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GCSE Results: 3A*s, 6As and 2Bs. Could I apply to Oxbridge?

Well, obviously I could. Anyone could apply! But do I have a chance?

I know there's loads of threads with this kinda thing and some people think I'm mad thinking about uni now but I need to confirm my AS/A level choices ASAP!

I don't know what to study at uni yet but just generally, would I have any chance of getting in with these grades?

3 A* - English Language / French / Physics

6 A - Maths / Biology / Chemistry / Geography / Business Studies / Food Technology

2 B - English Literature / Art

I've considered doing Maths, Physics (or another science-y degree but not probably not medicine as I don't want to study A level chemistry... there's so many other subjects I wanna do more you see), Business, Pyschology or maybe even French!

The subjects I'm considering for A level are Maths (definite), Physics (sort of definite), Biology, French, Pyschology (sort of definite) and Business Studies (I'll do 4 or 5) depending on timetabling etc.

So whats your gut thoughts?

MissSurfer

PS I was predicted an A* for Maths so I'm a bit annoyed with that A! But I expect I was not far off an A* and hopefully I'll get an A at A level, if that makes any difference.

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Reply 2
Avatar for Jimmy Hill
Jimmy Hill
No definitely not, try Edge Hill, I think that may be more your level.
You're not mad at all for thinking about uni now: I rang up for the Oxford prospectus soon after my GCSE reults came through, and was worrying that that was too late!

3A*s I would say would be a minimum for applying to Oxbridge: there are variouss disagreement as to how far GCSEs/AS levels/Predicted Grades count, and out of those I tend to say the first and the third, however for those who don't have the mythical 10A*s its a good idea to try and impress with your AS levels.

So, definitely apply, its good youre thinking about it early but the only danger perhaps is that youre so undecided as to what you want to do at uni?
Reply 4
Avatar for MissSurfer
MissSurfer
OP
17
Look - I never imagined even applying to Oxbridge. I never thought I was that good. It was only when going to the 6th form open evening at my school that a couple of my teachers started talking about applying for Oxbridge that I thought 'wow! they really think i'd consider applying there?'.

So, I thought I'd post here and ask! I was actually predicted 4A*s, 6As and 1B - slightly better, but I doubt the fact that I got 2 points lower (on the 8 points for an A*, 7 for an A etc thing) leaving me with 78/88 (rather than 80/88) would have made much of a difference.

Anyway...anyone else care to offer their opinion?

MissSurfer
Subjects such as psychology/business studies aren't seen as being the best subjects for Oxbridge but this is all subjective. If you want to do something to do with Science, then I guess you should take the Science A Levels, and maybe French as a broading arts subject? But I took 5 arts subjects so it's not particularly important.
Hmm, I wasn't trying to be negative in any way: people post on here with no A*s at GCSE asking whether they should apply and we always say yes, because its only one space on your UCAS form and not much to lose.

A friend of the family applied years ago for law at Oxford and was told that on paper he was weak (he had 3A*s, some As and some Bs) but because Oxford had written work from him and had interviewed him they didnt see only the one dimension of grades. Your GCSE grades are definitely good, and its worth applying. But if you apply for something sciency beware that the course is incredibly tough - a friend of mine was a typical high flier and sailed through all his exams until he reached Oxford for Physics, and for a time was seriously considering dropping out.

Anyway, this is all anecdotal: my point is you done good, and its also a good sign that youre thinking about this early.

Best of luck!
ProzacNation

3A*s I would say would be a minimum for applying to Oxbridge


Not that I ever applied, but I very much doubt this to be the case. Imagine if your A-Levels are very good, you have an excellent PS, interview very well, are clearly very into what you're applying to study, etc. I can't imagine the admissions tutors sitting there and saying "yes.. this is an exceptional candidate.. but wait, they failed to get a third A* - throw their file in the bin."
Reply 8
Avatar for bikerx23
bikerx23
1
i got 2A*s, 5A's, 2B's, 2C's and i got in...so go for it.
Obviously waiting for your AS results is when you should make the final decision, but aslong as you have approximately what they ask for apply - the worst that could happen is they could reject you :smile:
i actually got AABB as AS, then AAA at A2, so it shows its still worth applying.
Have a plan ready as for what you would ideally want to do (you really need to think about what subject you want to do aswell - you will hopefully get this once you study in more detail now, but you need to be unequivocly commited to your subject in order assist your application - i love my subject, and speaking with enthusiasm.etc. really helps you in the interview, after all, the interviewer has devoted his/her life to that subject!

Jimmy hill you are an absolute c**t. (apologies to everyone else for language)

p.s. :congrats: on the results too!
Reply 9
Avatar for Pixelated
Pixelated
13
Good grades. Yeah, they're more than enough to apply to Oxford/Cambridge. You have an average Oxbridge Admissions score of 6.6 (and you may also get a few more points added when the quality of your school is taken into consideration). Remember grades are only a segment of the application process, but, you've got decent grades there (even by Oxbridge standards) - so good luck to you! :smile:
Reply 10
Avatar for Reynard
Reynard
miss surfer your gcse grades are fine and dandy. no problem, good enough for oxford. the main thing is doing well at the a levels you choose, so that you get a good reference and grade prediction from teachers. also i agree that oxford probably isn't so keen on subjects that are not traditional. even if you wanted to do psychology at oxford, biology probably looks better than psychology at a level.
so my advice is this. pick a levels that you think you can do well in. especially traditional subjects. work hard. a bit later on decide whether to apply for oxford or not. there you go. simple as that.


MissSurfer
Well, obviously I could. Anyone could apply! But do I have a chance?

I know there's loads of threads with this kinda thing and some people think I'm mad thinking about uni now but I need to confirm my AS/A level choices ASAP!

I don't know what to study at uni yet but just generally, would I have any chance of getting in with these grades?

3 A* - English Language / French / Physics

6 A - Maths / Biology / Chemistry / Geography / Business Studies / Food Technology

2 B - English Literature / Art

I've considered doing Maths, Physics (or another science-y degree but not probably not medicine as I don't want to study A level chemistry... there's so many other subjects I wanna do more you see), Business, Pyschology or maybe even French!

The subjects I'm considering for A level are Maths (definite), Physics (sort of definite), Biology, French, Pyschology (sort of definite) and Business Studies (I'll do 4 or 5) depending on timetabling etc.

So whats your gut thoughts?

MissSurfer

PS I was predicted an A* for Maths so I'm a bit annoyed with that A! But I expect I was not far off an A* and hopefully I'll get an A at A level, if that makes any difference.
Reply 11
Avatar for bikerx23
bikerx23
1
ohyea...one more thing misssurfer - ignore all of these embittered throwbacks, unsuccesful applicants or just plain jealous ar5eholes - jealousy is a terrible thing, so just go for it.
How do you work out the admissions score? A* A B C D E F G, what are they worth, thanks. :smile:
Reply 13
Avatar for kiaora
kiaora
1
there is nothing to 'stop' you from applying, so i would go for it. a guy from my school got rejected, despite having 8A*s and 2As, as well as 4As at A-Level got rejected. he had no social skills whatsoever and failed to convey any passion in the interviews for his subject. on the other hand, people with far lower than those grades get in, because they have that something extra, that loads of A*s won't neccessarily give you. read around your subject, and good luck.
Reply 14
Avatar for RichE
RichE
15
alexsmithson
How do you work out the admissions score? A* A B C D E F G, what are they worth, thanks. :smile:


I think it's 8 for an A* down to 1 for a G, 0 for U
Reply 15
Avatar for freddie88
freddie88
5
It's only one place on your application form out of six. Apply to a range of unis so even if you get rejected from a couple you'll still have ones that you like and will be happy to go to :smile:

I suggest you work quite hard next year to get all As in your AS levels. GCSEs aren't really that important once you've got A levels.
Firstly, congratulations to the OP. Secondly, work as hard as you can at AS and A2 level. Thirdly, it does concern me a little that you're not thinking about what you want to study, but where you want to study it. If I were you I'd think about a subject choice, and then find out where the best places are for that course. It's not *always* Oxbridge :smile:
You should go to oxbridge because you like the course, not because of the place or the name. Firstly you should decide what you want to do at uni and then you should consider whether oxford or cambridge are suitable.

MB
Reply 18
Avatar for Che!
Che!
11
GO FOR IT...Ive Got 2A*s 2A 4B and a C and im still going to apply!
Make sure you can convey your love for your subject - seems to be the trick!

:smile:
notyourpunk
i wouldnt bother to be honest, they dont like arrogant ****swho do badly at gcse and try and dress it up. try city university or thames valley, seems more your calibre

Whoa, what's your problem?

MissSurfer: anyone with a real passion and talent for their chosen degree subject should get an offer pretty much regardless of their GCSE grades; they are after all looking for potential. However, musicbloke is right: you should make sure you've chosen the subject first - remember Oxford and Cambridge may not even offer the course you decide you want to do, or they may well not be the best in the country for it.

For example, Business is not something you can do a three-year degree in at Cambridge (you'd have to do something else and shine enough to be accepted to the Judge Institute for your final year to do Management, and I'm not sure Business itself can be studied at all); nor for that matter is Psychology (you'd have to go via the SPS or NatSci tripos, depending on whether you wanted your degree to be more or less scientific (presumably), and specialise in your final year). You also can't take straight physics - all the sciences can be studied through the Natural Sciences Tripos, which is brilliant if you want to keep your studies a bit broader, but terrible if you're utterly keen on one science to the exclusion of all others - though you can do Maths with Physics.

Basically what I'm trying to say is DO choose your course first, because what is most important at the end of the day is that you come away with a good grade in your finals; and if you study a subject you don't enjoy you're less likely to get as good a grade. So the subject is a priority; once you've decided what you want to do, then see if Oxford or Cambridge offer it.

But in answer to your original question (sorry!) - no, those grades shouldn't hold you back particularly in themselves, since I know several people with equal or worse ones.

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