Oxbridge FAQ!

don't put down anything you've learned from them unless you're confident of talking about them at interview.

In which case, have you really learned anything at all?

These questions might be a little weird but I hope someone can help me with them! ^^

1) How come some schools have wayyy more people getting accepted into Oxford than Cambridge, or vice versa?
At my school, I think it's something like for every 8 Oxbridge aaceptances, only 1 is for Cambs.

I really don't get it! Aren't the two unis pretty similar in what they are looking for?

2) For Oxford, we know they select people for interview based on their BMAT to GCSE chart (http://www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/study/medicine/courses/preclin/applying/assessingchances)
So let's say someone has 70% A*s at GCSE and so they need to be in the top 38% for BMAT, so does that mean if that person did achieve that, he/she will be selected for interview automatically?
Is it very possible for someone who satisfies the BMAT and GCSE chart who don't get automatically shortlisted for interview?

3) Who puts a much bigger emphasise on BMAT? Cambridge or Oxford?

4) I've heard some colleges gives out interviews before the BMAT resutls are out, is it more advantageous to apply to those colleges if you want to do medicine/Vet med/physiology and etc?

5)How hard is it to study medicine at Oxbridge? What kind of person are the medicine courses suited to? Those who can cope with lots of independent learning/studying?

Thanks!

Do the A-level you enjoy most. Seriously, it won't make a difference whether you do Chem or Eng lit for A-level. Unless you're planning on being a doctor, in which case Chem might be better.

And no, admissions tutors at Oxford and Cambridge don't (and shouldn't...) give a toss about your extra-curriculars. Concentrate on getting decent AS grades and reading around your prospective subject(s) - it'll be better for you in the long run. (Though bear in mind that other unis might want to see some extra-currics on your UCAS form.)

Are you really sure about that? Because I really don't want to play higher-league ruby, having loads of work experience etc just for the sake of Oxbridge

Also, I know you can put ECs in your PS, but I feel they will take up too much space. Is there a place in the UCAS form excluding PS where you can put your ECs?

Also, if you took subjects like Business Studies, Citizenship, ICT, Sociology, Psychology, Textiles, Art etc AT GCSE and got good grades in them, will it disadvantage your application as they are not really "respected subjects"?

thank you.

For the the admissions tutors and interviewers whom I have spoken to (from both universities), yes.

No, the UCAS form doesn't have any extra space for extra-curriculars: the PS is for both academic and non-academic achievements. A good personal statement should balance both.

GCSEs are one of the less important parts of your application. What really matters is that you got good grades in subjects related to your degree. So no, not really. Though obviously, good grades in everything is ideal.

Well obviously, you'd hardly give a second look to a Physics applicant taking Drama, Photography, DT and Accounting would you?

hey you all,

Which university do you consider to be more "hardcore" in their subjects, say, for the really tough courses like medicine?

Yes, both universities are hard work but somehow, Cambridge uni kind of gives me this impression of being more pressurised working environment compared to Oxford. o__O whereas Oxford seem to be more of the type "study hard, play hard" type of uni.

Im a international student who will be taking GCSE A level.

May i know what are the differences between A level and AS level?

Maximising your chance of getting in:

AS/A2 choices:

AS/A2 choices should be as academic as possible. If [...] you've got a choice between a well respected subject and a one viewed a soft touch (say, history or critical thinking) do the respected one.

What? Since when was History a "soft touch"? Cambridge University themselves say that it is a "keystone" Arts subject.

Private school think they're discriminated against, state schools think they're the ones with the raw deal; when in reality, everyone's treated equally. It's just another excuse for why people get rejected; when the only reason people are is, quiet simply, they're not good enough.

On a side note, it also interesting how people think admission tutor will know every single private school in the country. Yes the top public school are well known, but the local independent school down the road which charges £1,500 a term, and is no better than a good comprehensive will not be known to every admissions person.