How important are gcse&#x27;s in applying to oxford

hello there... just wanted to ask. I have just finished my IGCSEs... i have definitely got 6 A*s, the rest maybe A* or A´s and probably 1B... In year 11 i also took the full spanish A level in that one year.. I think i got an A or A* in it.. AND i did half of my Maths A-level and got A and an A/B (on border for grade A i think) in core 1 and 2... i would very much like to apply to Oxford university.. i mean, would i have an actual chance competing against the vast majority of GENIUSES.. Would that B let me down?

I am very determined, but of course, sometimes that is not enough :/ .. advice would be very much appreciated. Do not be afraid to simply tell me that I dont have a chance.. i would not be offended AT ALL

)!

Reply 64

Original post by costme

hello there... just wanted to ask. I have just finished my IGCSEs... i have definitely got 6 A*s, the rest maybe A* or A´s and probably 1B... In year 11 i also took the full spanish A level in that one year.. I think i got an A or A* in it.. AND i did half of my Maths A-level and got A and an A/B (on border for grade A i think) in core 1 and 2... i would very much like to apply to Oxford university.. i mean, would i have an actual chance competing against the vast majority of GENIUSES.. Would that B let me down?

I am very determined, but of course, sometimes that is not enough :/ .. advice would be very much appreciated. Do not be afraid to simply tell me that I dont have a chance.. i would not be offended AT ALL

)!

Geniuses? Hardly :P I got in :L

Sounds like you got a shot at it, what course?

Reply 65

Original post by Veeee

Geniuses? Hardly :P I got in :L

Sounds like you got a shot at it, what course?

hahahaha... you see, your not just a genius but you are also humble !!!! :smile:

I want to study law, but i am willing to study an alternative subject like history, english or even philosophy (but not anywhere in the sciences xD!) ... what are you studying?

Reply 66

nexttime

22

Original post by costme

hahahaha... you see, your not just a genius but you are also humble !!!! :smile:

I want to study law, but i am willing to study an alternative subject like history, english or even philosophy (but not anywhere in the sciences xD!) ... what are you studying?

Your grades are fine for an application.

My only comment would be that your priorities seem a little odd currently - your subject is the thing you will be dedicating 3/4/more years of your life to studying. Oxford is just the place where the learning happens. It is the subject that should have priority over the university, not the other way around. Don't compromise your degree by going for a subject you wouldn't enjoy as much just for a slightly increased chance of getting in to Oxford.

Reply 67

Original post by costme

hahahaha... you see, your not just a genius but you are also humble !!!! :smile:

I want to study law, but i am willing to study an alternative subject like history, english or even philosophy (but not anywhere in the sciences xD!) ... what are you studying?

Haha thankyou but seriously, genius? naaa :tongue:

Im going to be starting Economics and Management in the summer. But I do agree with other posters, whilst Oxford is a great Uni, you shouldnt choose your uni then your course...

At interviews and throughout applications they will want to see a flair for your subject, a real passion. Commit to one of those over the summer after doing some extra reading and seeing which one you like best.

If you cant help wanting to apply for oxford, no matter what the course, which I do not recommend, then you ought to have a look at the applicants/ place for those courses. Law for example is HIGHLY competitive, thus harder to get into and inherently higher GCSEs expected.

Reply 68

Davelittle

13

Original post by LordVoldemort1

Are you sure they said that? Cambridge are not as well.. anal about GCSE results as Oxford are.

I got an interview from Cambridge (which I messed up) with 3A* 2A's (rest B's)

Yup the economics guy said it!

Reply 69

Original post by Veeee

Haha thankyou but seriously, genius? naaa :tongue:

Im going to be starting Economics and Management in the summer. But I do agree with other posters, whilst Oxford is a great Uni, you shouldnt choose your uni then your course...

At interviews and throughout applications they will want to see a flair for your subject, a real passion. Commit to one of those over the summer after doing some extra reading and seeing which one you like best.

If you cant help wanting to apply for oxford, no matter what the course, which I do not recommend, then you ought to have a look at the applicants/ place for those courses. Law for example is HIGHLY competitive, thus harder to get into and inherently higher GCSEs expected.

I guess you are right. I am very interested in Law and I would very much like to take that course..but history, english and philosophy are also courses that i am very interested in. So i would not really be putting the university first.

If i can't do either 4 then i WILL turn to other universities..

Economics... im taking that as an A-level next year!! great course *GENIUSSS*

Reply 70

Can you make an application for more than one course at Oxford? Or do you have to commit to only one?

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 71

Original post by costme

Can you make an application for more than one course at Oxford? Or do you have to commit to only one?

Only one course. Otherwise you wouldnt be showing a passion for that one subject :wink:

You also can not apply to cambridge if you apply to oxford.
Basically, between all of cambridge courses and all of oxford courses, you can pick only one.

Reply 72

nexttime

22

Original post by Veeee

Haha thankyou but seriously, genius? naaa :tongue:

Im going to be starting Economics and Management in the summer...

In the summer huh?! That's an entire season before anyone else! That guys claim that you're a genius seems more and more likely :wink:

Reply 73