Chemistry Applicants 2015

From what I understand about the whole thing is that the universities which give these really early offers generally give out offers to those who seem like the strongest applicants who are probably applying for more prestigious universities, so the chances that they accept their offer is low hence they can afford to hand out these early offers. I'm sure they have a system so as to value everyone's application equally

I've started at Oxford now, been here a week and I can't stand it. Really really really just want to leave, I know I should stick it out, but the workload is ridiculous and I'm really not coping. I've felt sick since I've been here, barely eaten anything at all, and I'm pretty sure I'm becoming depressed! Give it some serious consideration before you apply. If freedom is something you're looking for at university, this is not the place for you. Work hours are literally ridiculous, been set work in freshers week (lectures start tomorrow), and I've been working all day every day, into the evenings, like literally no time to breathe. Rerally really concerned that I'm going to have to leave and apply elsewhere next year, hate to say this, but I really wish I hadn't got in. So yeah, just telling you this so you make sure you think about it first. I applied because I got 4 A*'s and I thought that was the natural thing to do. This place sucks for me, I feel trapped and constantly panicky, so yeah just make sure you know what you want, because coming here has just given me more problems to deal with, wish I didn't get in and went to Bristol/Nottingham.

x

I'm sorry to hear you're having a rough start. I know it's scant consolation, but lots of the other chemists will be feeling exactly the same as you right now. While the workload remains heavy throughout the course, it's still true that the first few weeks are definitely the hardest, when you're doing tute work for lecture courses you haven't had yet and you're still trying to find your feet. It will get better — by the end of Michaelmas I was contemplating dropping out and taking up a different subject at a different university, but now I'm in my final year and thinking about carrying on with a DPhil.

Try speaking to some of the second and third year chemists in your college, to find out how much work the tutors really expect you to produce and to find out which (sub)topics are the most important. You should try to find a work pattern that allows you to get enough work done while maintaining some free time to stop you from going mad. Scheduled activities are a great way to break the day up. If you're wondering about whether you have enough time to join a society you spotted at Freshers' Fair, go for it: an extra hour or two of trawling through books will not make a big difference, but taking time out to do something fun can have a really positive effect.

I would say that the most important things to stay on top of are organic and maths. The physical and inorganic topics are more discrete, so you'll be better able to go through these after term to iron out any issues you have with them. (Or even learn them all properly for the first time, as I found myself constantly doing....) However, if you don't get to grips with the organic and maths, you can find yourself falling further behind as there is a greater tendency in first year for later lecture courses to build on earlier ones.

If you don't find that things improve over the next few weeks, you should speak to your tutors and college welfare staff. (I don't know much about your tutors but Steve seemed very approachable, if his lecturing is anything to go by.)

As an aside, why don't Oxford let their students go for industrial placements?

The general consensus of the faculty is that the Part II year is a vital experience for potential researchers. Tied into this is their continued refusal to consider seriously the possibility of a third-year exit point for people who've had enough after their final exams.

I thought so-industry rarely take on Oxbridge graduates for this reason. No experience other than academic which isn't great of the department.

Are there stats that show Oxford chemistry grads don't end up in industry?

Oh ****...How heavy is the workload? You were set work in freshers week ahah wow.

Apart from the workload though, what is it like, is it as good as you thought it would be?

I'm sorry to hear you're having a rough start. I know it's scant consolation, but lots of the other chemists will be feeling exactly the same as you right now. While the workload remains heavy throughout the course, it's still true that the first few weeks are definitely the hardest, when you're doing tute work for lecture courses you haven't had yet and you're still trying to find your feet. It will get better — by the end of Michaelmas I was contemplating dropping out and taking up a different subject at a different university, but now I'm in my final year and thinking about carrying on with a DPhil.

Try speaking to some of the second and third year chemists in your college, to find out how much work the tutors really expect you to produce and to find out which (sub)topics are the most important. You should try to find a work pattern that allows you to get enough work done while maintaining some free time to stop you from going mad. Scheduled activities are a great way to break the day up. If you're wondering about whether you have enough time to join a society you spotted at Freshers' Fair, go for it: an extra hour or two of trawling through books will not make a big difference, but taking time out to do something fun can have a really positive effect.

I would say that the most important things to stay on top of are organic and maths. The physical and inorganic topics are more discrete, so you'll be better able to go through these after term to iron out any issues you have with them. (Or even learn them all properly for the first time, as I found myself constantly doing....) However, if you don't get to grips with the organic and maths, you can find yourself falling further behind as there is a greater tendency in first year for later lecture courses to build on earlier ones.

If you don't find that things improve over the next few weeks, you should speak to your tutors and college welfare staff. (I don't know much about your tutors but Steve seemed very approachable, if his lecturing is anything to go by.)

Just got into Imperial for Chemistry, and recieved all 5 of my offers (they're in my description) so if you have any questions, ask!

I am a chemistry applicant and sent off ucas two days ago. Got an email today from York asking for an interview anyone else heard anything?


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anyone heard anything from imperial?

Nope, not even an acknowledgement email. I applied two days ago.

Thanks for the advice! Just don't feel like there's any time for extra curriculars and I'm finding the pace CRAZY FAST. Only 3 days into lectiures and I'm completely lost in them. I'm gunna go and talk to someone later in the week but I think a slower paced university might be for me, because I'm just really panicking here and I don't feel I have time to understand anything!