[TheFOMaster]

In S5 I only did 4 Highers, because I never passed credit English and my school never offered anything else relevant in that column (I think Admin was an option, but I don't know if I could've done Higher in that either)

I would be studying Chemistry/NatSci there.

Cambridge ask for: AAAA in S5. AAA(AH's) in S6 with AA plus an A at higher being acceptable.

Oxford: AAAAB, then the same as Cambridge.

In S5 I did:
H Biology
H Chemistry
H Maths
H Computing

In S6 I'm doing
AH Biology
AH Chemistry
H Modern Studies
H English
H Physics

Also I'm sure I need AH Maths for Cambridge for the Second Year Chemistry modules(not positive), I can't really change to this. So I'd much prefer to go to Oxford and I'll likely apply for there as It only recommends AH Maths, not requiring it.

Would only doing 4 Higher's. And then mentioning that doing 5 in S5 wasn't an option for me, or that my school didn't offer a subject I wanted to do in the English column in my PS disadvantage me in getting an Interview/Offer?

[TheUnbeliever]

I think you will find your chances of an offer for physical sciences at either without AH maths are exceedingly slim - and for good reason. You would seriously struggle with our first year courses.

[TheFOMaster]

(Original post by TheUnbeliever)
I think you will find your chances of an offer for physical sciences at either without AH maths are exceedingly slim - and for good reason. You would seriously struggle with our first year courses.

Oh... ok then, isn't possible for me to do Maths next year. Oh well.

Thank you.

[Ecosse_14]

(Original post by TheFOMaster)
Oh... ok then, isn't possible for me to do Maths next year. Oh well.

Thank you.

Have you considered self teaching?

[Mechie]

(Original post by TheFOMaster)
Oh... ok then, isn't possible for me to do Maths next year. Oh well.

Thank you.

Don't apathetically accept it! If applying to Oxford or Cambridge is something you want to do then try and make it happen, don't just meekly accept you can do it because of some quirk in the school system. Go to the heads, say you want to apply to Oxbridge and say you definitely will need AH maths. I'm sure when you say you're a potential Oxbridge applicant they'll listen, they'll want to see as many people applying (and ideally getting in) in order to make them and the school look good, so there's a good chance they'll try their best to accommodate you.

Seriously, If it's because of the timetabling, that can be changed. A group of us at my school wanted to do AH chem and bio, but they were in the same column in the potential timetable. If it's because your school isn't offering it, I'm sure they'll sort something out. My school has links with all the other schools in the area, and send and receive students from different schools that wouldn't be able to do the subject at their school. If they can't do this either, it may be possible for them to get a teacher to teach you a few hours a week individually, if you drop one of your highers during the teachers free periods.

Do something, possible kick up a bit of a fuss, and I'm sure they'll be more than willing to at least try and work something out for you. The worst thing you can do is do nothing and meekly accept it.

[TheFOMaster]

(Original post by Ecosse_14)
Have you considered self teaching?

I have asked, But I never said that It's required. I'll go up to my guidance teacher tomorrow. I'll say that I'll self-study it, and drop a Higher.

(Original post by davidmarsh01)
x

I'll ask. I suppose if I say that they might listen.

To either of you. Assuming you both done AH Maths and Higher English. What would you say is the easier to Self Study of them both? I'm leaning towards Maths myself as I am far better at it.

[Ecosse_14]

(Original post by TheFOMaster)
I have asked, But I never said that It's required. I'll go up to my guidance teacher tomorrow. I'll say that I'll self-study it, and drop a Higher.


I'll ask. I suppose if I say that they might listen.

To either of you. Assuming you both done AH Maths and Higher English. What would you say is the easier to Self Study of them both? I'm leaning towards Maths myself as I am far better at it.

I would say AH Maths would be much easier to self study.. I was always better at maths rather than English anyway though. As long as you have quite good resources it should be fine (I used the HW Scholar books).

[Mechie]

(Original post by TheFOMaster)
I'll ask. I suppose if I say that they might listen.

To either of you. Assuming you both done AH Maths and Higher English. What would you say is the easier to Self Study of them both? I'm leaning towards Maths myself as I am far better at it.

I've never self studied before, but I'd say the AH maths would be easier, and much more relevant to the course you want to study. Even if you were self studying, you could still go and speak to teachers and ask them to explain stuff you don't understand, I'm sure they'd be willing to help someone who obviously cares about their education.

As I said before, definitely ask! Ask the heads about it, as they'd be the ones who would be able to do most, not the guidance teacher (is it just me who never spoke to a "guidance teacher" in all my time at school?). Nothing is final, if they see you as potential Oxbridge then they'll be willing to make allowances for you.

[TheFOMaster]

(Original post by Ecosse_14)
I would say AH Maths would be much easier to self study.. I was always better at maths rather than English anyway though. As long as you have quite good resources it should be fine (I used the HW Scholar books).

Thanks, If I'm allowed I'll ask the AH Maths Teacher If I can have the textbook(s) his class is working from.

(Original post by davidmarsh01)
I've never self studied before, but I'd say the AH maths would be easier, and much more relevant to the course you want to study. Even if you were self studying, you could still go and speak to teachers and ask them to explain stuff you don't understand, I'm sure they'd be willing to help someone who obviously cares about their education.

As I said before, definitely ask! Ask the heads about it, as they'd be the ones who would be able to do most, not the guidance teacher (is it just me who never spoke to a "guidance teacher" in all my time at school?). Nothing is final, if they see you as potential Oxbridge then they'll be willing to make allowances for you.

But would I even be seen as a potential Oxbridge student? Since I only done 4 Highers and thats just on the mark for Cambridge and below for Oxford?

(I hardly ever spoke to my guidance teacher either :P outside of P.S.E and S-Grade Maths I only spoke to her once to try to self study H English. I'll ask my year head about doing it on Tuesday, he might let me.)

[Mechie]

(Original post by TheFOMaster)
But would I even be seen as a potential Oxbridge student? Since I only done 4 Highers and thats just on the mark for Cambridge and below for Oxford?

(I hardly ever spoke to my guidance teacher either :P outside of P.S.E and S-Grade Maths I only spoke to her once to try to self study H English. I'll ask my year head about doing it on Tuesday, he might let me.)

If you're predicted A's in the subjects you've done, and you say to them you want to apply to Oxbridge, then you'll be seen as a potential Oxbridge candidate, definitely. You just need to make it known to them that you want to apply to Oxford/Cambridge and what you'll need for it, and they should try their best to accommodate you

[TheFOMaster]

(Original post by davidmarsh01)
If you're predicted A's in the subjects you've done, and you say to them you want to apply to Oxbridge, then you'll be seen as a potential Oxbridge candidate, definitely. You just need to make it known to them that you want to apply to Oxford/Cambridge and what you'll need for it, and they should try their best to accommodate you

Thank you I was predicted an A in everything except Chemistry (Which was an A/B so it should still count) Cheers!

[TheFOMaster]

I was allowed to do AH Maths, however only If I get an A in my exam for Higher, and I pass my first Nab on first attempt. So I might still have a chance of going here :P

[Mechie]

(Original post by TheFOMaster)
I was allowed to do AH Maths, however only If I get an A in my exam for Higher, and I pass my first Nab on first attempt. So I might still have a chance of going here :P

Good! I'm glad you said something If you're aiming for Oxford/Cambridge for Nat Sci then you should really be getting an A in your H Maths anyway

[TheFOMaster]

(Original post by davidmarsh01)
Good! I'm glad you said something If you're aiming for Oxford/Cambridge for Nat Sci then you should really be getting an A in your H Maths anyway

Thank you tonnes btw. I wouldn't even have the chance to go at all if it wasn't for you. Although I when I said I wanted to do it, the Head said that the chances of getting an interview were slim because I only did 4 Highers. Since someone last year got rejected with 5A's.

Oh well. On the bright side if I don't get an interview then all my other University choices will be in early. So I might not have to stress over them when everyone else is

[Mechie]

(Original post by TheFOMaster)
Thank you tonnes btw. I wouldn't even have the chance to go at all if it wasn't for you. Although I when I said I wanted to do it, the Head said that the chances of getting an interview were slim because I only did 4 Highers. Since someone last year got rejected with 5A's.

Oh well. On the bright side if I don't get an interview then all my other University choices will be in early. So I might not have to stress over them when everyone else is

Thanks - it's no problem Of course if you had got top grades in 5 highers that would be better than top grades in 4 highers, but if you get top grades in the 4 highers you sat, with A predictions in the subjects you'll do in 6th year then you're still in with a decent chance

[TheFOMaster]

(Original post by davidmarsh01)
Thanks - it's no problem Of course if you had got top grades in 5 highers that would be better than top grades in 4 highers, but if you get top grades in the 4 highers you sat, with A predictions in the subjects you'll do in 6th year then you're still in with a decent chance

May as well have a shot. Much to gain with nothing to lose