Oxford 2016/17 Postgraduate

I am applying for the MSc in Comparative Social Policy, and I'm pretty nervous. This is where I'm at so far/background:

Completed my Undergrad at a U.S. University, top 5 all Women's college
BA in Public Policy and Philosophy
Gpa: 3.75
Work experience: Director of a non profit summer program in Latin America, two state internships

One publication at my UG college's Policy Forum
Presented at one UG conference in DC

In terms of the application I'm struggling a little with how to write the SOP. Also I'm using already written samples but cutting them down and polishing them up.

Is anyone else applying to this program? Are you feeling confident about your application? I'm anxious, it's my first choice masters program but I don't want to be so unrealistic about my chances. Also, how are people choosing their college preference?

There's no harm in applying except if you can't afford the application fee (I think it's like 40euros?). And with a good GPA, good school, relevant work experience and publications you seem like you tick all the boxes What I did to assess my chances (as I'm also in the process of applying) was contacting people who got into the course I want to do and ask them about their background. I admit you have to do a bit of online creeping e.g. is there a facebook group for the course, has someone who's enrolled posted on TSR, etc.

I think you are completely right. Every department is so different and looking for unique qualifications. What program are you applying to?

I am applying for the MSc in Comparative Social Policy, and I'm pretty nervous. This is where I'm at so far/background:

Completed my Undergrad at a U.S. University, top 5 all Women's college
BA in Public Policy and Philosophy
Gpa: 3.75
Work experience: Director of a non profit summer program in Latin America, two state internships

One publication at my UG college's Policy Forum
Presented at one UG conference in DC

In terms of the application I'm struggling a little with how to write the SOP. Also I'm using already written samples but cutting them down and polishing them up.

Is anyone else applying to this program? Are you feeling confident about your application? I'm anxious, it's my first choice masters program but I don't want to be so unrealistic about my chances. Also, how are people choosing their college preference?

I studied abroad at a top all women's college in Massachusetts last year. Where did you study? Good luck with your application!

I'm applying to the MPhil in Politics - European Politics and Society option.

Aaaargh saying it out loud is enough to make me nervous haha!

How about yourself?

I studied at Mills College in California. Did you attend Smith? Thanks!

I just submitted my application but when I was looking through it all my documents had disappeared and now I can't even log in because it says my password is invalid even though it isn't! :'( So frustrating!!!

:O sounds so frustrating! But at least you've got loads of time to sort it out if you're applying for the January deadline (how did you manage to put together your application already??)

I contacted Student Services and they have now sorted it out for me!

It took a lot of time and effort but I was determined to get it out of the way. I also contacted a potential supervisor who liked my ideas which motivated me to really see it through. Get going, it's a blast to finally finish it off.

Sounds motivating indeed I've talked to my three referees and they all agreed, and I'm finishing off my writing samples and personal statement currently before my lecturer takes a look at them. The thing I'm most worried about is that there doesn't seem to be much interest in the Department I'm applying to for the specific subject I want to write my thesis on....hope it doesn't harm my chances

It's good that you're almost done! I didn't write new samples, I simply took old pieces of work that had received good grades - you could do that if you are struggling to finish off!

I really do hope that it doesn't harm your chances too. Though think of it this way, a new idea and one that falls mildly outside of the expertise of potential supervisors might prove an exciting task for the department. You also need to know that at Masters level, the potential supervisor doesn't have to be an exact match to you. I was told this by two professors there! At this stage it needs to be similar and the department will make an allocation accordingly.

I've heard a few people getting offers already for Cambridge. Do Oxford do the same thing (rolling applications) or do they not look at applications until after the deadline in January?