Oxford English Students and Applicants

thank you for your advice! and I will contact you if I need any more. As said before, I'm so glad that you got the place because you deserve it so much for your endless hard-work in your gap year!!

*RANT WARNING*

I definitely think that I would have a substantially better chance if I reapply next year because firstly, I was unaware of how utterly unrecognized my Diploma is (Glasgow rejected me immediately because they don't recognize my Diploma as even a form of education). Second, I would have time to supplement it with a few A-Levels. Thirdly, I would be a lot more informed about the rigours of application. For example, I would be able to submit a much more suitable written work, obtain a better reference, and learn the jargon of Literature (I've always analysed what I read in my own vocabulary). And lastly, I do intend on publishing and I am applying for a job as a research assistant with this guy who is documenting the dying theatre traditions in Malaysia.

And I still wish I at least got an interview chance.

But after reading the many rejection stories on TSR, it really does seem that Oxford is a lottery in some ways. People who seem to tick all the right boxes are rejected. So, it scares the h*** out of me to reapply . Plus, the idea of a 'gap year' in my country is almost non-existent and my family has the typical Asian mindset (you no doctor but now you no even do degree you stupid get out of my house!). [note: bad grammar intended]

Well, happily, I did get an offer from Sussex and it just seems *easier* to attend Sussex and get on with enjoying student life at *Brighton. Though, I have a masochistic liking for having my work/essays butchered in impressive detail which I can only get at Oxford.

*RANT ENDED*

But I guess my question is: to those who were offered a place, what do you think got you in? KingMessi, do you think it was your gap year? To those who weren't offered, what do you think lost you the place?

EDIT: In hindsight, I feel like a complete idiot for thinking I could apply with my Diploma, even if I am supplementing with A-Levels...

EDIT EDIT: Not to say, of course, that Sussex isn't great.

Post just came- still nothing...

Post arrived - still nothing!! Should I call you reckon? :/

No letter came in the post... assume its second class and rejection *sigh*

I'm really sorry. Please try and stay positive though - you do have the option of reapplying a year on. How did they let you know? PM me if you want to talk about it - but it's perfectly understandable if you don't wish to.

My best advice is to remember that you've come so far, that it's not necessarily a reflection upon your ability (all tutors have different agendas) and to do whatever you can to divert your mind from it. When I got my rejection last year my friends took me shopping ( ), try and do something of that sort.

I hope things do work out for you.

Hey, thanks. I received a letter... My mum read it first- i couldnt!
I found out on the morning of my sister's birthday party so i kinda had the party to take it off my mind...

Thanks again..

And CONGRATS!!! So glad you got in! Well done!

The best thing to do is perhaps ask the college for feedback about why you were rejected (if you are going to reapply) so you can target that area next time.

All of the steps that you've outlined in the first paragraph sound very logical and positive - if they all are carried out I can't envisage a situation in which you wouldn't stand a much better chance.

Oxford will only ever be a lottery, and reapplying won't change that - but bear in mind that someone has to win a lottery, and the more times you partake in a lottery, the greater your chances of winning. Ignore your family as much as you can - it's your life and you're hardly a high-school dropout; you're trying to get into an extremely prestigious university.

Thanks .

Now, I've just got to decide what I'm gonna do... Wait another year and reapply, or appreciate what I already have in hand.

I'll be haunting this forum for awhile yet! KingMessi, if you don't mind... would it be alright for you to send me your Personal Statement as a sort of reference? I think yours would have a strong root in the essentials of Literature (Austen, etc) and it'll be good to read. UEA asked me for an extra personal statement, heh.

Same

Offer for History and English from Queen's! Ecstatic doesn't even cover it.

haven't heard still =/ i read your later post, and I'm so sorry that you got rejected =/I'mthinking the same, but what college?

Brasenose. Good luck for when you find out! I hope it's good news

Thanks but I got rejected too I thought i'd be less upset cuz I'd expected it but...