[fluteflute]

(Original post by Octohedral)
You'd be very lucky to get an offer with less than 4 As at AS, without exenuating circumstances, due to the sheer number of candidates they get with those grades and better.

Really? This surprises me. I may be wrong though, OP

You're wrong. It does happen more often than you think

But of course it's true that most will have three or more A grades at AS

[fluteflute]

(Original post by CurtisDean)
hey, what facebook group is it?

Probably https://www.facebook.com/groups/oxford2012entry/

[Lizzy12]

(Original post by Maixiu)
Ah okay. I'm basically asking because I've just been doing my AS exams and I'm a bit worried about quite a few of them which is pretty dire :P Comp2 was cruel; I felt horrible coming out of my Spanish written exam; my Chinese speaking was embarrassing and to top it off I have Core 3 maths on Thursday

Hope not or you missed it (last Thursday!).

Hope you just meant Core 4 (the one that has got a new exam paper being issued ready for next Thursday, due to an issue in Egypt as mentioned on the BBC website).

[fluteflute]

(Original post by Lizzy12)
Hope not or you missed it (last Thursday!).

Not all exam boards have the C3 exam on the same day (OCR MEI has C3 this week I believe)

[EnragedWin]

I got into Oxford with AABB with one of the Bs in Spanish (I got in for French)

I don't think they're bothered too much as people are at different stages - I think they care more about GCSEs as everyone is on an even playing field.

[ARK94]

Hi, I have just been informed that despite having the correct entry requirements to study History, my application may not be given full consideration just because one of my As is in Design and Technology. A c/w heavy subject. Does this sound accurate to you? If this is the case, I obviously am not going to waste an application.

[Blutooth]

(Original post by ARK94)
Hi, I have just been informed that despite having the correct entry requirements to study History, my application may not be given full consideration just because one of my As is in Design and Technology. A c/w heavy subject. Does this sound accurate to you? If this is the case, I obviously am not going to waste an application.

There is sometimes a difference between the official line and what really happens. Any application depends on a variety of factors. What are your other A-levels? If they are good traditional subjects I'm sure it's not too big a deal. It's much more likely that your interview performance and aptitude tests will be of greater interest to the tutors.

[Valhalla.]

I got in with AAAB for Law, and the B was in an essay writing subject- but I did well in the other aspects, so yeah.
I think GCSEs are important to Oxford. That's what my college was told, anyway...

[Americaniamh]

I'm considering applying to Oxford for Philosophy and Maths. My AS modules have been good so far (100,100,90) and I think I should do quite well in August.

However, I only moved to the UK in August so instead of taking GCSEs, I spent two years an American high school earning 'credits' towards graduation which I didn't complete as I moved.

I know that Oxford looks at the MAT and GCSEs when looking at who to interview, so I'm wondering if having no GCSEs will be a huge disadvantage to the extent that there is no point applying?

[fluteflute]

(Original post by Americaniamh)
I know that Oxford looks at the MAT and GCSEs when looking at who to interview, so I'm wondering if having no GCSEs will be a huge disadvantage to the extent that there is no point applying?

No it won't disadvantage you at all!

[Americaniamh]

(Original post by fluteflute)
No it won't disadvantage you at all!

OK thanks! Still not 100% sure I want to apply but at least that concern is out of the way.

[fluteflute]

(Original post by Americaniamh)
OK thanks! Still not 100% sure I want to apply but at least that concern is out of the way.

You definitely want to apply

[Maixiu]

(Original post by Lizzy12)
Hope not or you missed it (last Thursday!).

Hope you just meant Core 4 (the one that has got a new exam paper being issued ready for next Thursday, due to an issue in Egypt as mentioned on the BBC website).

I definitely haven't missed it :P

OCR MEI Core 3 is on Thursday this week, I don't know about other exam boards though

[lulu2012]

Hi there. I am a Year 12 student who is hoping to do biological science in Oxford.

I'm doing Maths, Further Maths, Biology and Chemistry for my A-level. Exams have just finished so I guess I can do a bit of grades prediction myself I think I will get A in Maths, Biology and Chemistry, and the prediction grades of all three, I hope, will be A* (or one or two will be A). Yet, I have screwed up M2 hugely. The worst situation would be that I cannot even secure a B in Further Maths overall (even my S2 will high A). So my prediction grade for Further Mathematics will be screwed as well (B is my highest hope). How serious would the my possible low grade of Further Mathematics affect my chances of getting to Oxford Bio??

Btw, I will be working as intern in a zoo this summer for like 2-3 weeks. Is that enough or should I look for more Bio-related jobs??

My 2nd choice uni would be Imperial College, possible chance of getting in if rejected by Oxford??

Good luck everyone!

Thanks in advance!

[Etoile]

Are my GCSEs too low? 2 A*s and 8As; predicted 5 As at AS. This is for French & German (my A*s were in the relevant subjects) and I have extenuating circumstances - I had an accident in year 11 so I had two operations and special arrangements because I couldn't write very well, also my school was declared inadequate by Ofsted and, not sure how relevant it is but my dad thinks I should mention it, my grandmother died about a month before GCSEs (we were close).

[Ragnarocker]

(Original post by Etoile)
Are my GCSEs too low? 2 A*s and 8As; predicted 5 As at AS. This is for French & German (my A*s were in the relevant subjects) and I have extenuating circumstances - I had an accident in year 11 so I had two operations and special arrangements because I couldn't write very well, also my school was declared inadequate by Ofsted and, not sure how relevant it is but my dad thinks I should mention it, my grandmother died about a month before GCSEs (we were close).

no your grades should be fine. i got my offer from oxford and my GCSE results are 5A*'s 4A'a and a B, without extenuating circumstances. they're honestly more concerned with how passionate you are about your chosen subject so extra work in that area will really help, eg. extra reading, open days, work experience etc.

[michael321]

(Original post by Etoile)
Are my GCSEs too low? 2 A*s and 8As; predicted 5 As at AS. This is for French & German (my A*s were in the relevant subjects) and I have extenuating circumstances - I had an accident in year 11 so I had two operations and special arrangements because I couldn't write very well, also my school was declared inadequate by Ofsted and, not sure how relevant it is but my dad thinks I should mention it, my grandmother died about a month before GCSEs (we were close).

If your school is "inadequate", those GCSEs probably aren't bad for Oxford in their own right.

Throw in those extenuating circumstances, and if anything you'll be ahead of most other candidates. Just make sure your referee mentions all those extenuating circumstances in your reference. Good module marks for AS are always a bonus too - they can also go in the reference.

[JKMoore]

I'm in a pretty unique situation, and so far I haven't found any discussions to really help.
I'm 20 (21 in September) and applying to study Theology at St Peter's College Oxford for 2013 entry. In 2009, during my A2 year, I became extremely ill with a heart infection (my consultant at UCLH had to beg the surgeon to operate on me because they were convinced it would kill me). I had open heart surgery three times, spent 8 months in hospital, and had to learn the walk, write, and even breathe by myself again. Basically, I suffered every pain and indignity a person possibly can. Despite this, I returned to study my A Levels in September last year, and I'm determined to go to university. My father also died in February this year, and as his next of kin I had to organise his affairs, as he left no Will.
Whilst I have some continuing health problems, though not enough for me to be registered as disabled, I'm determined to go to university. I'm constantly being told by various people that I'm 'Oxbridge material', and I'm certain I would be able to cope with the workload and challenge academically. The only issue is that I'm unsure as to whether my grades will be good enough. I achieved at GCSE 3 A*s (in Drama, History and English Language), 5 As (in English Literature, Maths, Science Core, Science Additional and German) and 1 B (in RS). I went to a pretty mediocre state school, and wasn't allowed to take any more GCSEs. Similarly, at my college, there's not an emphasis on passing exams, but on independent thought. I've just sat my exams in AS English Lit, History, Law and Religious Studies, which I'm continuing to A2. I'm concerned that I won't achieve As across the board, not out of incompetence, but because I don't answer in the formulaic style to gain the very top marks.
I know that Oxford wants potential students to have independent thought, and I feel that if I get to interview I will be able to bring across my aptitude and passion well (if they don't offer me a place after that, then I'll have done my best). I'm just worried that I won't even be offered an interview because of my grades. So, do I really stand a chance? Or without perfect grades will my application immediately be scrapped?
Sorry for the long post, but I would very much appreciate any advice. Clearly, this isn't the worst dilemma I've been in my life, and I'm perfectly aware that life isn't fair, but I don't want sympathy. I've just experienced mortality and theology far more harshly and personally than most, and I wonder if for Oxford that will actually count.


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[neon]

Might as well try but is oxford the be all and end all? There are plenty of other places so don't just fret over this


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[ohnostopgo]

Nothing to lose by trying, but (like anyone applying to Oxbridge) you need a backup plan. Either an insurance choice you'd be happy with, something else to do for a year while you resit, or a career that doesn't require uni.

I don't think you should talk about your school being non-academic though, or the exams being "too formulaic" for you. It sounds like buck passing. Surviving that kind of illness is more than enough explanation, and tbh is more impressive than someone getting straight A* with no problems.