Geology/Earth Science Applicants 2012

Do you know much about Oxford, I did okay at AS, not brilliant. Most of my grades were around the 80% mark. Would they consider me for an interview if I'm predicted A*AA? At GCSE I had 6A*'s, 5A's, 1B

I was told a lot about the Earth Science admissions at Oxford when I went there, and even saw a mock interview, it was really helpful. The standard offer for Earth Science is A*AA or AAAA, so they would definitely consider you. A-level maths is a requirement, and at least one of physics and chemistry is highly preferred (I recall him saying nobody has ever got in without either), having both is ideal. It's one of the less popular courses, so they have time to interview everyone with a chance - I think they interview about 98% of applicants. I don't think they look at UMS, if they do they certainly don't put a lot of emphasis on it, it's more about whether they think you can get the required grades. Your GCSEs are up to the standard of people who apply, so they shouldn't be a problem.

One thing the guy did say was they put a hell of a lot of importance on the interviews. I'm not sure if it's a departmental thing, or if they all do it, but it's a really important part of the process as they can see how you think, how you answer questions etc. - it's ultimately what decides your place. I remember him saying they've actually admitted people who didn't even write a personal statement... so it's really the interview that matters.

To answer your question - as long as you're capable of achieving the grades and you meet the requirements, you'll almost certainly get an interview. Good luck.

Ah thats great, I don't know much about the whole Oxford application though, do you think you could explain to me? We had college talks on it but I was undecided what I wanted to do so I gave them a miss, I just dont know the whole choosing a college business and applying early. Hopefully I can find out more on Monday when I got back to college.
Also, did you get any advice on the personal statement? I don't really know what to put down without making it sound cheesy or full of adjectives :/

Do you know much about Oxford, I did okay at AS, not brilliant. Most of my grades were around the 80% mark. Would they consider me for an interview if I'm predicted A*AA? At GCSE I had 6A*'s, 5A's, 1B

Hello Fellow Geologists for 2012 entry: Fredholt56, lilliehear, Lukas1051 and Hash007!!! I have a question, for my choises, Im definately going for 1. Imperial (blown away by the open day, but risky choise), 2. Birmingham (local) and 3. Exeter (lovely campus). For my final choise Im undecided between Durham, Southampton, Leicester and Bristol, does any one have any thoughts - has any one gone to either/ all the open days? which ones would you go for and what is your list so far? thanks

As far as I know, it's relatively simple. You apply for the course you want, and you also choose to apply for a preferred college, you will then have two interviews at that college. They can accept you, accept you but transfer you to a different college if they feel the need to (I could be wrong) or reject you. Alternatively you don't even have to pick a college, you will be interviewed in a random college, and then they'll accept or reject you. Application deadline for Oxford is 15th October, interviews are early/mid December and you stay overnight at a college with an interview on both days.

As for personal statements, what they're really looking for is interest in the subject and academic achievement. They don't really care about extra-curriculars, if you mention them then try to make it relevant. Ideal structure should be about 80% academic, 20% extra curricular. The impression I got is that the personal statement won't have too much of an influence on you gaining a place, not compared to interview performance anyway (although you should still obviously put the maximum effort in). One thing I do remember: they don't like quotes - anyone can use Google, they're looking for something that's original to you.

As far as I know about Ox, they don't ask for UMS scores so you're AS percentages aren't gonna be very important. If you're predicted A*AA and had As at AS and a good PS i would definately expect you to get an interview. I know people who have got into oxford with AABB etc at AS level so it's definitely doable.

Hello, just been speaking to my teachers at college. They said they won't be able to predict me A*AA based on my grades, do I still have a shot at Oxford with AAA? I mean if I do well in an interview would they be able to give me a conditional offer?

Hello Fellow Geologists for 2012 entry: Fredholt56, lilliehear, Lukas1051 and Hash007!!! I have a question, for my choises, Im definately going for 1. Imperial (blown away by the open day, but risky choise), 2. Birmingham (local) and 3. Exeter (lovely campus). For my final choise Im undecided between Durham, Southampton, Leicester and Bristol, does any one have any thoughts - has any one gone to either/ all the open days? which ones would you go for and what is your list so far? thanks

I'm also applying for the Earth Sciences area - I'm thinking Enviro Geoscience looks good!
As for Unis my 3 favourites are Durham, Bristol and Edinburgh, with 'burgh ranking number one (they have an awesome hog roast fast food place!).

Results-wise you first two are frickin' awesome!! Mechanics was such a downer, but I think it was for many who took it - what I'm mainly concerned about is my A in General Studies :P

As for Southampton I really like it, but its very ocean based (located as the national oceanography center) and its a separate campus - so its like a 30min + bus ride from most accommodation (but you get a free pass 1st year)

I've been at Southampton for 3 years now and it's not really ocean based. You're doing a geology degree and as a result you will be studying rocks! The only time you'll find that it's ocean based is parts of the earth and ocean system module, if you're doing an optional oceanography module or if you take a 3rd year module called palaeoclimate change.

Even so, you still need to have some very basic oceanography as it allows you to appreciate the whole earth as a system. Don't let the fact that you're at the national oceanography centre put you off. Also, if you've been to the oceanography centre you'll appreciate how awesome it is! Also, the separate campus isn't an issue, it's just great really because you feel a little bit superior because you can actually find your way around it - unlike the geographers who occasionally have classes down there! Also, if you get a bike in second year like most people do it's only a 15 minute cycle down to NOC... buses take odd routes!

Ah ok I was talking to some people who take geophysics, and they just said they do alot of stuff based on the ocean floor etc But yes it was pretty awesome!

Hello, just been speaking to my teachers at college. They said they won't be able to predict me A*AA based on my grades, do I still have a shot at Oxford with AAA? I mean if I do well in an interview would they be able to give me a conditional offer?

I think they only specify AAA for the course you want to apply for so you should be okay if you have great PS + good interview performance.

oop sorry I must've had the wrong information :/ if you aren't predicted the standard offer then I think your chances are slim

But cant they give me an interview, and say 'A*AA is the offer, if you get it great if not then unlucky'. You're not necessarily going to do exactly how you're predicted.

But cant they give me an interview, and say 'A*AA is the offer, if you get it great if not then unlucky'. You're not necessarily going to do exactly how you're predicted.

I doubt they'd reject you without an interview, Earth Science interviews 95% of candidates, so I imagine the only people they reject straight away are people with absolutely no chance (and I imagine there are people who apply with the completely wrong A-levels or grades). As Zotulla said, lots of teachers don't like predicting A* anyway because it's new, and confusing, and you can't get it at AS (many teachers base it on your AS grades). I think it's definitely worth applying, there's not really anything to lose.