Oxford Applicants 2016 Entry & Interview chat

Anybody else doing MLAT or OLAT? The OLAT is quite fun I'm finding, but the MLAT is not.

May I ask you how did you enter your ICSE marks via UCAS? does it immediately get converted to grades and if it does, what are the grade boundaries? ICSE student here.. Thank you!

I'm still waiting on mine >.< they said tomorrow maximum, I hope they keep their promise! Good luck with yours!

Hi everyone,

I have written my PS and am happy with it.

I want to read Classics 1A at St John's.

However, in the last few weeks I have been considering a deferred entry for 2017, I want to spend a year broadening my experience of life, writing and travelling (in part in the Classical world), before thrusting into 4 years of solid hard work.

However, my dilemma is that I know that this will make it harder to gain a place and there will inevitably be concerns that my Latin and Greek with diminish in that year - I do intend to keep studying, though obviously at a lesser intensity to my current Pre-U work.

The Faculty of Classics FAQ is more positive on gap years than I thought they'd be - but am I shooting myself in the foot?

Any thoughts would be very welcome - I know I have left this very late!!

Gerry.

Hi there,

I probably won't be a massive help. But I have applied to Oxford for deferred 2017 entry for French and Hebrew and I think that if a gap year is something you want to do, you should totally do it. Gap years can be a waste of time, but if you use your year wisely and make the most of extra opportunities, as it sounds like you are thinking of doing, then they can also be really valuable. I asked at the open day and the Modern Languages faculty said that taking a gap year would not disadvantage you and that, if you were good enough to do direct entry, you would be considered for deferred entry. The only cases where they would actively discriminate against a gap year candidate is if they had wasted the year snorkelling in Thailand or something.

Basically, what I am trying to say is that you shouldn't be afraid of taking a gap year because you think that it will ruin your chances, it probably won't. And if it does affect them, the beauty of a gap year is that you can reapply with all of your extra experience and confirmed A level grades the next year.

Don't stress and good luck deciding!

The only problem I could see is from the automated system in UCAS that compares personal statements with ones from previous years, but is there an actual person who looks at these situations and says "oh yeah this is the same person" or no?

GCSEs: 3A*s, 5A and a B
A Levels: English Lit, History and Politics (AAA and a B in maths at AS)
Predicted: A*A*A*
Course: English Lanaguage and Literature
College: University

Hi! I'm applying to Oxford's English and Modern Languages course (my modern language being French) for 2016 entry, and I was wondering if there were any other applicants applying from the U.S.? I'd love to discuss the application process with you! Also, if any students have advice for studying for the MLAT, it'd be greatly appreciated! I'm worried that my experience studying language in the U.S. won't compare to that of those studying British A levels :/

I'm applying from the US, but I'm applying for Mathematics with Computer Science, so I'm taking the MAT. My counselor refused to give predicted grades, so that'll be interesting. Also, UCAS is so much easier to use than the common app. What're your test scores and AP's you're taking this year? Mine are:

2190 SAT, 800 M, 770 CR, 620 W

Math Scores:
740 Math 2 SAT2 (10th grade)
800 Math 2 SAT2(11th grade)
5 Calculus BC, with 5 for AB subscore
I'm taking Multivariable Calculus and Linear Algebra this year

Physics Scores:
750 SAT2
3 Physics 1
Taking Physics C both parts

Humanities Scores:
770 World History SAT2
760 Literature SAT2
5 World History
5 Lang
4 US History
Taking Lit, Comparative Gov, and US Gov.

I couldn't take AP computer science because of a schedule conflict
I'm a bit worried about APUSH and Physics 1, but I had my counselor mention in her reference that both of those exams were substantially changed last year.

SAT 620 M 800 CR 700 W
I also took the October SAT, but I'm still waiting on those scores to come in.
In the past I've taken AP Human Geography, World History, Art History, Physics 1 (if it comforts you at all, I didn't even pass this one), U.S. History, and Language and Comp. This year, I'm taking AP Govt., Microeconomics, Lit. and Comp., European History, and Environmental Science. I'm in level 4 French, but it's the same class period and course material as AP French 5, so I'll likely be taking that test as well.
It's interesting to hear that you've been having difficulty with your counselor because mine's been giving me some trouble too. My AP English and Comp. teacher wrote my reference letter though.
Where are you taking your exams? I can't believe there are only 5 centers in the U.S.! The center I'm going to is charging $250 a test, which I personally think is an awfully high price to take a couple of tests that give me a chance of getting an interview that gives me the chance of being accepted. Is it the same for you?

Contrary to your opening words, that has in fact been very helpful!

I think I will sleep on it, but I am inclined to apply for deferred entry.


Very best,
G

Hi everyone,

I have written my PS and am happy with it.

I want to read Classics 1A at St John's.

However, in the last few weeks I have been considering a deferred entry for 2017, I want to spend a year broadening my experience of life, writing and travelling (in part in the Classical world), before thrusting into 4 years of solid hard work.

However, my dilemma is that I know that this will make it harder to gain a place and there will inevitably be concerns that my Latin and Greek with diminish in that year - I do intend to keep studying, though obviously at a lesser intensity to my current Pre-U work.

The Faculty of Classics FAQ is more positive on gap years than I thought they'd be - but am I shooting myself in the foot?

Any thoughts would be very welcome - I know I have left this very late!!

Gerry.

I can't be of any assistance whatsoever regarding how taking a gap year would affect your application, but I did just want to say that I would definitely recommend going travelling.

I went all over the place in 2012 - Australia, the US, South America and a bunch of places in between, and I can say it was easily the best thing I have ever done. It's kind of cliched to say it's life changing, but it really is! And you would come back to 'work' completely refreshed.

Not sure how much travelling you would do etc, and, like I said, maybe this would harm your application, I really have no idea about that. But I am sure that you would have an amazing time if you decided to take a year out and see the world. And I just felt obliged to say that!

I'm taking mine at the British international school of Washington DC. They "only" charged me $135. At least the UCAS application fee is really low. I found the UCAS personal statement to be way easier to write than the common app one. Are you applying to US schools or just UK schools?

I'd hate to be kept waiting like that, it would drive me mad. My school has many faults, bt it is really good at UCAS!