[Pandora.]

(Original post by shoshin)
Not a serious disadvantage at all. The History Aptitude Test is the main criterion for interview selection. Good luck

(Original post by Festina lente)
I would have thought that a good result in the HAT admissions test would outweigh it perfectly well You'll have AS results as well by that time too, to show development from GCSE. Try not to stress!

Thank you both of you, I completely forgot about the aptitude test! You've put my mind at rest.

[Dalek1099]

(Original post by Pandora.)
I know this is a really annoying question, but would an A in GCSE History put me at a disadvantage if i was to apply for History or History & English? I was aiming for an A* but a disastrous module result has put that out of the window. It's only too late that I've realized that History is one of the things that I love most in the world, and it's really upsetting me to think that I've put myself at a disadvantage for my dream course (sorry for the cliché).

I know all of the things that people say about what puts you in the best place for an offer (strong GCSEs, strong AS levels, PS, interviews etc) so I'm not saying that its the end of the world. Hell, I might have even changed my mind in a year's time! I'm just hoping that someone could help me set the record straight so that I'm not working myself up about it - which I often do about things like this, to an unhealthy point.

Thanks (even if your reply is going to tell me I need to grow up! )

You have got to think though-Are you sure History is for you if your only getting an A in it,if you getting or probably going to get an A* in other subjects,they may suit you more because a disastrous result could happen at A-Level and my brother got an A* at GCSE(97%) and only got a C at AS,because it is a lot of work and is a very tough A-Level.However,he ended up with a B in the A-Level.

[tooambitious]

(Original post by Dalek1099)
You have got to think though-Are you sure History is for you if your only getting an A in it,if you getting or probably going to get an A* in other subjects,they may suit you more because a disastrous result could happen at A-Level and my brother got an A* at GCSE(97%) and only got a C at AS,because it is a lot of work and is a very tough A-Level.However,he ended up with a B in the A-Level.

she said she just had one disastrous module, if history is what shes passionate about she should go for it

[knowledgecorruptz]

(Original post by Poppyxx)
I did Economics, Maths, History and German

I don't think I was disadvantaged with my PS... I wrote it for PPE and got offers from everywhere except one of my PPE choices. So clearly it wasn't a problem. I think universities are aware that not everyone applies to identical courses at every university, especially when not all that many offer a course (as is the case with PPE). As long as you're not applying for Medicine at 3 and PPE at 2 it really shouldn't be too much of a problem - slight variances are unavoidable in a fair number of cases.

As your UCAS form will arrive before the Oxbridge deadline at all your choices, they'll know it's more than likely you've applied to Oxbridge and hence have probably written the PS with that course in mind. Whether they take offence at that - not in my case, but perhaps others have had a different experience. As an aside I have a friend who wrote "I want to study History at Oxford..." in the opening line of his PS (perhaps slightly more eloquently, but definitely referred to Oxford) and still got 3 other offers.

In my experience most universities have set modules in the first year - with perhaps outside options being the only choice you have (no outside options at Oxford). They need to set a good groundwork, since everyone will have a different level of knowledge. PPE first year is a broad introduction to the 3 disciplines - but I wouldn't say it feels restrictive. Within each I felt there's enough breadth to find the areas which interest you more. For example in Politics you do political philosophy (e.g. Mill / Marx) and study politics of democracies (e.g. US/UK/France). In your first year exams you need to answer 4 questions with at least one question from each area. So I did 1 on Marx and 3 on democracies because that's the weighting I preferred and knew that throughout the year.

Ah right, thanks. I prefer political philosophy and I was a little worried that I'd be "forced" into studying political structures. Can you specialise away from politics in your second and third years? I heard you can drop it completely?

I reckon I'd apply for:

Philosophy and Eco - LSE
" " - UCL
Business Eco and Philosophy - Exeter (flexi combined)
PPE - Oxbridge
PPE - York

What do you think? I've heard some horror stories about Warwick, so I think I'll stay away. What's up with that place? Does anyone get in?

I do Economics, Geography, Maths, Further Maths. Do you think you could recommend me some books to read? I've read some introductory books so far (to Philosophy/ Political Philosophy): Think by Blackburn, On Liberty by Mill and Philosophy by Nicholas Fearn. Thanks

[Poppyxx]

(Original post by knowledgecorruptz)
Ah right, thanks. I prefer political philosophy and I was a little worried that I'd be "forced" into studying political structures. Can you specialise away from politics in your second and third years? I heard you can drop it completely?

I reckon I'd apply for:

Philosophy and Eco - LSE
" " - UCL
Business Eco and Philosophy - Exeter (flexi combined)
PPE - Oxbridge
PPE - York

What do you think? I've heard some horror stories about Warwick, so I think I'll stay away. What's up with that place? Does anyone get in?

I do Economics, Geography, Maths, Further Maths. Do you think you could recommend me some books to read? I've read some introductory books so far (to Philosophy/ Political Philosophy): Think by Blackburn, On Liberty by Mill and Philosophy by Nicholas Fearn. Thanks

You can, and are encouraged to, drop one subject at the end of your first year. I dropped Economics. Tripartite PPEists (those who do all 3) are rare because it really restricts the depth of each subject that you can achieve.

By the time you get to 2nd year you could weight your Politics options very heavily in favour of political philosophy anyway (e.g. taking Theory of Politics, Political Thought: Plato to Rousseau / Bentham to Weber etc).

Or drop it altogether!

Looks like you've got a good spread of uni choices there. I have no idea what the issue is with Warwick - out of the 7 PPEists in my year in my college, 3 of us applied to Warwick and we all got rejected... Within a month of receiving our Oxford offers as well. Presumably some people get in but they just seem to be looking for a different sort of candidate...

I didn't apply to York because you have to do all 3 subjects for all 3 years, which didn't appeal to me. This may have changed since I was applying, but they were very proud of being the only (I think) university to offer a 'true' PPE degree.

You've picked some good books to read so far. There's another book called 'An Introduction to Political Philosophy' which is good as well, but a lot of applicants read it. The key is to read stuff that engages you with the subjects - don't read Plato's Republic if you can't stand it, find something else. You are incredibly unlikely to be asked about the books you said you read (if you list some in your PS) in the interview, but obviously those books and what else you read can help you in the interview. What helped me was having a really good grasp of concepts like democracy, socialism, communism... But that was just the direction my interview took. I couldn't have predicted that. At the time of my application I was focussed on globalisation for another reason, so my reading took me in that direction (Globalisation and its Discontents - Stiglitz. Why Globalisation Works - Wolf).

Did anything come up on that in my interview? No. But it helped me frame my PS - I spoke about the link between Politics and Economics through it. Some interviewers will use the books/areas you mention in your PS as a launchpad, others (as in my case) will ignore it and just ask what they want to ask.

Bookwise - don't mention you've read Freakonomics in your PS. My Econ tutor said he'd shred the next PS he read that mentioned that book... I think he was joking, but the point is it's a good book but too many people mention it and it's not going to help a whole lot in your interview.

Sorry this post is long - but one final thought is that what helped me most with the Economic aspect of preparing was preparation I did with other people at school, not what I read really. Our teacher set one of us a topic to explore each week, and we had to do a presentation on it to the rest of the group. Most was over and above the A Level syllabus, or taking something on the A Level Syllabus to the next level.

[Dalek1099]

(Original post by knowledgecorruptz)
Ah right, thanks. I prefer political philosophy and I was a little worried that I'd be "forced" into studying political structures. Can you specialise away from politics in your second and third years? I heard you can drop it completely?

I reckon I'd apply for:

Philosophy and Eco - LSE
" " - UCL
Business Eco and Philosophy - Exeter (flexi combined)
PPE - Oxbridge
PPE - York

What do you think? I've heard some horror stories about Warwick, so I think I'll stay away. What's up with that place? Does anyone get in?

I do Economics, Geography, Maths, Further Maths. Do you think you could recommend me some books to read? I've read some introductory books so far (to Philosophy/ Political Philosophy): Think by Blackburn, On Liberty by Mill and Philosophy by Nicholas Fearn. Thanks

I was thinking of doing a similar A-Level combination,How were the A-Levels,compared to GCSE?and Why are you going for Philosophy?-I was thinking of doing Accounting/Maths with that combination but I was planning Business instead of Economics.

[Lily Academia]

(Original post by Pandora.)
I know this is a really annoying question, but would an A in GCSE History put me at a disadvantage if i was to apply for History or History & English? I was aiming for an A* but a disastrous module result has put that out of the window. It's only too late that I've realized that History is one of the things that I love most in the world, and it's really upsetting me to think that I've put myself at a disadvantage for my dream course (sorry for the cliché).

I know all of the things that people say about what puts you in the best place for an offer (strong GCSEs, strong AS levels, PS, interviews etc) so I'm not saying that its the end of the world. Hell, I might have even changed my mind in a year's time! I'm just hoping that someone could help me set the record straight so that I'm not working myself up about it - which I often do about things like this, to an unhealthy point.

Thanks (even if your reply is going to tell me I need to grow up! )

I wouldn't let it phase you; as others have said the HAT's the main interview-clincher. A few people from my school (none with above 7A*s) got interviews at Oxford and were told on feedback that was largely due to performance at AS and HAT scores.

Besides, getting an A is not worth stressing over; it's still a great grade. My senses tell me that you did Edexcel? ()

Spoiler:

Show

I think I can remember panicking about that exam to you. I got an A in History overall, 1 off an A*, and that was down to a module grade in year 10 pulling my average down. It bugged me at first but GCSEs really are not the best reflection of your ability and character - if you want to do History, no doubt that passion will come across.

Besides, getting an A or two? Proves we're human

[Dalek1099]

(Original post by Lily Academia)
I wouldn't let it phase you; as others have said the HAT's the main interview-clincher. A few people from my school (none with above 7A*s) got interviews at Oxford and were told on feedback that was largely due to performance at AS and HAT scores.

Besides, getting an A is not worth stressing over; it's still a great grade. My senses tell me that you did Edexcel? ()

Spoiler:

Show

I think I can remember panicking about that exam to you. I got an A in History overall, 1 off an A*, and that was down to a module grade in year 10 pulling my average down. It bugged me at first but GCSEs really are not the best reflection of your ability and character - if you want to do History, no doubt that passion will come across.

Besides, getting an A or two? Proves we're human

I want to be an Android and get 13A* and 3As(My predictions+my grade A already achieved)-doubt its going to happen with the sciences only at B grade at the moment.Don't do History if your getting A*s elsewere if you mess up a module then that shows you do not have the full depth of knowledge shown in other subjects but if you are only getting As in your other subjects-go for itHistory is a very tough A-level,my brother got 97%(A*) for GCSE and a B at A-Level.

[tooambitious]

(Original post by Dalek1099)
I want to be an Android and get 13A* and 3As(My predictions+my grade A already achieved)-doubt its going to happen with the sciences only at B grade at the moment.Don't do History if your getting A*s elsewere if you mess up a module then that shows you do not have the full depth of knowledge shown in other subjects but if you are only getting As in your other subjects-go for itHistory is a very tough A-level,my brother got 97%(A*) for GCSE and a B at A-Level.

wrong, i did GCSE histry and thats just not the case, its a lot about technique and less about knowledge, yes A-level history is hard but if Pandora is really interested she dhould go for it, although having said that some othe universities will penalise you for not having an A* at GCSE

[Pandora.]

(Original post by Lily Academia)
I wouldn't let it phase you; as others have said the HAT's the main interview-clincher. A few people from my school (none with above 7A*s) got interviews at Oxford and were told on feedback that was largely due to performance at AS and HAT scores.
Besides, getting an A is not worth stressing over; it's still a great grade. My senses tell me that you did Edexcel? ()

Spoiler:

Show

I think I can remember panicking about that exam to you. I got an A in History overall, 1 off an A*, and that was down to a module grade in year 10 pulling my average down. It bugged me at first but GCSEs really are not the best reflection of your ability and character - if you want to do History, no doubt that passion will come across.

Besides, getting an A or two? Proves we're human

Thanks! Yes, it's Edexcel - was it the sources exam you were panicking over?
I know what you mean - hopefully in 2-3 years I'll have forgotten about about GCSE!

(Original post by tooambitious)
wrong, i did GCSE histry and thats just not the case, its a lot about technique and less about knowledge, yes A-level history is hard but if Pandora is really interested she dhould go for it, although having said that some othe universities will penalise you for not having an A* at GCSE

Yeah, a lot of it is about technique which really puts me off the subject at GCSE level.

The bolded part - do you know which universities are like this?

[tooambitious]

(Original post by Pandora.)

The bolded part - do you know which universities are like this?

i think UCL, maybe LSE, the universities that are typically hardcre with GCSEs unfortunately , but even then, with a strong overall application i cant imagine its that important, so dont worry too much

[knowledgecorruptz]

(Original post by Dalek1099)
I was thinking of doing a similar A-Level combination,How were the A-Levels,compared to GCSE?and Why are you going for Philosophy?-I was thinking of doing Accounting/Maths with that combination but I was planning Business instead of Economics.

Haha, I get that question a lot. Philosophy's just...amazing! Debating issues, applying critical thought, learning about new ideas and approaches. Trust me, there's so much more to philosophy than most preconceive. It's not all pretentious expatiation and impenetrable ramblings; when you get to the heart of it, Philosophy has a lot to offer.

But I was originally planning on studying straight Economics at university - most probably for the same reason you have chosen your career path: money. But I soon realised that, banal as it may sound, money isn't everything. You're going to spend three whole years at university (and then the rest of your life in a related field!) so choose a subject you enjoy! Well, that's my opinion, anyway.

In terms of difficulty, A-Level are of course a little tougher than GCSEs, but it's nothing like what your teachers have most likely been telling you. Geography's pretty much the same as it is at GCSE. Economics Unit 1 is very easy, it's all about exam technique. Unit 2, I have no idea. I missed A LOT of lessons this year so I'll be teaching myself , probably starting this week. Further Maths is no way near as hard as people make out (especially not at AS). If you can pick up new concepts quickly, you'll have no trouble with AS Further Maths. A2 gets a lot trickier, I hear, though - so perhaps you should bear that in mind. Looking at the work most of my friends are doing, it appears I have a very light workload with my subjects. I'd definitely recommend them, but I'd suggest taking a fifth A-Level with them or finding yourself some serious extra-currics (like I did).

Hope that was of some use.

[knowledgecorruptz]

(Original post by Poppyxx)
You can, and are encouraged to, drop one subject at the end of your first year. I dropped Economics. Tripartite PPEists (those who do all 3) are rare because it really restricts the depth of each subject that you can achieve.

By the time you get to 2nd year you could weight your Politics options very heavily in favour of political philosophy anyway (e.g. taking Theory of Politics, Political Thought: Plato to Rousseau / Bentham to Weber etc).

Or drop it altogether!

Looks like you've got a good spread of uni choices there. I have no idea what the issue is with Warwick - out of the 7 PPEists in my year in my college, 3 of us applied to Warwick and we all got rejected... Within a month of receiving our Oxford offers as well. Presumably some people get in but they just seem to be looking for a different sort of candidate...

I didn't apply to York because you have to do all 3 subjects for all 3 years, which didn't appeal to me. This may have changed since I was applying, but they were very proud of being the only (I think) university to offer a 'true' PPE degree.

You've picked some good books to read so far. There's another book called 'An Introduction to Political Philosophy' which is good as well, but a lot of applicants read it. The key is to read stuff that engages you with the subjects - don't read Plato's Republic if you can't stand it, find something else. You are incredibly unlikely to be asked about the books you said you read (if you list some in your PS) in the interview, but obviously those books and what else you read can help you in the interview. What helped me was having a really good grasp of concepts like democracy, socialism, communism... But that was just the direction my interview took. I couldn't have predicted that. At the time of my application I was focussed on globalisation for another reason, so my reading took me in that direction (Globalisation and its Discontents - Stiglitz. Why Globalisation Works - Wolf).

Did anything come up on that in my interview? No. But it helped me frame my PS - I spoke about the link between Politics and Economics through it. Some interviewers will use the books/areas you mention in your PS as a launchpad, others (as in my case) will ignore it and just ask what they want to ask.

Bookwise - don't mention you've read Freakonomics in your PS. My Econ tutor said he'd shred the next PS he read that mentioned that book... I think he was joking, but the point is it's a good book but too many people mention it and it's not going to help a whole lot in your interview.

Sorry this post is long - but one final thought is that what helped me most with the Economic aspect of preparing was preparation I did with other people at school, not what I read really. Our teacher set one of us a topic to explore each week, and we had to do a presentation on it to the rest of the group. Most was over and above the A Level syllabus, or taking something on the A Level Syllabus to the next level.

No need to apologise, I really appreciate the info. The course structure sounds really good, actually. I thought it was the norm for students to carry on with all three - guess not. I wasn't aware of York's course structure, thanks for informing me. I might switch it out for P&E at Bristol? What do you think? Or perhaps PPE at Durham?

Yeah, I'm planning on reading that Stiglitz book as well. I picked it up ages ago but never got round to reading it. I reckon I could tie that in with doing geography. My economics teacher suggested I teach myself basic dialectic too, using a book by Guttenplan (if I remember correctly). I'm also thinking of reading Scruton's Dictionary of Political Thought.

One thing I'm a little worried about is current affairs. I read (well, skim through) the economist, would this be enough? Or do I have to go into more detail? My friend said that they asked him about Danish politics but that they were more interested in testing his application of critical thought, rather than what he actually knew about Scandinavian governments. And from your last point about the economics presentations, I'm guessing you feel the same; that they're after the "thinking process".

Oh, and did you include any extra-curricular activities on your PS? I've got quite a few I'd like to boast about but they're not entirely relevant. I was thinking of using them to show good time-management skills or something?

[Eddyward]

What are my chances for law?
I'm in the IB and I take English, Psychology and Geography HL (Geography top mark distinction)
Mandarin, Biology and Math SL
I should get predicted 677 for my HL's (same order) and 755 SL with possibly 2-3 bonus.
I don't have GCSE's as I am international, from Canada.
However, I have work experience at an international law firm and a big four accounting firm. I also have an extensive volunteer and sports background.

I'm mostly worried about my lack of GCSE's. :/
Thanks in advance

[Festina lente]

(Original post by Eddyward)
What are my chances for law?
I'm in the IB and I take English, Psychology and Geography HL (Geography top mark distinction)
Mandarin, Biology and Math SL
I should get predicted 677 for my HL's (same order) and 755 SL with possibly 2-3 bonus.
I don't have GCSE's as I am international, from Canada.
However, I have work experience at an international law firm and a big four accounting firm. I also have an extensive volunteer and sports background.

I'm mostly worried about my lack of GCSE's. :/
Thanks in advance

Hello

Don't worry about not having GCSEs per se - you just put down on the form whatever your equivalent is in Canada for exams taken before the IB. The tutors have information on these to help them compare against students applying with GCSEs and other international equivalents. It may be worth asking the teacher doing your reference to include some comment on your marks, for example by indicating how you did in comparison to the rest of your year.

The work experience is good material for your PS. Oxford won't really be bothered about your volunteering/sports although if you are applying to other English universities they might be, in which case it is worth a short mention in your PS if you have room.

Don't forget the LNAT

[Dalek1099]

(Original post by knowledgecorruptz)
Haha, I get that question a lot. Philosophy's just...amazing! Debating issues, applying critical thought, learning about new ideas and approaches. Trust me, there's so much more to philosophy than most preconceive. It's not all pretentious expatiation and impenetrable ramblings; when you get to the heart of it, Philosophy has a lot to offer.

But I was originally planning on studying straight Economics at university - most probably for the same reason you have chosen your career path: money. But I soon realised that, banal as it may sound, money isn't everything. You're going to spend three whole years at university (and then the rest of your life in a related field!) so choose a subject you enjoy! Well, that's my opinion, anyway.

In terms of difficulty, A-Level are of course a little tougher than GCSEs, but it's nothing like what your teachers have most likely been telling you. Geography's pretty much the same as it is at GCSE. Economics Unit 1 is very easy, it's all about exam technique. Unit 2, I have no idea. I missed A LOT of lessons this year so I'll be teaching myself , probably starting this week. Further Maths is no way near as hard as people make out (especially not at AS). If you can pick up new concepts quickly, you'll have no trouble with AS Further Maths. A2 gets a lot trickier, I hear, though - so perhaps you should bear that in mind. Looking at the work most of my friends are doing, it appears I have a very light workload with my subjects. I'd definitely recommend them, but I'd suggest taking a fifth A-Level with them or finding yourself some serious extra-currics (like I did).

Hope that was of some use.

I thought you would need to take subjects more linked to Philosophy to get in a university Philosophy course because none of your subjects are very close to Philosophy and Maths is an enjoyable career path

[hockeyjoe]

(Original post by Dalek1099)
You have got to think though-Are you sure History is for you if your only getting an A in it,if you getting or probably going to get an A* in other subjects,they may suit you more because a disastrous result could happen at A-Level and my brother got an A* at GCSE(97%) and only got a C at AS,because it is a lot of work and is a very tough A-Level.However,he ended up with a B in the A-Level.

you do talk some absolute rubbish, do you know that?

[hockeyjoe]

(Original post by knowledgecorruptz)
Ah right, thanks. I prefer political philosophy and I was a little worried that I'd be "forced" into studying political structures. Can you specialise away from politics in your second and third years? I heard you can drop it completely?

I reckon I'd apply for:

Philosophy and Eco - LSE
" " - UCL
Business Eco and Philosophy - Exeter (flexi combined)
PPE - Oxbridge
PPE - York

What do you think? I've heard some horror stories about Warwick, so I think I'll stay away. What's up with that place? Does anyone get in?

I do Economics, Geography, Maths, Further Maths. Do you think you could recommend me some books to read? I've read some introductory books so far (to Philosophy/ Political Philosophy): Think by Blackburn, On Liberty by Mill and Philosophy by Nicholas Fearn. Thanks

If you ever want any advice, message me.

[tooambitious]

(Original post by hockeyjoe)
you do talk some absolute rubbish, do you know that?

you are not the only one to have noticed this!

[Poppyxx]

(Original post by hockeyjoe)
you do talk some absolute rubbish, do you know that?

So true. There's enough rubbish spouted on the Oxford forum as it is, but this is rubbish of a whole new level.

(Original post by Dalek1099)
X

I'm getting tired of your 'advice'.

Are you at Oxford? Have you applied to Oxford?

No.

You haven't given any sound advice at all.

All your stuff about History is based on ONE person's experience. Perhaps your brother just didn't work hard enough at AS, thinking it'd go fine because of his GCSE. Maybe he couldn't cope with the subject beyond how it was taught at A Level. This does not mean you should be advising someone to change university path because they are 'only' predicted an A at GCSE. So much will change between now and when she applies.

History is not a very tough A Level. I dropped a one UMS in the whole of my History A Level and I didn't even do it for GCSE. Just because that girl is predicted an A now doesn't mean she won't score highly at A Level. She may be more suited to the A Level course. Her writing style will probably mature and if she's genuinely passionate about studying History at uni this is bound to show through in her A Level studies.

Those of us at Oxford/with offers spend so long having to clear up mistakes, rumours etc on these boards. At times I'm sure we make errors, but we tend to preface our answers with 'in my experience' or similar. Or "I might be wrong, but I think...". Every time a poor piece of advice is given, it has the potential to stop someone from giving Oxford a shot. Obviously one opinion shouldn't put someone off, but it plants seeds of doubt.

No one (unless there are any tutors lurking on here) can categorically say what Oxford want which is why you have to be very careful with the advice you give.