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What did you get in your AS levels?!

Hello!

I got my results for my AS's last week and I was wondering what you oxbridge students got as I want to know whether it would be realistic for me to apply to oxbridge this year for university commencing in 2015.

I did 3 AS's in History, government and politics and Philosophy. I was doing psychology as well but I was rubbish at it so I dropped it and instead I'm going to to do an AS in year 13 as well. My results were BBB(one high B and two middle Bs)

Is it realistic to apply to oxbridge on the basis of achieving around A*AA by the end of year 13? Do you think this achievable? Have any of you done it?

Any comments of advice and help will be appreciated!

Thanks

Posted from TSR Mobile
I've heard some success stories where people have pulled it out of the bag and got offers, however I'd imagine that Oxbridge would be looking for at least an A on the course you want to study and tend to prefer people doing 4 AS levels, so unfortunately I'd predict that your chances would be fairly small..

Saying that, nothing is impossible! If you have a very strong personal statement, references and show a passion for your subject you may get through to interview :smile: It's up to you - you might want to apply anyway just so you know in your head that you gave it your best shot. I think the general range of people getting to interview tends to be AAAA-AABB though, so this is worth baring in mind and being realistic about. Cliche or not, Oxbridge do want the best of the best results.

Good luck with your applications!
(edited 8 years ago)
Reply 2
Hello thanks for replying!

I'm not sure if I would agree with Oxbridge wanting 4 AS levels... on all of their courses they say they want 3 A Levels at certain grades. If it was a requirement to have 4 AS levels in year 12 then they would state this. I did mention that I will be doing an AS level in year 13 so that makes up the 4 AS'S anyway. The reason schools offer the 4 AS'S is so that you can carry on your 3 best grades.

I just wanted to find out whether people with Bs at AS managed to get up to A's to reach oxbridge.

Posted from TSR Mobile
I don't think BBB will do unfortunately.

I'm applying to Cambridge for NatSci myself. In total, after Year 12, I have A*aaaab.

(Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, French, History)
I agree that you can get in with three a levels but BBB is not sufficient in my opinion. I am applying oxford medicine with AAAA at AS(Maths, Biology, Chemistry and History)
It's okay!

I didn't say you have to have 4 AS levels, it's just that from trends of offers given, the vast majority of successful applicants do tend to.

And I'd recommend having a look at the old TSR Oxbridge Applicants stalking pages for how people with Bs did!
Here's the 2013 and 2014 TSR Oxford Applicants Stalking pages:
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/Oxford_applicants_stalking_page_2013_entry
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/Oxford_applicants_stalking_page_2014_entry

And here's the 2013 and 2014 Cambridge ones:
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/Cambridge_Applicants_Stalking_Page_2013
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/Cambridge_applicants_stalking_page_2014_entry

Best of luck with your application, hope those pages help :smile:
Reply 6
Original post by scavi2008
It's okay!

I didn't say you have to have 4 AS levels, it's just that from trends of offers given, the vast majority of successful applicants do tend to.

And I'd recommend having a look at the old TSR Oxbridge Applicants stalking pages for how people with Bs did!
Here's the 2013 and 2014 TSR Oxford Applicants Stalking pages:
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/Oxford_applicants_stalking_page_2013_entry
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/Oxford_applicants_stalking_page_2014_entry

And here's the 2013 and 2014 Cambridge ones:
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/Cambridge_Applicants_Stalking_Page_2013
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/Cambridge_applicants_stalking_page_2014_entry

Best of luck with your application, hope those pages help :smile:


Thanks so much, those pages will definitely be of assistance!

In regards to B's not being sufficient, I have to agree in a way as Oxbridge want the best of best from the very start. However, I am having one remarked as I am not far away from an A so it could potentially be ABB.
I'm sorry but it is very unlikely you will even get an interview for either Oxford or Cambridge with BBB unless you had extenuating circumstances. It's not the end of the world though, there are still other very good universities you will have a chance with.
A girl in my Biology class got an interview at Oxford with AABC at AS. Mind you, her predictions for A2 were A*AA. But you don't necessarily need all As at AS, just enthusiasm for your course and other extracurriculars :smile:
Reply 9
Just to give you some hope - I got AABB as AS-level, and despite the Bs, I managed to get an offer. Your grades are a little lower, but not majorly different.

I would say then, that while you may not have a great chance, there's certainly no harm in putting it down as one of your 5 choices. Especially if this remark is successful, you have an opportunity, no matter how small it might be.

Having said that, I do understand many Unis would have preferred you to do 4 AS-levels, so this might be a bigger problem.
(edited 9 years ago)
Original post by KCheema
Hello!

I got my results for my AS's last week and I was wondering what you oxbridge students got as I want to know whether it would be realistic for me to apply to oxbridge this year for university commencing in 2015.

I did 3 AS's in History, government and politics and Philosophy. I was doing psychology as well but I was rubbish at it so I dropped it and instead I'm going to to do an AS in year 13 as well. My results were BBB(one high B and two middle Bs)

Is it realistic to apply to oxbridge on the basis of achieving around A*AA by the end of year 13? Do you think this achievable? Have any of you done it?

Any comments of advice and help will be appreciated!

Thanks

Posted from TSR Mobile

My friend is applying to Oxbridge for Maths with ABCE. It's a long shot, he says, but he's giving it all he's got, with confidence that he'll improve in the second year.

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