Oxford Applicants 2016 Entry & Interview chat

IMHO......

There are always going to be exceptions, where someone might get low grades but with extenuating circumstances, but I suspect that normal looks like 7+ A*s.

But for 'the lowest', I think this really depends on the circumstances.

If a student's mother dies 2 weeks before GCSE exams then 1 A, 7 Bs and 2 Cs might be acceptable, if everything else is spankingly good.

Also, as we all know, an offer is based on many elements including AS results, Oxford's own tests, PS, school reference and the interview, as well as GCSE's.....

...but assuming no extenuating circumstances and averagely brilliant other elements then I would assume that (say) 4*'s and the rest A's would not be good enough.

Oxford are looking for the brightest and the best and GCSE's are just another clue as to whether you are up to it - most are not.

Gerry

"4*'s and the rest A's would not be good enough." Speaking as someone with an offer with 4A*, 5As and 3Bs (and no extenuating circumstances) - not true! The average number of A* may well be around 7, but that means there are plenty of people below and above because of how averages are calculated

...or maybe I have an Oxford voice and a Cambridge voice

I like Cambridge voice more our chatterbox population made you be

I am a complex dude and I have multitudinous aspects to my being, but deep down I'm very shallow.



PS That banana is just groooving.

Hi all,
I'm a 2017 hopeful sorry to jump on the thread!
I'm in the middle of my GCSEs, hoping for about 7A*s and the rest As... with the exception of maths. I rarely get above a strong C, and it sticks out like a sore thumb!
I want to apply for a dual Politics-History degree, so Maths is pretty unrelated. Do you think it'll hinder my application?
I've got horses and compete heavily in dressage, I've had a job as a stablehand for 3 years but I'm quitting to get a 'real' job and I'm looking to do charity work in the next year. I'm also looking at setting up a business. I read a lot on my subjects and I'm aiming for 90%+ in my A-levels (History, Business, Psychology, and English Lit). Politics clashed with History, sadly
What are my chances? Should I stop worrying about Maths?

Hi all,
I'm a 2017 hopeful sorry to jump on the thread!
I'm in the middle of my GCSEs, hoping for about 7A*s and the rest As... with the exception of maths. I rarely get above a strong C, and it sticks out like a sore thumb!
I want to apply for a dual Politics-History degree, so Maths is pretty unrelated. Do you think it'll hinder my application?
I've got horses and compete heavily in dressage, I've had a job as a stablehand for 3 years but I'm quitting to get a 'real' job and I'm looking to do charity work in the next year. I'm also looking at setting up a business. I read a lot on my subjects and I'm aiming for 90%+ in my A-levels (History, Business, Psychology, and English Lit). Politics clashed with History, sadly
What are my chances? Should I stop worrying about Maths?

It may be too late to address your problems with Maths (if you have not taken papers then concentrating on this subject during revision may help) and you won't know for sure how you have done until August. I would suggest assessing the position then. Maths is a facilitating subject so in the event it does prove an outlier, I would suggest discussing the option of re-taking the GCSE with your teachers since it is easier to gain the basic competence needed throughout your career at school than to acquire it later.

Generally, if you mess up one subject (say, Maths, for example) but do well at GCSE overall and the subject in question is not being carried-on or relevant to your final degree course choice, does it matter too much?

No.

Great! Are you going to make a direct application? What are you hoping to study?

Yes I think I will make a direct one, hopefjully chinese!

OMG same! Haha do you do an A level in Chinese? What are your grades?

Ah cool No I don't chinese but I'm hoping for 3-4 As and 1-2 Bs

I have seen no one applying for Chinese/Oriental Studies, are there any orientalists out there?