[sophieelis]

Hey guys, i'm looking for advice and consolation here.
Last year I was heavily discouraged from applying to Oxbridge because I hadn't been one of the pupils having expressed a keen interest to apply there since an early age. GCSEs-wise I got all A's, a B and 3 A*, which okay is a little on the low side from what I hear but i've always excelled at languages because they have just come naturally to me.

I got A*A*B at A level in French, Spanish and english Lit but i'm wondering whether I should have applied for Oxbridge at the time. I guess I felt like I didn't want to be surrounded by people who were better than me in my subjects, and I was worried that i'd feel uncomfortable and out of my depth, being surrounded by so many intelligent people. Yet the same time, the opportunity to go to the one of the top institutions was swaying me.

When I looked at the course modules in detail, I was slightly put off by the amount of literature involved in the degree at both Oxford and Cambridge but I understand that at Cambridge you can specialise more in the linguists side of things.

In the end I settled for the University of Southampton, which is a good university but did I make a mistake? Has anyone else been in a similar position to me? Oxbridge would have been far better for job prospects and I feel like I made a mistake based on the fact that I could have got in and worked to develop my full potential (sorry if this sounds arrogant, it's really not meant to be).

[grovichik]

(Original post by sophieelis)
I guess I felt like I didn't want to be surrounded by people who were better than me in my subjects, and I was worried that i'd feel uncomfortable and out of my depth, being surrounded by so many intelligent people.

When I looked at the course modules in detail, I was slightly put off by the amount of literature involved in the degree at both Oxford and Cambridge but I understand that at Cambridge you can specialise more in the linguists side of things.

You have 2 very good reasons not to go to Oxbridge.

There will be people who are better than you there and the rest will probably be as good as you. If you wouldn't like this, then definitely not the place for you.

Secondly, if you worried that the course wasn't quite right that's another good reason. You have to love the course 100% because it's very hard work and unless you're really into it, you could end up being v unhappy!

I think you'll love Southampton!

xx

[Hypocrism]

I think that liking the course is much more important than going to one of the big name universities.

[Noodlzzz]

(Original post by sophieelis)
Hey guys, i'm looking for advice and consolation here.
Last year I was heavily discouraged from applying to Oxbridge because I hadn't been one of the pupils having expressed a keen interest to apply there since an early age. GCSEs-wise I got all A's, a B and 3 A*, which okay is a little on the low side from what I hear but i've always excelled at languages because they have just come naturally to me.

I got A*A*B at A level in French, Spanish and english Lit but i'm wondering whether I should have applied for Oxbridge at the time. I guess I felt like I didn't want to be surrounded by people who were better than me in my subjects, and I was worried that i'd feel uncomfortable and out of my depth, being surrounded by so many intelligent people. Yet the same time, the opportunity to go to the one of the top institutions was swaying me.

When I looked at the course modules in detail, I was slightly put off by the amount of literature involved in the degree at both Oxford and Cambridge but I understand that at Cambridge you can specialise more in the linguists side of things.

In the end I settled for the University of Southampton, which is a good university but did I make a mistake? Has anyone else been in a similar position to me? Oxbridge would have been far better for job prospects and I feel like I made a mistake based on the fact that I could have got in and worked to develop my full potential (sorry if this sounds arrogant, it's really not meant to be).

I'm not sure either would have let you in with A*A*B as there standard offer is A*AA/AAA. But if this is something you feel like you've missed out on, however, post-graduate is an option.

[tibbles209]

If you think that you would be happier at Southampton, and you are just considering Oxbridge because of the prestige then I think you've made the right decision. Bear in mind that you will be spending at least 3 years of your life there - years that you will never get back, so it is important that you go somewhere you will be happy. If you are happier and the course suits you better, you are more likely to excel anyway. Good luck!

[ABaruwal]

I agree with "Noodlzzz". As Oxbridge being Oxbridge, competition would be really high and with the grades you may not have got in.

Why not take this as a reason for being happy with your current choice and stop regretting.
Also same with the course content, if you don't like it then the chances are you wouldn't do as well as you could.

Finally, Southampton is a great uni and is amongst the top; so don't worry about it, social aspect is also really good (IMO better than of Oxbridge)

[Faustus Fotherby]

In other news I believe you should definitely pick the university and the course that sounds right for you, just as long as you're happy it doesn't matter where you go and if you enjoy the atmosphere more then you're more likely to do better and it'll be all good in the long run

[Chief Wiggum]

(Original post by sophieelis)
Hey guys, i'm looking for advice and consolation here.
Last year I was heavily discouraged from applying to Oxbridge because I hadn't been one of the pupils having expressed a keen interest to apply there since an early age. GCSEs-wise I got all A's, a B and 3 A*, which okay is a little on the low side from what I hear but i've always excelled at languages because they have just come naturally to me.

I got A*A*B at A level in French, Spanish and english Lit but i'm wondering whether I should have applied for Oxbridge at the time. I guess I felt like I didn't want to be surrounded by people who were better than me in my subjects, and I was worried that i'd feel uncomfortable and out of my depth, being surrounded by so many intelligent people. Yet the same time, the opportunity to go to the one of the top institutions was swaying me.

When I looked at the course modules in detail, I was slightly put off by the amount of literature involved in the degree at both Oxford and Cambridge but I understand that at Cambridge you can specialise more in the linguists side of things.

In the end I settled for the University of Southampton, which is a good university but did I make a mistake? Has anyone else been in a similar position to me? Oxbridge would have been far better for job prospects and I feel like I made a mistake based on the fact that I could have got in and worked to develop my full potential (sorry if this sounds arrogant, it's really not meant to be).

Well the standard offer is A*AA, so I'm not sure if you could have got in with A*A*B anyway.

Also, yeah, it is pretty demoralising being surrounded by so many intelligent people there, so I wouldn't worry about it too much!

[RK92]

A*AA is generally the lowest offer they make and i know that people who get A*A*B even when theyve had an offer are by no means guaranteed to be allowed in..

[Schoolio93]

(Original post by RK92)
A*AA is generally the lowest offer they make and i know that people who get A*A*B even when theyve had an offer are by no means guaranteed to be allowed in..

yup you are right! A*AA is the lowest offer, as some people get offers with A*A*AA. However there is a slight chance that with A*A*B someone might be able to get in as some may suggest that A*A*B is the same as A*AA. My friend had an A*AA offer but still got enrolled with AAA but he missed an A* by couple of UMS so that's why he might have been accepted.

[sophieelis]

I was 8 points away from getting an A in english but thanks for your responses guys, I feel a bit better about it now