RATE MY CHANCES?? AAB at A level. Oxford.

Hi, I have recently applied to read History of Art at Wadham College, Oxford and just want an opinion on my chances? I got A in history of art A in art B in French
And have an additional A in maths AS level
I have 8 A*s and 2As at GCSE.
I have applied telling them that I am retaking the french and completing the maths A level in my gap year, hoping to get AT LEAST an A in both. During my gap year I am doing an art foundation at Central St. Martins and have done work experience at the V&A.
The grades required for history of art are AAA so if anything, I am hoping for a conditional offer. I did go to a very high achieving school which I fear could play against my chances. The written work I am submitting is really quite good according to my teachers but i am worried that the pesky B will be a massive disadvantage. Over the past 2 years at school I have had some personal problems which I never divulged to my teachers and I haven't told Oxford just for pride's sake and i don't know whether I will have an opportunity at interview, if i get one, to justify why i didn't fulfil my academic potential during my A levels? Also, I have recently been diagnosed with quite severe anemia, and whilst this may seem trivial, I noticed the anemia because of severe fatigue that I had been experiencing for at least a year. This CONSTANT fatigue definitely made studying a lot harder. Imagine trying to study whilst constantly tired. I'm wondering if Oxford will laugh in my face if I use the anemia as a reason for the B at A level but i genuinely think it contributed.
In any case, what do you think my chances of a conditional offer are what with everything except my A levels being pretty perfect?

(edited 11 years ago)

Reply 1

BritishHarrier

Sorry to burst your bubble, but I had the same issue. I wanted to apply for History of Art with A*AB but due to Oxford's centralised system, anyone with a B in anything will be automatically rejected. This was at least the case for me, and many people I know, but I wouldn't want to put you off looking into it further. I talked to the head of HoA at Christ Church about how this was ridiculous, and she agreed to an extent, but said that the rules were the rules.

Reply 2

BritishHarrier

On top of what I said previously, which other Universities are you applying to?

Reply 3

The_Lonely_Goatherd

I wouldn't get too hopeful, tbh :no:

Reply 4

imatcsmarentyou

I've also submitted applications to St. Andrews, Edinburgh, UCL and Warwick, all of which have AAB grade requirements.

Reply 5

MedMed12

a boy I know had AABC at AS and got an interview for economics (with a C in it) ubt she did get A*AA by the end
also may have had circumstances-not sure