[riley.joe96]

I'm only in year 12 so this obviously isn't pressing but it is just something I am wondering whether it would be worth doing in a years time. I got 5 A* and 5 A at GCSE and I'm predicted A in all 4 of the subjects I am taking at AS (History, English Lit, French, RE). Are these GCSE grades good enough and, if I achieve those targets in may, are those AS Levels good enough to think about applying to either Oxford or Cambridge with? I am hopefully going to study History if that helps.

I do things outside of school that I could use on a personal statement, voluntary work, DofE, sport, etc. so I'm not too worried about that side of things but how much do i need to do to be able to consider applying to Oxbridge?

[tehforum]

(Original post by riley.joe96)
I'm only in year 12 so this obviously isn't pressing but it is just something I am wondering whether it would be worth doing in a years time. I got 5 A* and 5 A at GCSE and I'm predicted A in all 4 of the subjects I am taking at AS (History, English Lit, French, RE). Are these GCSE grades good enough and, if I achieve those targets in may, are those AS Levels good enough to think about applying to either Oxford or Cambridge with? I am hopefully going to study History if that helps.

I do things outside of school that I could use on a personal statement, voluntary work, DofE, sport, etc. so I'm not too worried about that side of things but how much do i need to do to be able to consider applying to Oxbridge?

Yeah of course.

Oxbridge don't care about extra-curriculars, unless they're academic. Other universities you apply to may care.

[Slumpy]

(Original post by tehforum)
Yeah of course.

Oxbridge don't care about extra-curriculars, unless they're academic. Other universities you apply to may care.

This.

[Megzx13]

No offence right, but surely you know the answer to this question?
Its obvious that someone who is predicted (only if you achieve them of course) the highest grades possible at AS-Level plus with good GCSE grades achieved will stand a chance when applying to Oxbridge? :L gawddd

[The_Lonely_Goatherd]

Go for it! Wider reading is your friend

[BawanHama]

Believe it or not, uni's aren't mad about having a gazillion A* (except birmingham). What you have to try and do is get work experience which is relevant to the course you want to do. Obviously you cant apply for some courses with your chosen subjects (eg medicine), but for history you should really try to get out of school experience. My advice would be to start now, the longer you leave it the more it will pile on, especially with school work allready a big load. Oxbridge is extremely hard and are usually very unpredictable - you never know what sort of people they will accept. Try getting a placement at a museum? Every city has one. I cant really think of any more places right now but im sure there are plenty of places you could ask to work voluntarily. If your school has things like peer mentoring you could also do that, but remember oxbridge is not normal. Your best bet would be to go to teachers who know what they are talking about or a forum for oxbridge applicants. Grades everyone will get, its the extra curricular things that really matter for oxbridge.

[Pride]

(Original post by BawanHama)
Believe it or not, uni's aren't mad about having a gazillion A* (except birmingham). What you have to try and do is get work experience which is relevant to the course you want to do. Obviously you cant apply for some courses with your chosen subjects (eg medicine), but for history you should really try to get out of school experience. My advice would be to start now, the longer you leave it the more it will pile on, especially with school work allready a big load. Oxbridge is extremely hard and are usually very unpredictable - you never know what sort of people they will accept. Try getting a placement at a museum? Every city has one. I cant really think of any more places right now but im sure there are plenty of places you could ask to work voluntarily. If your school has things like peer mentoring you could also do that, but remember oxbridge is not normal. Your best bet would be to go to teachers who know what they are talking about or a forum for oxbridge applicants. Grades everyone will get, its the extra curricular things that really matter for oxbridge.

You think so?

I think with history at oxbridge, grades take largest priority. It's not easy to get 'history-related' work experience. Do lots of reading.

You're trying to show that you are first and foremost an academic. So books, lectures, that sort of thing. And of course strong grades.

[The_Lonely_Goatherd]

(Original post by BawanHama)
its the extra curricular things that really matter for oxbridge.

[Calllu-m]

Only include it if it's relevant - Debating or MUN helping to build oratory skills for languages etc.

[bellatrixb]

I would wait for your AS results before you get your heart too set on one place or another- they can often be a big shock (one of my best friends, who wanted to go to cambridge, was predicted AAAA and got BBCC), and you don't want to have to completely change your plans. Have a look at lots of places early, and do wider reading etc. (It will be useful everywhere, as well as possibly enjoyable!), as well as maybe starting to draft your personal statement from about may ish, but don't choose where you are applying before the results- also, only do extra curricular if you actually enjoy it- it isn't going to make a big difference, and it will be even worse if they ask about it at interview and it is obvious you only did it for UCAS

[richiemayne]

(Original post by Megzx13)
No offence right, but surely you know the answer to this question?
Its obvious that someone who is predicted (only if you achieve them of course) the highest grades possible at AS-Level plus with good GCSE grades achieved will stand a chance when applying to Oxbridge? :L gawddd

This isn't true at all. You've clearly never been through the application process for either Oxford or Cambridge nor known anybody who has. Nothing is 'obvious' about it, I can assure you.

[strawberri]

(Original post by richiemayne)
This isn't true at all.You've clearly never been through the application process for either Oxford or Cambridge nor known anybody who has. Nothing is 'obvious' about it, I can assure you.

Too right! Obviously (except minor exceptions) Oxbridge want demanding grades for all subjects and these just get you a small part of the way-so many people apply, you have to take this into account

[Larry31]

(Original post by bellatrixb)
I would wait for your AS results before you get your heart too set on one place or another- they can often be a big shock (one of my best friends, who wanted to go to cambridge, was predicted AAAA and got BBCC), and you don't want to have to completely change your plans. Have a look at lots of places early, and do wider reading etc. (It will be useful everywhere, as well as possibly enjoyable!), as well as maybe starting to draft your personal statement from about may ish, but don't choose where you are applying before the results- also, only do extra curricular if you actually enjoy it- it isn't going to make a big difference, and it will be even worse if they ask about it at interview and it is obvious you only did it for UCAS

Absolutely this! We have an Oxbridge group at 6th Form which started off with about 20 potential applicants. This dropped to about 8 after AS-results...definitely wait until AS to get your heart set on something. Also, you seriously need to go visit the universities because you may end up disliking them and not wanting to apply anyway! I had my heart set on Cambridge after GCSE results, went to visit, and actually came away really disappointed! I much prefered Oxford and Cardiff to Cambridge, so you really do need to visit to decide

[tsr-member]

(Original post by BawanHama)
Believe it or not, uni's aren't mad about having a gazillion A* (except birmingham). What you have to try and do is get work experience which is relevant to the course you want to do. Obviously you cant apply for some courses with your chosen subjects (eg medicine), but for history you should really try to get out of school experience. My advice would be to start now, the longer you leave it the more it will pile on, especially with school work allready a big load. Oxbridge is extremely hard and are usually very unpredictable - you never know what sort of people they will accept. Try getting a placement at a museum? Every city has one. I cant really think of any more places right now but im sure there are plenty of places you could ask to work voluntarily. If your school has things like peer mentoring you could also do that, but remember oxbridge is not normal. Your best bet would be to go to teachers who know what they are talking about or a forum for oxbridge applicants. Grades everyone will get, its the extra curricular things that really matter for oxbridge.

Yes, they are.
Especially Oxford and Cambridge.

[Choppie]

(Original post by Megzx13)
No offence right, but surely you know the answer to this question?
Its obvious that someone who is predicted (only if you achieve them of course) the highest grades possible at AS-Level plus with good GCSE grades achieved will stand a chance when applying to Oxbridge? :L gawddd

Ha, nope! Good luck if you ever do it.
My brother achieved 12 A*s at GCSE, and got 3 A's at A-Level. Oxford still turned him down.

A lot of it hangs on the interview, and the application exam. If you do very well in these two things, you stand out much more. A student who has AAA at A-Level, but whose interview and/or application exam goes badly would have a worse chance of getting in to Oxbridge than a student who gets AAB and does brilliantly at the application exam and interview.

I am not saying that grades don't count whatsoever - but they're not the most important thing, so long as they're adequate.

NB - My brother's interview went badly, which is probably the main reason he was turned down.

[ASTaiyeb]

It is definitely worth applying to Oxbridge. The are numerous reason why imo going to oxbdrige is definitely worth it. The biggest opportunity is that you have one to one or one to two tutorials with generally extremely intelligent people in that area. Having to debate with them your point quickly trains you to become much better at explaining yourself and understanding difficult information quickly, which become invaluable skilles when you start having interviews for jobs and internships.

With regards to getting a place, or a subject like History, where work experience is scarce, the focus is on grades and the the interview. From the sounds of it, you grades should allow you to get an interview at Oxford, and possibly Cambridge. (Cambridge tend to have a greater emphasis on your grades) From here it is almost entirely about the interview and showing the interviewer firstly that you have aptitude but, from talking to admissions tutors, what is far more important is showing a true passion for your subject. How to do that is a hard question, my advice is to look at the syllabus for the course on their sites and find some area you think you will be passionate about and emphasise in you PS and your interview that you have actually taken the time to look at the syllabus and read around the possible areas you will study and show that you are passionate about learning about them.

[MichaelAshdown]

(Original post by BawanHama)
Grades everyone will get, its the extra curricular things that really matter for oxbridge.

I can't speak for history, but in my own faculty (law) we expressly say on our website:

"We do not rely on any non-academic factors unless they reveal something relevant to academic progress."

I would be surprised if the history faculty took a radically different view.

(Original post by Megzx13)
Its obvious that someone who is predicted (only if you achieve them of course) the highest grades possible at AS-Level plus with good GCSE grades achieved will stand a chance when applying to Oxbridge?

I'm not sure why this comment has been widely disparaged. It seems to me to be spot on. Anyone with good GCSE grades and good AS/A2 results/predictions does stand a chance. Of course lots won't make it, because we have so many more applicants than places. But if you're in that position you definitely stand a good enough chance to make it worth applying.

[Hal.E.Lujah]

(Original post by Pride)
You're trying to show that you are first and foremost an academic. So books, lectures, that sort of thing. And of course strong grades.

This dude speaks the truth. You're not actually allowed to do extra curriculum activities at Oxbridge. Especially jobs or charity work.

To the OP, why waste time asking? For confidence? You get 5 options, slap Oxbridge on there and find out. They know best.

[natninja]

(Original post by riley.joe96)
I'm only in year 12 so this obviously isn't pressing but it is just something I am wondering whether it would be worth doing in a years time. I got 5 A* and 5 A at GCSE and I'm predicted A in all 4 of the subjects I am taking at AS (History, English Lit, French, RE). Are these GCSE grades good enough and, if I achieve those targets in may, are those AS Levels good enough to think about applying to either Oxford or Cambridge with? I am hopefully going to study History if that helps.

I do things outside of school that I could use on a personal statement, voluntary work, DofE, sport, etc. so I'm not too worried about that side of things but how much do i need to do to be able to consider applying to Oxbridge?

Yes do apply, and ignore those who say to drop the co-curriculars - they show you can organise your study time effectively BUT ONLY if your grades are up to scratch.

[Fragile_Illusions]

Stuff like this really p*sses me off.