[Chief Wiggum]

(Original post by josh9294)
Are the any particular differences with Caius admission process, since its a medical based college?

Also, I forgot to mention. I took an A level early, I thought this would be neutral, or positive - anything but negative. But it seems some universities actually look down on that, perhaps because you may have 'less work' to do over the A2 year or whatever reason.

Is this the same for Cambridge?

How many A Levels are you doing in your final year of school?

As long as it's 3, you should be absolutely fine. If it's 2, then that might be a problem, but I'm not knowledgeable about that at all.

[HermesTrismegistus]

These are bogus claims, of course, we all know the lowest grades ever accepted in Oxbridge are A*A*A*A*.

[No, really, congrats, that goes to show that potential and passion really are the decisive factors in Oxbridge admissions.]

[BatmanInDisguise]

Hi, dunno if anyone will see this now but i'm hoping to apply to oxford to study English this coming year, but i'm worried about my GCSE's. Basically...

I went to a Steiner School with an alternative curriculum which means i was only given the option to take 3 GCSE's - English, Maths and Art but no sciences etc. However i got 3 A*s for them and i've just got A*A*A*A for A-levels (plus a B at AS), so does anyone have any thoughts on whether they'd accept only 3 GCSE's??

[Marisa_Grace]

At my school those with Oxbridge offers had at least 8A*s or above, apart from one, who had 5A*s.

[Groat]

(Original post by Kidioteque)
Yeah, sorry -- I didn't make that completely clear: 'would an A at GCSE in the subject you're applying for at Oxbridge hamper you?' would probably have been a more concise way to phrase it Thanks a lot.

They probably won't even care about it. I can't imagine they look at GCSEs individually, but more as a cohort. If you get an A at AS-Level you'll be in a fine position.

(Original post by rdsnell)
I'm applying for Law at Oxford and I got AAAA at AS. I really want to drop English Language at A2, and leave myself with History, English Lit and Government and Politics. Do you think it would be ok to drop this subject, and leave myself more time to work on my EPQ and extra curriculars, or would Oxford view this as a "soft" option?

I'm sure that'd be fine. Language is considered to be softer than Literature.

[qwertyuiop1993]

(Original post by BatmanInDisguise)
Hi, dunno if anyone will see this now but i'm hoping to apply to oxford to study English this coming year, but i'm worried about my GCSE's. Basically...

I went to a Steiner School with an alternative curriculum which means i was only given the option to take 3 GCSE's - English, Maths and Art but no sciences etc. However i got 3 A*s for them and i've just got A*A*A*A for A-levels (plus a B at AS), so does anyone have any thoughts on whether they'd accept only 3 GCSE's??

Well I'd say your A level grades kind of make up for it - you more than exceed the standard offer and as long as you do well on the ELAT then you should get an interview.

You certainly have a chance - don't let your GCSEs hold you back! (And you could get your referee to explain the GCSE situation in your reference)

[Kidioteque]

(Original post by Groat)
They probably won't even care about it. I can't imagine they look at GCSEs individually, but more as a cohort. If you get an A at AS-Level you'll be in a fine position.

Cheers. As you know I'm looking to do Law but it was just a little hypothetical situation which was playing on my mind.

[Groat]

(Original post by Kidioteque)
Cheers. As you know I'm looking to do Law but it was just a little hypothetical situation which was playing on my mind.

I know exactly what you're going through. Before AS-Levels I was going through lots of situations in my head, but you won't really know your chances until you get this next year under your belt. Just keep working hard with that ultimate goal of Oxford in your mind. I worked so hard this year and revised endlessly and it paid off, just keep that motivation strong.

[Kidioteque]

(Original post by Groat)
I know exactly what you're going through. Before AS-Levels I was going through lots of situations in my head, but you won't really know your chances until you get this next year under your belt. Just keep working hard with that ultimate goal of Oxford in your mind. I worked so hard this year and revised endlessly and it paid off, just keep that motivation strong.

*Cambridge, of course.

But yeah, I'm going to work so hard this year — I think doing relatively well in my GCSEs without being particularly organised or disciplined has motivated me to do better next year too

I wish to emulate your results.

[Groat]

(Original post by Kidioteque)
*Cambridge, of course.

But yeah, I'm going to work so hard this year — I think doing relatively well in my GCSEs without being particularly organised or disciplined has motivated me to do better next year too

I wish to emulate your results.

Oh, good! I thought you were thinking of Oxford as you posted in this thread rather than the Cambridge equivalent.

Then your A at GCSE will definitely not be an issue as Cambridge take much more interest in AS-Levels and UMS.

I always worked hard at GCSEs but as soon as I had the goal of Cambridge in my head I worked incredibly hard, and worked smart. I didn't waste time revising poorly, etc and that's key to the success. Check out my revision log to see how much I did.

That's very kind of you.

[Insanity514]

(Original post by nexttime)
GCSEs are lower than average, but you'd stand a chance. You'd need a good (by oxford standard) BMAT to get an interview, and then it comes down to the interview to see if you get in.

Sorry to butt in but what kind of BMAT score is good by Oxford standard?

[Kidioteque]

(Original post by Groat)
Oh, good! I thought you were thinking of Oxford as you posted in this thread rather than the Cambridge equivalent.

Then your A at GCSE will definitely not be an issue as Cambridge take much more interest in AS-Levels and UMS.

I always worked hard at GCSEs but as soon as I had the goal of Cambridge in my head I worked incredibly hard, and worked smart. I didn't waste time revising poorly, etc and that's key to the success. Check out my revision log to see how much I did.

That's very kind of you.

Haha, you must start remembering that we talk about this quite often and hence I have seen your revision log many many times. In all seriousness, though, I'll attempt to do the same from now on, it seemed like a really useful way of keeping track of it all.

Oh and the reason I post here is because it seems better populated than the Cambridge equivalent; at least it was the last time I looked.

[Siena16]

Hi, I got my results last week and I got 8 A*s (English Lit, Maths, Bio, Chem, Physics, French, German and Geography, 1 A and 1 B. I hope to apply to OxBridge for Law, are these GCSEs okay? I have also already done Critical Thinking AS and got a Grade B. Next year I am studying AS French, German, Maths, Chemistry and Biology. Thanks

[Festina lente]

(Original post by Siena16)
Hi, I got my results last week and I got 8 A*s (English Lit, Maths, Bio, Chem, Physics, French, German and Geography, 1 A and 1 B. I hope to apply to OxBridge for Law, are these GCSEs okay? I have also already done Critical Thinking AS and got a Grade B. Next year I am studying AS French, German, Maths, Chemistry and Biology. Thanks

Of course!
You'll be wanting to put some thought into whether you want to go for Ox or Cam; the courses are pretty different.
You really don't need to do 5 ASs btw. I mean it's fine if you genuinely enjoy it, but do drop one if you are feeling under strain, AAAA is much better than lower grades over five ASs particularly for Cambridge who do like their UMS!

[nexttime]

(Original post by Insanity514)
Sorry to butt in but what kind of BMAT score is good by Oxford standard?

Average interviewee in 2010 had 66%, so about 6.0, 6.0, 3B (possibly a bit higher).

[The Topman]

Hi - having achieved 5As at AS Level (all at 90%+ UMS), I really want to apply for Oxbridge (which I have for some time). However, I got 7As and 4Bs at GCSE which worries me as most other application will presumably be applying with a string of A*s?

Do my AS results outweigh my GCSE results, or are my GCSE results simply not sufficient? And are AS results more or less important than GCSE?

Thanks!

[jameswhughes]

AS results are more important than GCSEs, but even if your GCSEs are lower than average among applicants, you should have a good chance with good predictions and AS grades like that. Either way, don't worry too much about your GCSEs now, they're done, and you can't resit any exams before you apply.

[The Mr Z]

(Original post by The Topman)
Hi - having achieved 5As at AS Level (all at 90%+ UMS), I really want to apply for Oxbridge (which I have for some time). However, I got 7As and 4Bs at GCSE which worries me as most other application will presumably be applying with a string of A*s?

Do my AS results outweigh my GCSE results, or are my GCSE results simply not sufficient? And are AS results more or less important than GCSE?

Thanks!

Oxford take GCSEs more into account and also don't request UMS marks, and those GCSEs are quite bellow what they expect, so you would probably struggle to get an interview.

Cambridge on the other hand take AS into account far more than GCSEs, and ask for UMS so will see that all of those are 90%+. You stand a hugely better chance of getting an offer from Cambridge. (and almost all applicants get an interview)

AS results are more important than GCSEs for both, but because Oxford don't know your UMS they don't outweigh GCSEs, whereas with Cambridge strong AS can completely outweigh GCSEs.

[dabest2500]

2 A*s, 4 As, 5 Bs and 1 C
Will be getting some remarks for RE (2 Marks off A*) and Thinking and Reasoning Skills (1 Mark off Distinction)
The A*s were in Maths and Biology.

[shoshin]

(Original post by The Topman)
Hi - having achieved 5As at AS Level (all at 90%+ UMS), I really want to apply for Oxbridge (which I have for some time). However, I got 7As and 4Bs at GCSE which worries me as most other application will presumably be applying with a string of A*s?

Do my AS results outweigh my GCSE results, or are my GCSE results simply not sufficient? And are AS results more or less important than GCSE?

Thanks!

You haven't mentioned the subject that you are interested in. Don't listen to any advice you get specifically about Oxford which comes from anyone who has not first asked you which subject you wish to study. There is a vast difference between, say, Medicine and, say, History when it comes to the role of GCSEs in the Oxford admissions process.