should I apply or am I waisting my time

Well between now and when I am applying to university I cannot improve my grades any more. So unless I get predicted an A by physics or economics I'm screwed. Oh well, I better beg my teachers! After all I will resit as many times as I need to until I get it.

It has to be physics you get the a in for Oxford.

We wouldn't automatically throw out your application just because you weren't predicted A*AA, but it would definitely be a negative point on your application. The tutors of course prefer not to see resits, but again it's not a deal-breaker. The tutors are looking to get an overall impression of what you can do, and may be willing to ignore a poorer point on your application if they think other things give a fairer impression of what you can do. In order to be offered a place you would need to do very well in other parts of the application process, and convince the tutors you would go on to achieve A*AA at A2. If you were offered a place you'd then have until the August before you joined us in October to meet these conditions (ie get the A*AA.) The tutors have all your information (aptitude test scores, GCSE grades, reference, etc) when deciding who to interview. As most people have similar predicted grades aptitude test scores are more important in deciding who to interview.

Thank you so much for this reply. You've Clarified a lot of things for me here. And yes, of course the rest of the application would be extra important, I know. I thought that an application wouldn't be instantly rejected due to this, it seemed a bit harsh. Based on all of this, would you recommend me applying, might as well I take a shot at it?

I'm pretty sure that's a load of rubbish, simply an attempt to draw away the opinion that Oxford is the elitist institution that it is.. But anyway, just my opinion.

If what you say is true what's the point in having grade requirements for applications if you're still going to look at applications with lower grades, surely that defeats the object? I'm pretty sure that the first way of eliminating people from the mass of applications is the ones who's grades do not meet the requirements, with the exception of those with extenuating circumstances .


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You're welcome. Nothing you've said makes me think you'd be automatically out of the running: some students do have an off exam or two at AS level and bounce back by A2. You're doing a good set of A Levels subjects for us, and your GCSE results are about what we normally see from successful applicants. The lower predicted grade is a negative, but not necessarily an insurmountable one, as it's only predicted. But you've got to apply in order for us to consider you. Your chances of getting an offer really will depend on how you do in the aptitude test and interview (if invited), which I really can't predict your performance in. Some students who look great on paper really struggle with it; sometimes students who look weaker in their UCAS form really excel in it. You might find it useful to go through some of the past papers of the aptitude tests and see how you get on. Anything over 50% and you're doing well. There's also some guidance on how to prepare for interviews. (We normally suggest spending some time explaining to a your Mum/Dad something you're studying in one of your Maths/Science A Levels (assuming that said parent isn't a scientist themselves, but you get the idea) so you get used to explaining complex, technical ideas out loud.)