Is Oxford really that biased against state schools?

I was really pleased when I got my Result for my AS's in Sep 2007...4 A's in English Literature, History, Geography and Biology. I almost immediatly applied to Oxford to Law; but was really dissapointed when I was refused without interveiw. I took the LNAT and although I realise that I got a lowly 16/30, considering I'm not practiced in critical thinking or coached for such a test I thought I did fairly well. I've found other people from private schools with worse marks that have still got an interveiw or even an offer.

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yes they are

Private school students certianly do not take priority, if anything they're discriminated against. Of course I can't say exactly why you weren't interviewed - perhaps the college you applied to was particularly competitive that year? Also, did you have to submit written work? If you did, that's a major part of their decision whether to interview, so that may have been part of what let you down.

Reply 3

Boolean Julian

Also, I assume that by "public schools" you actually mean "state schools"? Since private schools and public schools are different words for the same thing.

Reply 4

King of TSR

Are you sure you mean "public" schools?

Public schools are basically private schools...

I think you are asking; is Oxford really that biased against state schools?

To which the answer is "NO" :wink:

Edit: Darn, beaten to it!

Reply 5

Cwlmatty

Sorry I mean 'state schools' :tongue:

But Yeah.
I did'nt have to submit written work...i had to do an essay on LNAT
Just wish I could have like a reason why :smile:

Reply 6

Cwlmatty

Thankyou lemily ....
Although after taking the LNAT tests I did read about classes available in London on taking the courses. Surley a prestigious University would coach students for such test???

Reply 7

Hasty

"Surley a prestigious University would coach students for such test???"

It's in their interest not to, to see who can get the best scores on their own.

Reply 8

Dann

Cwlmatty

Surley a prestigious University would coach students for such test???

Wouldn't that rather defeat the object of the test...?

Reply 9

Boolean Julian

Classes coaching you for what's meant to be an aptitute test will probably be extortionately expensive and a load of useless *******s, just like those interview preparation crash courses.

Also, to be perfectly honest, personal statements aren't likely to be a make or break thing. My mother is an admissions tutor at Oxford and she tells me that all her colleagues claim to never pay any attention to personal statements.

Also, bear in mind that Oxford discriminate quite significantly pre-interview, unlikely Cambridge where almost all applicants are interviewed.

Reply 10

North

16/30 is really quite low the average is 17 the Lnat is an aptitude test you shouldn't be coached for it all you could really do was the practise paper

im from a state school i got in i dont think they care what school you are from more who you are

Reply 11

*pitseleh*

If public school pupils got in with lower grades than you, it would be because they were better than you in some other respect. I went to a state school, and I had 51/60 on the ELAT test (the equivalent of the LNAT for those applying to study English).. but I know of one private schoolgirl who had 58/60 and was still rejected. The admissions tests simply isn't the only thing that Oxford look at - that's all. :smile:

Reply 12

superman19

Yes i'm sure its bias and definately not your poor LNAT result. GCSE's play a big part too.

Reply 13

henryt

One of my friends scored pretty badly on the LNAT, though he was told at interview that his essays were outstanding and his multiple choice was relatively dire, and then continued to receive an offer. Perhaps Oxford place more emphasis on the Essay element, and so the score alone isn't indicative of how well you've done in Oxford's eyes?

Reply 14

heliotrope

they try to use positive discrimination to the benefit of state schools, but sadly it doesn't always work out perfectly. there are still too many people from public schools at oxford.

Reply 15

Kolya

Come now: Of course you can be coached for the LNAT. I am confident that I could get at least 28/30 on the multiple-choice if I had fifteen minutes to take that section, and a good chance of getting higher if I could work at a slower pace. Now, what could explain this feat? A streak of genius? A unique ability for doing multiple-choice questions at a rapid speed? Alas, I have neither of those traits; I am just an average student who happened to study Critical Thinking, with some success, for two years at A-level. Emily, I see no reason why sufficient similar coaching of a student more naturally able than I would not produce the same, if not better, results.

Reply 16

dulcificum

Have you looked at the intake demographics recently?!

Reply 17

Jimny

superman19

Yes i'm sure its bias and definately not your poor LNAT result. GCSE's play a big part too.

I love sarcasm.

Reply 18

Cwlmatty

Sarcasm is the lowest form of HUMOUR...RUDE :tongue:

Reply 19

Cirsium

Maybe I'll just put this link in my signature :rolleyes:

http://www.admissions.ox.ac.uk/adstats.pdf

This year Oxford took a HIGHER percentage of people from the state sector than applied. Yes, they need to take more. But more need to APPLY!! Frankly if I'd got in because of positive discrimination or to fulfil some quota I'd be pretty down about myself. I'm PROUD of the fact that I was up against a bunch of private school people and I still got in.