Oxbridge FAQ!

I want to apply for Philosophy and Theology at Oxford this year but I'm worried that I'm already disadvantaged, because my GCSEs aren't great and because I only did 3 A levels (I go to a private school and almost everyone else I know who applied to Oxbridge from private schools did 4).

My question is: are your GCSEs and other factors such as number of A Levels only relevant in getting to the interview stage? I read on another thread that once you get to the interview stage that everyone's basically considered to be on a level playing field; is this true or will I have to do better in my interview than someone with excellent GCSEs and loads of A Levels would have to do to get in?

This is probably quite similar to a lot of other questions, but Ill ask anyway
I would like to do English at Oxford and I am taking 4 or 5 full A levels in English Lit, Biology, Geography, Business and Psychology. I know that Oxford like to see Classics, Greek or Latin for their English course - when I know so many other people who have these subjects and I don't, do I have any hope of getting onto the course? Thanks.

is english thought of as a respected subject?
i'm not taking it, just curious
also, is it worth doing some volunteer work?

English Literature is a highly respected subject, yes. Many people wishing to go into journalism/the media as well as other careers normally start out with an English lit degree.

Volunteer work - do you mean "will this enhance my application?" In a word: no. Unless you're applying for a vocational subject like medicine, where you need experience (and where it's mostly unpaid) volunteer work isn't going to put you at any significant advantage. Oxbridge admissions tutors want to see how bright you are, not how noble you are. They might think you're a nice person for it, but that'll just make them feel a bit worse if they have to reject you over somebody with a stronger academic profile and no voluntary work....

American universities are, as far as I know, the only ones that really care about extra-currics. Oxbridge don't. Your assessment (ucas form, interviews, tests) will all be based on how you fare academically.

wowee thanks
is it more respectable than chemistry?
obvz would depend on what subject you're going for
just interested, as considered swapping chemistry for it =]

also reeeaally?
so extra curricular activities [excluding like music where you can get ucas points] don't get you any credit?!

Do people who go to Oxbridge become stuck up after they graduate? -.-

Nah, we're stuck up before we even get here.

Hi!

I was dead sure I was going to apply for English at Cambridge for entry 2009 and I've asked for referee statement and written a draft for PS too. Now, I'm not sure I'm cut out for it I've got the grades for sure, but my PS was totally trashed when this person read it and I'm not sure I've got what it takes!

I took the IB diploma, and hardly read outside the syllabus - something that is almost obligatory when applying. But I just wanted to focus on IB (those of you in the IB can def understand this) so I didn't. I love literature and I think I'd love the course at Cambridge, but should I apply even though my PS stinks (will obv. re-write it) and I'm not sure I've got what it takes? Is it "impossible" to get in if I didn't read outside the syllabus? Cause in that case I'm screwed

Thanks!

So you've never ever read a novel or play that hasn't directly involved your IB course?

Of course I have I read loads before IB and I'm reading now post-IB, but during IB (i.e. 3 yrs) I didn't read outside the syllabus. And it's not just that; I find, writing my PS, I can't describe WHY I like reading and WHAT is fascinating - it just is! I.e. I can't write about lit, which could be a tiny obstacle...