The Official "Oxford or Cambridge?" Thread

I know that. What I said weren't excuses, at the end of the day it came down to poor Academical perfomances. What I asked was not to do with the jump from year 10 to year 11, but bearing in mind if I manage to get top A-Level grades, would I still be considered, or would I be disqualified from being offered a place at those Universities, because of my poor GCSE's?

Your grades won't stop you but you might want to tone down the arrogance in the way you speak about your potential...lots of people mess around at GCSE (me included, and before you ask, I go to Oxford so do know the system) but don't come across as feeling entitled when they don't get 13 perfect A*s...your grades are okay but you'll need to do very well at AS and have good extra-curricular to prove your dedication to whichever subject you choose...Sorry to come across as a bit harsh but it will help you in the long run...trust me.

You would still be considered and you have a chance with Oxford/Cambridge if you do well on your AS levels. The only real warning would be for Universities which are reputed for being picky about A levels (LSE springs to mind).

Otherwise, good AS grades generally cancel out average GCSE grades.

Your grades won't stop you but you might want to tone down the arrogance in the way you speak about your potential...lots of people mess around at GCSE (me included, and before you ask, I go to Oxford so do know the system) but don't come across as feeling entitled when they don't get 13 perfect A*s...your grades are okay but you'll need to do very well at AS and have good extra-curricular to prove your dedication to whichever subject you choose...Sorry to come across as a bit harsh but it will help you in the long run...trust me.

I think it is to do with volunteer work, sports you play/practise, anything you do outside school which bascially represents you in a positive light. For instance, if you practise Mixed Martial Arts - if shows that you are active, determined and keen to learn more. If you do volunteer work, then it demonstrates your ability of wanting to gain experience and get ahead. Things as such, I think.

Hey everyone, sorry to interrupt but I was wondering if you could help me. Hello! Basically I'm kind of stuck between applying to Oxford or Cambridge for Eng Lit. Just wondering if anyone's got advice about which I'm more likely to get an offer from/what it's like being there?

I love the fact that the Oxford english course starts earlier, and the historical contexts bits. I also know that it's the best university for English and has the biggest English faculty and some bits of the town I think are really beautiful. Apparently you can also do bits of classical literature in your modules, any more info on this?

However I also like the look of the cambridge course. I like that you can take a module in a foreign language (I would do greek or latin) as part of the course, and the tragedy paper that you take in the third year. I also think that Cambridge as a town is much prettier overall than Oxford- however as my grades aren't all that high i've been advised to apply to a college either out of town, or with less beautiful buildings as I might have more chance of an offer.

I have 9A*'s 2A's (physics and stats) and a B (dance-woops) at GCSE, 4 A's (UMS 192 for latin, 194 for Art, 186 for history but only 184 for English :/) at A2 and am predicted 4 A*'s.

ANY advice about which to go for would be sooooo helpful! Thank you!

Thanks a lot that's actually really helpful. There's a teacher at my school who's really into applying strategically, but I think what you've said is a better idea. Are my UMS scores definitely too low to mention then?

Do not talk about extra-curricular activities if they are not directly related to your chosen course (this is for Oxford and Cambridge mainly).

(Most people mention them in a very short paragraph/line of their Personal Statement for the benefit of other universities...)

Admissions is done primarily on an academic basis - so you could be a crazy person who never goes out but if you're good at whatever you choose to study then you'll be better off than someone who is does loads of extra stuff beyond academic work but who is mediocre academically.

Most people talk about ECs in a paragraph on the personal statement, do they not?

While they won't help for Oxbridge, I thought it was reasonably normal to still talk about them on the PS?

*breathes a sigh of relief* - so scared that I'll be up against people with 100% in everything, it's so nice to hear that some people are human!

My coursework is 96% i think, and i got 100 in a history module but that's not really relevant i suppose. Do you reckon I should show my UMS scores on my application then? I was at the english faculty and they said only to mention UMS if they're exceptionally high - but as you said it would look weird mentioning latin and art but not English...

Brilliant I'll do that any tips for interview/ particularly nice colleges to apply to for english?