Oxford Admissions for Physics

Is it true that they rank you (after interview) according to just your interview and PAT scores, and then they look at your academic record to decide which ones in the top 300 get places? If so does this mean that they don't take any of your existing grades into account until then? I have decent grades and was hoping they'd have a significant positive impact on my chances of success (contemplating applying for Cambridge instead if they don't)

Is it true that they rank you (after interview) according to just your interview and PAT scores, and then they look at your academic record to decide which ones in the top 300 get places? If so does this mean that they don't take any of your existing grades into account until then? I have decent grades and was hoping they'd have a significant positive impact on my chances of success (contemplating applying for Cambridge instead if they don't)

I think they mainly judge you on your PAT score and interview. Your predicted grades are obviously very important too but if you're predicted say 4 A*s and score low on PAT, I'm not sure they'll still consider you (don't quote me on that!) As for existing grades, I'm not sure Oxford look at them in great detail, but even so, the fact that you achieved strong AS grades provides all the more reason for your teachers to predict you top grades in your A Levels. You can't read straight physics or any science for that matter at Cambridge... I'm applying to Oxford for physics

That question is a bit more specific than any question an admissions tutor is likely to want to answer. The main line on this is that it's a holistic process (provided you have/are predicted to have the required grades). They take everything into account, apparently, although some things are obviously more important than others (e.g. a stellar personal statement is unlikely to make up for low grades).

I have seen Cambridge admissions tutors on their Ask an Admissions Tutor (AAT) threads say that they tend to put more weight on how the candidate is on paper if the interview performance is less than stellar but don't think of that as general advice though. It might just be that particular college and there have probably been instances when candidates with excellent academics have been rejected after a stumbling interview performance.

It's slightly different for me since I've already got my A*A*A*A haha. Also at Cambridge I'd be able to just do CompSci and Earth Sciences in my first year before specialising to Physics. I reckon I'll do well on the PAT but the idea that Oxford don't pay that much attention to grades when I've got a decent record does tempt me to go for NatSci

If you've already got 3A*s and an A then of course they'll look at them! Well done btw I thought from your previous question that you were refering to your AS's ahhaha

Cheers haha, the whole thing just seems so bloody difficult to get an offer! Where are you applying?

Oxford, Durham, Warwick, St Andrews and Southampton. Predicted A*A*A* in maths (already done), further maths and physics. Also doing STEP which is a bloody nightmare! you?

What college at Oxford? And Oxford/Cambridge, Durham, Imperial, Bristol and probably Manchester/Edinburgh. Haha I'd much rather take a 4th A level than STEP

Magdalen! What A Levels do you do? STEP is a bitch You applying for physics?

Woah Magdalen terrified me haha, love the deer park though. The A*s are in maths f maths physics and the A was in history. I'm unsure as to whether to apply for Physics & Philosophy at Oxford or Physical Natural Sciences at Cambridge. The other options are a mix of Physics, Physics with a year in Europe and Physics and Philosophy

Why did it terrify you? haha

It's very competitive, George Osborne went there and it has a (presumably extremely exaggerated) reputation for not being the most friendly of colleges haha

Looks like I chose the wrong college then haha

It's slightly different for me since I've already got my A*A*A*A haha. Also at Cambridge I'd be able to just do CompSci and Earth Sciences in my first year before specialising to Physics. I reckon I'll do well on the PAT but the idea that Oxford don't pay that much attention to grades when I've got a decent record does tempt me to go for NatSci

Same here. I already have my final IB results so the main reason I picked Oxford is bc of my HL subjects . My options would have been a bit limited if I applied for NatSci.

What HL subjects did you do?

Has anyone applied for physics at Merton? And good luck guys for the PAT on Wednesday, I'm terrified!


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