Should I give up on Oxford?

I didn't do as well as I wanted to at AS. My grades were BBB, I want to do Chinese at Wadham college which requires AAA. My teachers said to me they think I'm capable of getting AAA at A-level but with my AS grades, would Oxford disregard my application.

I had the highest grade in my French and German class ( not sure about UMS) and the third highest grade in Sociology (two people got an A). The majority of my sociology class received a U and my French teacher warned me that everyone (in my school) does bad at AS French/German but do better when they resit. The year above me consisted of mainly Us Es and Ds at AS. I'm not really sure why I wrote this ^ I doubt its really relevant. I have extenuating circumstances, which I don't want to talk about online. (It's pretty bleak)

I don't know if any of the above was relevant, at the end of the day, I underachieved but what do you guys think? Should I give up or should I go for it. (The worse they can say is no, although it may be a waste of a choice.)

Reply 1

Med_medine

1

Original post by JamesJones777

I didn't do as well as I wanted to at AS. My grades were BBB, I want to do Chinese at Wadham college which requires AAA. My teachers said to me they think I'm capable of getting AAA at A-level but with my AS grades, would Oxford disregard my application.

I had the highest grade in my French and German class ( not sure about UMS) and the third highest grade in Sociology (two people got an A). The majority of my sociology class received a U and my French teacher warned me that everyone (in my school) does bad at AS French/German but do better when they resit. The year above me consisted of mainly Us Es and Ds at AS. I'm not really sure why I wrote this ^ I doubt its really relevant. I have extenuating circumstances, which I don't want to talk about online. (It's pretty bleak)

I don't know if any of the above was relevant, at the end of the day, I underachieved but what do you guys think? Should I give up or should I go for it. (The worse they can say is no, although it may be a waste of a choice.)

It really depends on the extent of your extenuating circumstances but in reality for such a top university with an immense applicant pool of people with at least 3 A, your chance if to be honest next to nil

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Reply 2

JamesJones777

OP

14

Original post by Med_medine

It really depends on the extent of your extenuating circumstances but in reality for such a top university with an immense applicant pool of people with at least 3 A, your chance if to be honest next to nil

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Thank you for your honest answer, like I said I don't want to go in my extenuating circumstances but they are pretty extreme. I think I'll give up, its a waste of a choice.

Reply 3

Med_medine

1

Original post by JamesJones777

Thank you for your honest answer, like I said I don't want to go in my extenuating circumstances but they are pretty extreme. I think I'll give up, its a waste of a choice.

What are your GCSEs

I am aware that you dont feel comfortable to share about your circumstances online, but are you sending a extenuating form if you apply to Oxford?

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Reply 4

JamesJones777

OP

14

Original post by Med_medine

What are your GCSEs

I am aware that you dont feel comfortable to share about your circumstances online, but are you sending a extenuating form if you apply to Oxford?

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The circumstances started at GCSE, there were two peaks, one was during GCSE and other was AS, so as you can imagine not great. A*AAAABBBC and the welsh bac intermediate. :frown:

Without a doubt in my mind, everywhere will get it. Its the reason why I was able to get on a Cambridge summer school.

Reply 5

Lucilou101

18

It's worth a shot if you explain your extenuating circumstances and get your teachers to put in your reference about how you got the top grades or close to in the year.

Oxford need to believe that you are capable of achieving AAA - but if your PS is good and you interview well then you have a chance :smile:

Reply 6

Med_medine

1

Original post by Lucilou101

It's worth a shot if you explain your extenuating circumstances and get your teachers to put in your reference about how you got the top grades or close to in the year.

Oxford need to believe that you are capable of achieving AAA - but if your PS is good and you interview well then you have a chance :smile:

Dont misguide the OP, he wont get an interview with those GCSEs

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Reply 7

clonedmemories

16

The other option you may have is to sit your A Levels and apply the year after. If you already have AAA at that point, then it's far more likely you'll get an interview and an offer after that. It may be the case that you don't want to/can't do this, but if it's an option, then it's one worth considering.

Reply 8

The_Lonely_Goatherd

20

Original post by Med_medine

Dont misguide the OP, he wont get an interview with those GCSEs

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What makes you so sure of that? :confused:

Since there were extenuating circumstances at the time, it's possible. Especially as Oriental Studies isn't a super-competitive subject. A strong score on the OLAT could at least get the OP an interview...

OP: best thing to do is to email Wadham admissions and ask them about your situation. They are better placed to advise you about whether you would stand a chance.

One question you might face is why you only did 3 AS Levels? Is that to do with the extenuating circumstances? Usually, the overwhelming majority of applicants will have at least 4 AS Levels...

Reply 9

German123

21

Original post by JamesJones777

I didn't do as well as I wanted to at AS. My grades were BBB, I want to do Chinese at Wadham college which requires AAA. My teachers said to me they think I'm capable of getting AAA at A-level but with my AS grades, would Oxford disregard my application.

I had the highest grade in my French and German class ( not sure about UMS) and the third highest grade in Sociology (two people got an A). The majority of my sociology class received a U and my French teacher warned me that everyone (in my school) does bad at AS French/German but do better when they resit. The year above me consisted of mainly Us Es and Ds at AS. I'm not really sure why I wrote this ^ I doubt its really relevant. I have extenuating circumstances, which I don't want to talk about online. (It's pretty bleak)
I don't know if any of the above was relevant, at the end of the day, I underachieved but what do you guys think? Should I give up or should I go for it. (The worse they can say is no, although it may be a waste of a choice.)

You are worth a lot more than the grades you got on a piece of paper so please dont let those grades decide your fate. Also there are other options for example Btecs so its not completely the end of the world if you dont get the grades. You did the best that you could and if you have not i guess you have learnt your lesson that its though out there so be prepared...Remember life does not go in a straight line so dont stress of over exam results...as it is not all about going to Cambridge or oxford-you dont have to go there to make something good out of your life so do what suits you.

Always Remember "Winners are to busy to be sad, to positive to be doubtful, to optimistic to be fearful, and too determined to be defeated."

Edit: It is not all about a piece of paper with your name on it :smile:

Reply 10

Lucilou101

18

Original post by Med_medine

Dont misguide the OP, he wont get an interview with those GCSEs

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What makes you an expert on Oxford admissions?

I know people with similar GCSEs who've gotten in, without extenuating circumstances.

Reply 11

Lucilou101

18

I'd definitely check with Wadham first as mentioned, but at the end of the day it's only one choice so you might as well have a go.

Oxford are looking for people who are academically able, so if your extenuating circumstances are that bad and you've still got those grades then they will take that into consideration heavily :smile:

Reply 12

JamesJones777

OP

14

A quick update. I'm still unsure, I'll email Wadham and decide.

After the year I've had, I'm happy with my grades, I nearly dropped out of school twice and my predicted grades were turbulent, A one month to a D the next.

I would have liked to have gotten AAA. (but so would everybody) BBB isn't bad :smile:

Thanks for all of your advice guys.

Quick question. If I apply somewhere that requires ABB, will I have a competitive application with BBB grades?

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 13

JamesJones777

OP

14

Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd

What makes you so sure of that? :confused:

Since there were extenuating circumstances at the time, it's possible. Especially as Oriental Studies isn't a super-competitive subject. A strong score on the OLAT could at least get the OP an interview...

OP: best thing to do is to email Wadham admissions and ask them about your situation. They are better placed to advise you about whether you would stand a chance.

One question you might face is why you only did 3 AS Levels? Is that to do with the extenuating circumstances? Usually, the overwhelming majority of applicants will have at least 4 AS Levels...

For Chinese there is no OLAT. If I'm not mistaken it is for Middle Eastern languages.

I may do that if I change my mind, I'm not going to apply at the moment. That is some sound advice though, so thank you.

I started the year with 4 but I couldn't cope with my home life so I dropped English. I am following a Government and Politics course and may take the AS exam next year as the course started really late (February) and it is something I do after school. I am studying the Welsh Baccalaureate advanced level, In which I am aiming for an A*/A.

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 14

BeautifulPotato

9

Original post by JamesJones777

I didn't do as well as I wanted to at AS. My grades were BBB, I want to do Chinese at Wadham college which requires AAA. My teachers said to me they think I'm capable of getting AAA at A-level but with my AS grades, would Oxford disregard my application.

I had the highest grade in my French and German class ( not sure about UMS) and the third highest grade in Sociology (two people got an A). The majority of my sociology class received a U and my French teacher warned me that everyone (in my school) does bad at AS French/German but do better when they resit. The year above me consisted of mainly Us Es and Ds at AS. I'm not really sure why I wrote this ^ I doubt its really relevant. I have extenuating circumstances, which I don't want to talk about online. (It's pretty bleak)

I don't know if any of the above was relevant, at the end of the day, I underachieved but what do you guys think? Should I give up or should I go for it. (The worse they can say is no, although it may be a waste of a choice.)

You can either apply this year with your BBB at AS or you can finish your A levels and apply next year.

If you apply this year, you should ask your doctor or teacher or a professional who knows about your extenuating circumstances and ask them to write you a letter for Oxford explaining how said circumstances have affected/hindered your studies. You could possibly refer briefly to the circumstances in your personal statement (I did this and my interviewers kept saying things like 'this is impressive, given your circumstances' or whatever...so it's good as it contextualises it) but that's up to you! If your college won't accept a letter, make sure your school reference outlines the issues. Either way, be honest about the bleakness of the circumstances and how much it has affected you. You deserve consideration

If you apply next year, you will have time to improve your grades and get AAA. You won't have to mention your BBB at AS. Are the circumstances likely to improve this year? Will studying be easier?

If this year has taught me anything, it's never, EVER give up.

Reply 15

The_Lonely_Goatherd

20

Original post by JamesJones777

For Chinese there is no OLAT. If I'm not mistaken it is for Middle Eastern languages.

Oops, my bad :getmecoat:

I may do that if I change my mind, I'm not going to apply at the moment. That is some sound advice though, so thank you.

I started the year with 4 but I couldn't cope with my home life so I dropped English. I am following a Government and Politics course and may take the AS exam next year as the course started really late (February) and it is something I do after school. I am studying the Welsh Baccalaureate advanced level, In which I am aiming for an A*/A.

Well I wish you the very best of luck with whatever you decide to do and wherever you decide to apply :yep:

Reply 16

Isobelkp

Oxford Admissions has a flagging system based on certain characterisitics (including poor school grades as a whole, achievement from your region, extenuating circumstances, illness etc.) If you meet more than one of these you are more likely to get an interview. So send an application.
However: why the focus on Wadham? there are thirty colleges, you won't always get into your first choice. In addition, the conditions at Oxford are hard work and tense, and if your extenuating circumstances are any way to do with stress, or likely to be recurring, you might want to go somewhere less pressured with longer terms. Its a good uni, but its not the only one. :smile:

Reply 17

astro67

10

Original post by Isobelkp

However: why the focus on Wadham? there are thirty colleges, you won't always get into your first choice. In addition, the conditions at Oxford are hard work and tense, and if your extenuating circumstances are any way to do with stress, or likely to be recurring, you might want to go somewhere less pressured with longer terms. Its a good uni, but its not the only one. :smile:

In general, that's an important point but for Oriental Studies, it's only 14 Colleges to pick from according to the prospectus and if you want to study Chinese at a College that has a tutorial fellow in Chinese, I think you're down to a choice of four and if you want their specialism to be the Language (as opposed to, say, the Sociology or Philosophy of China) then you may be down to just Wadham so it's more understandable than normal to focus on a college or handful of colleges.