent on where you are or what the system is. It's entirely based on how you are and the people you're with hence the word SOCIAL. Anywhere you go you'll meet great people who fit with you. In my opinion go to a university for its academics; the social aspect comes naturally.

You're right, it's just a personal preference for a small-ish community I'm on about

[Alexandra's Box]

(Original post by da93)
Sorry, that sounded snobby, I didn't mean to demean it if that's what you do. It just wouldn't help a PPE application is what I was trying to say.

Don't worry, that's cool

[Az_016]

(Original post by piya21)
As someone that applied to Oxford, was rejected, considered my other choices VERY seriously and ultimately decided to (successfully) reapply for a different (much more "me") course and a different (MUCH nicer) college, I would say go with your gut.

If you do decide to take a gap year, PLEASE plan it ahead of time - get it all organised ASAP, not post-exam results day, because otherwise there is a huge chance that you will spend months doing nothing.

The attitude you have towards internships and work experience placements is EXTREMELY optimistic, and you should definitely apply to them, but be prepared for the fact that there are thousands of people applying for the same schemes, and it isn't guaranteed that you will get one, never mind "a few."

However, I disagree with the people saying go to York and apply to Oxford - a productive gap year would be a far better way to spend your time.

Good luck!

What did you apply for second time round?

[Azland]

(Original post by MisanthropicLemon)
York is a collegiate university, just to clarify

This should be the end of the thread.

[parentlurker]

I don't believe Oxford publish information on reapplicants. My suspicion is that they do better because they have greater maturity and proven ability at A level. However there are certainly still a lot who are rejected. If you must do this choose a different college and opt for those that say they like a gap year.

If you are interviewed they will certainly expect you to be having a productive gap year, you need to be applying now for those posts you think would help. However any job promotes maturity.

If you were my child I'd say go to York. It's a campus type university and they are very sociable. Reapply while at university if you want but by the time it gets to interview you may well have such good friends that you will see Oxford more clearly. The fact that you haven't chased feedback from January suggests to me that you might not do better a second time round. Oxford recruits those who are confident, articulate and can bull****, not necessarily the most intelligent. Take a close look at the admissions figures and you'll see that they reject many people with all A* grades at A level in favour of those with lower qualifications. Of course those selected will argue they have more latent potential, they would say that.

[Meat is Murder]

I applied to university for the academic year starting Sep 2011 and got offers from several universities. I had second thoughts about the uni's I had chosen and decided to take another A level and apply for the following year.

Now I am going to a uni that is miles ahead of the one I would have gone to if I hadn't sucked it up and made what was at the time a very difficult decision. Now that September 2012 is nearly here, the decision and the pain of waiting a whole year is irrelevant.

Best decision I ever made was to reapply with an eye on bettering the institution that would shape my professional life.

To focus on the OP, one must remember Oxbridge > everyone else. I would do anything to get into the Oxford but everyone's upbringing is different and that's not how it has worked out for me. If you have the chance to get in, which it sounds like you do, then go for it - reapply next year. As good as York is, it is not Oxford, and if they offered you a place this year then they would probably give you an offer next year.

It sounds like you've made your decision anyway so good luck for next year.

[thenumber2goose]

Hi, I know this thread is old now but did any of you succeed in applying/reapplying?
Were you asked about it at interview?

[Magickal]

I know somebody who had offers for History but had been rejected from Oxford so he reapplied but then some of his unis rejected him on his second application and so did Oxford unfortunately.