Oxford Chemistry Students and Applicants

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Apologies if this is often asked (I'm not trawling through 81 pages)...

For someone applying for chem with their A levels, as I intend to, what sort of grade profile would put you in a competitive position? The entrance requirements are A*AA but I suspect that, given the quality of application, having 'only' A*AA might actually place you amongst the weaker applications on paper. I suppose this comes down to what the average grades of successful post-A-level applicants are.

Also, though I'm sure it varies a fair bit, how much weight do you think admissions tutors are likely to put on GCSE grades, given an applicant already has A levels?

Thanks

If you meet the entrance requirements, you have a shot of getting a place, although getting better would of course be better and make you look stronger. Just aim to do as well as you can! I got in meeting the entrance requirements exactly. Perhaps if you 'just' get A*AA you might have to perform better at interview but it definitely wouldn't be a reason to get a rejection before interview.

Different tutors will treat GCSEs slightly differently, although I'd imagine not too much attention would be paid with post A-level applicants.

If you've got any other questions about the course, do ask!

Thanks very much. That's pretty much what I assumed, it's just nice to get assurance.

Okey dokey (blank cheque very much appreciated). I'll go for a couple of questions then:

How much biology is covered in the first year and in the second year bio- courses? By 'biology' I suppose I mean stuff which which couldn't reasonably be considered just chemistry. Y'know what, define the boundaries as you wish.

I think I'm going to skip my original second question, 'cause it was dull. Instead, what would you have liked to know before you started the course, and what would you have done to prepare, knowing what you do now?

Thanks again

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KombatWombat has highlighted the main biological aspects of the course. The chemical pharmacology supplementary subject is run jointly with other more biological faculties, so is rather different from the rest of the chemistry course.

There is basically no biology examined in the course:—

• In first year, the organic chemistry paper has two biochemical questions out of 8. You have to answer at least one of them but they're generally very mechanistic and you can often get away with little to no biological knowledge as long as you're good with mechanisms.
• After first year, you don't have to answer any biological chemistry questions. The large course on DNA is interesting but difficult to learn from for the exam question, which means it's very unpopular come exam time. (On the flip side, the bio question tends to be one of the easier ones, in an effort to lure people in.)
• In third year, there are various options courses covering biological topics, but still with a strong chemical theme.

To answer your second question: it's not something that's useful to applicants but the way to go in organic chemistry (at least at Oxford) is to memorize mechanisms and work on the underlying principles afterwards if you have time. The organic chemistry exams don't give you a lot of time so being able to spot things you've seen before is a huge bonus — much better than being able to work through a problem more methodically.

Of more immediate use, I would recommend working through Why chemical reactions happen, as it's pitched at a good level for post-A level students and I found it very handy for interview preparation.

Hi guys, i'm hoping to study chemistry at oxford but lack basic physics knowledge. How essential is physics for the course?

Hi guys, i'm hoping to study chemistry at oxford but lack basic physics knowledge. How essential is physics for the course?

Definitely useful, but by no means essential for admissions. If you applied without physics A-level and very little mechanics in your maths, you might want to go over some basics in the sumer before you start as there is a healthy amount throughout the course.

The physics you need is taught from scratch when you start, so in theory you don't need any physics knowledge — but having some could help in the interview, depending on who's interviewing you. It's more important for your maths to be strong.

I'm an American applying to Oxford for Chemistry after my gap year and I was wondering if I have a shot at interview.

I have an ACT of 34 (34 Math, 31 Science, 36 Reading, 34 Writing) and I have taken two SAT Subjects tests thus far: a 710 in Literature (not a recant subject, I'm aware) and a 740 in molecular biology. I would be taking Math and Chemistry in early October, though I won't be able to send my results until October 30 or so. Would this be a problem? The lack of admissions test both works in my favor (I interview very well), but only if I actually get called in for interview. Any opinion?

Also, I really like chemistry, but I was wondering if anyone ever thinks the course is a bit dry? It is quite a commitment! I was debating between chemistry and biochem but my feeling is that chemistry is broader and also that biochems spend a lot more time in the labs. I like labs, but I don't know if I want to spend all day two days per week in the lab on top of lectures and tutorials.

Not getting results until then won't be a problem at all; just make sure you get a prediction in your reference from your teachers. You'll have a very good chance of getting interviewed - in the past the interview rate has been ~95%. The decision might even be made after results come out; just make sure to make it clear when your results come out.

I'm not sure that biochemists spend much more time in the labs is true - I think we both spend ~ 2 afternoons in the lab each. Chemistry probably is a broader degree, and there's a few bits of biological chemistry that you can specialise in later on (although most avoid like the plague). The biggest selling point of oxfords chemistry course to me was its part II year; a full year in research is pretty unrivalled, even at oxford.

It's dry if you find chemistry dry! It's true that the course is quite restrictive, but it's broad in that you'll be doing things very different to your high school interpretation of what chemistry is; from quantum mechanics all the way to biological chemistry.