Oxford Applicants 2016 Entry & Interview chat

Who else is going to the open day next week (July 1st)? I'm so nervous. I have gotten so many mixed signals about GCSEs and it's starting to confuse me so much.

Try not to worry about it (I know it's difficult!)

GCSEs are only one part of the application. They also have your PS, reference, AS (or equivalent), any admissions tests you need to do and your interviews.

You can't change your GCSEs now, so channel the nervous energy about them into putting your all into tests, your personal statement and interviews.

Hopefully the day will be really enjoyable, make the most of it and ask as many questions as you can. As someone who gives a lot of tours, there's nothing worse than people not asking questions!

Hi,

Could I possibly PM you about this? I'm so concerned and confused about it but I just want a straight answer. If someone said, "I really don't see it happening, sorry" for a genuine reasons - I would take it on the chin.

Thanks for this, by the way. It's helpful!

Jay x

I went to a masterclass at Cambridge yesterday, and now I"m having trouble deciding whether I would prefer Oxford or Cambridge:

I want to study Maths & Comp Sci, which is already one thing Oxford has over Cambridge, as Cam only has single CS or major/minor CS/maths.

However, after visiting Cambridge's colleges, I instinctively felt drawn to one of their colleges (St. John's), whereas I haven't had this with Oxford.

Then, after a maths open day @ Oxford, I decided I love the course in all its fantastic glory.

I feel like Oxford is more urban/"city" than Cambridge, which is slightly smaller, and I"m definitely a city girl (I could never go to a university in the middle of nowhere.

(i know this sounds ridiculous) but in my school, the majority of Oxbridge applicants are applying to Cambridge, and it's making me question whether I'm missing something about Cambridge, which is really drawing in loads of people at school.

Anyway, can anyone who has any insight into the matter/is also having trouble deciding etc. give any advice to help me out with my decision? :s

Also, I've heard rumours that Cambridge is better with the sciences (which is why I'm still debating this) and Oxford is better for the arts-- can anyone confirm or bust this myth?

Being an Oxford hopeful, I should probably write something here too, so hi everyone!

I'm an international student too, from Switzerland. I honestly have no idea how good my chances are... I have no idea what kind of grades anyone who's been accepted to Oxford from Switzerland has had, so hmm. Our grading system goes from 1 to 6, and Oxford says it expects a 5.0 in each subject. I have an average of about 5.5 at the moment, but then again, everyone on this thread has amazing grades, so yeah...

I also do some volunteering for political and LGBT organizations. Then there's typical hobby stuff, choir, theater, piano... and I did an exchange year in China. Does Oxford like languages? Do they take them into account during the admissions process?

I'm going for PPE, possibly at Magdalen, but I'm going to wait until after the Open Days to decide.

I'd like to but I'm afraid I won't be there in July I was thinking of coming in September but Oxford is open to public on the 18th and I have IELTS exam the next day soo it's definitely a mess!

The college fee is only paid by Overseas students and is in addition to rent and food etc, it covers academic facilities and other facilities so things like tutors as you mentioned.


Accommodation wise for Medicine - you definitely get accommodation for the first three years. Then I believe the course works in that you have to re-apply to Oxford for the clinical 3 years. If you then came back to Univ, I believe they offer you first year on-site, and then you can live in the off-site annexe for the last 2 years. By this point though you may prefer to rent a house of your own and live out

I went to a masterclass at Cambridge yesterday, and now I"m having trouble deciding whether I would prefer Oxford or Cambridge:

I want to study Maths & Comp Sci, which is already one thing Oxford has over Cambridge, as Cam only has single CS or major/minor CS/maths.

However, after visiting Cambridge's colleges, I instinctively felt drawn to one of their colleges (St. John's), whereas I haven't had this with Oxford.

Then, after a maths open day @ Oxford, I decided I love the course in all its fantastic glory.

I feel like Oxford is more urban/"city" than Cambridge, which is slightly smaller, and I"m definitely a city girl (I could never go to a university in the middle of nowhere.

(i know this sounds ridiculous) but in my school, the majority of Oxbridge applicants are applying to Cambridge, and it's making me question whether I'm missing something about Cambridge, which is really drawing in loads of people at school.

Anyway, can anyone who has any insight into the matter/is also having trouble deciding etc. give any advice to help me out with my decision? :s

Also, I've heard rumours that Cambridge is better with the sciences (which is why I'm still debating this) and Oxford is better for the arts-- can anyone confirm or bust this myth?

I would deeply appreciate anyone who can provide the answer to this question:
For medicine, is it easier to get into oxford or Cambridge? Cambridge have roughly 250 places to oxfords 150 (based on last years figures) but there is a higher applicantlace ratio at cambridge than at oxford. My main priority is to go to Oxbridge as I want to pursue an academic career in medicine at the top universities. I received 12 A*s at GCSE and hope to average at least 90% UMS across my best 3 AS levels. Any advice on where to apply, oxford or cambridge? Also to which college. I was thinking Trinity at cambridge or somewhere like Christ church at oxford, basically a large, sporty, grand college with a good choir.

Thank you in advance.

Hey if you want me to take some notes for you or ask any specific questions then I'd be happy to! My school is taking a few of us and we have a residential so I'll have a chance to talk to admissions tutors and those who interview privately before the open day itself

Hi OxSarah,

Open Days are the best time to visit since the whole University is geared up for visitors and many students and Tutors are available to answer questions.
You can, however, visit Oxford at other times. If you let the colleges you are interested know, it may be possible to find a current student to show you around and answer questions about your course. A number of undergraduates work as volunteers for the UNIQ summer schools and/or have lab placements or work part-time for the conference office, particularly in June/July. My advice is to contact the relevant Schools liaison Officer - at Brasenose this is Joe organ [email protected]

We get visitors all year round. The Porters' lodge always has prospectuses to hand out and are very happy to let prospective applicants look round. If you ask, they will phone through to the Admissions Office and if someone is free they will come down to show you areas that have restricted access and are happy to answer questions.

A language is obviously a great skill to have, but I'm not sure it is much of a factor in a PPE application. However, you could relate your fluency in the language to the subject - perhaps via demonstration of an affinity for Chinese politics or philosophical thought.
I did something similar in my PPE application with French.

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Yes I'm a prospective medic. No I haven't entered any competitions as I didn't know of their existence before you mentioned them. But I'm presuming you entered a few, how did you do?

What is a competitive MAT score for Maths and Computer Science at Oxford? Because I just got 82% in a practice paper and I have no idea how good that is.
Also, is anyone else applying for Maths and CompSci? Do you know any good books to read?

What is a competitive MAT score for Maths and Computer Science at Oxford? Because I just got 82% in a practice paper and I have no idea how good that is.