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Christ Church Impossible to get into !?!

Hello

I really want to go to Oxford to study PPE more so than any other subject at an American University.

I just started looking at individual colleges at Oxford and Christ Church caught my eye.

However, when I checked their admissions page it said that they only take 10 people for PPE every year.

Not only that but they also want marked work which in the USA you dont really need to keep so I just toss it all out and/or my teachers never return anything to us.

Is this college impossible to get into to study PPE?

Impossible meaning it is very very very very difficult and unlikely for someone to get in based on statistics alone.

no

AmericanCowboy

However, when I checked their admissions page it said that they only take 10 people for PPE every year.

This is probably a higher number than most other colleges - bear in mind that each college generally only admits (around) 100 or so students for all subjects each year.

Reply 3

SolInvictus

11

AmericanCowboy

Hello

I really want to go to Oxford to study PPE more so than any other subject at an American University.

I just started looking at individual colleges at Oxford and Christ Church caught my eye.

However, when I checked their admissions page it said that they only take 10 people for PPE every year.

Not only that but they also want marked work which in the USA you dont really need to keep so I just toss it all out and/or my teachers never return anything to us.

Is this college impossible to get into to study PPE?

Impossible meaning it is very very very very difficult and unlikely for someone to get in based on statistics alone.

ChCh is probably one of the more competitive colleges, so if you have some special need, or requirement of a college, I might look more broadly. Other than that, pooling and secondary allocations will make sure that you get another chance with another college if you are good enough to be at Oxford.

As for work, the tutors can create an assignment for you to demonstrate your writing skills.

As another American, though I often feel the need to make this point again and again when it comes to PPE. Its a very glitzy degree - it looks so interesting, so employable, so liberal arts, so perfect...... but what needs to be considered is your aptitude for the course. PPE is a very analytical course, and one that most Americans are ill prepared for. Our curriculum, School or AP, doesn't prepare us for it, and we really do lack a competitive edge.

Do you really want to do PPE? Do you think you can be one of the best and brightest in this course? Can you compete with hundreds of other students for a place at Oxford?

If you really can say yes to this, then go for it. If you cannot, however, truly and honestly verify your aptitude and commitment to PPE, I would look at the many other courses offered at Oxford, or even Cambridge.

I too was sucked in by PPE, but I realised what I was meant for was History. And, having received an offer for the subject, I feel so much happier having made the correct choice.

Reply 4

AmericanCowboy

OP

I really like everything I read about PPE, but for some reason I feel like 300 people are going to apply for these 10 spots. I think I am a pretty competitive applicant, but if that many people are applying Im screwed.

Reply 5

generalebriety

16

AmericanCowboy

I really like everything I read about PPE, but for some reason I feel like 300 people are going to apply for these 10 spots. I think I am a pretty competitive applicant, but if that many people are applying Im screwed.

I apologise if I'm pointing out the obvious here, but... you're applying to Oxford. What do you expect? It's always hugely oversubscribed for pretty much every subject.

Reply 6

AmericanCowboy

OP

Well no I understand how competitive it is, but at 10 spots for PPE Oxford is by far the most difficult college to gain acceptance in the world. Harvard, Yale, Princeton are easy universitys compared to PPE at Christ Church

Reply 7

generalebriety

16

AmericanCowboy

Well no I understand how competitive it is, but at 10 spots for PPE Oxford is by far the most difficult college to gain acceptance in the world. Harvard, Yale, Princeton are easy universitys compared to PPE at Christ Church

That's not really the point. Oxford's pooling system ensures (with a very high rate of success - ok, it's not perfect, but what admissions system is?) that no matter what college you apply to, if you're good enough for Oxford you'll go to Oxford, even if it's not to your chosen college. In fact, I believe they ask you for a preferred college and a backup college on your application form anyway.

Reply 8

zephyranthus

generalebriety

That's not really the point. Oxford's pooling system ensures (with a very high rate of success - ok, it's not perfect, but what admissions system is?) that no matter what college you apply to, if you're good enough for Oxford you'll go to Oxford, even if it's not to your chosen college. In fact, I believe they ask you for a preferred college and a backup college on your application form anyway.

I thought Oxford doesn't pool... more like cambridge do that

but generally it's the bigger and older colleges who get the most applicants, so yea, look broader

Reply 9

generalebriety

16

zephyranthus

I thought Oxford doesn't pool... more like cambridge do that

but generally it's the bigger and older colleges who get the most applicants, so yea, look broader

Well, I know someone who's going to Oxford through the pool.

no

AmericanCowboy

Well no I understand how competitive it is, but at 10 spots for PPE Oxford is by far the most difficult college to gain acceptance in the world. Harvard, Yale, Princeton are easy universitys compared to PPE at Christ Church

You do realise there are 37 other colleges at Oxford, right? You're speaking like Christ Church == Oxford.

Reply 12

AmericanCowboy

OP

Isn't it like the premier college? sorry if I am ill informed its just that the PPE thread that is like 100 pages long is very difficult to find any relevant and significant information. Its tough being an American trying to get into a foreign college. Nobody overhear has any clue how to get into Oxford, what college is best, nothing, zilch, nada, niete

Reply 13

flugestuge

3

AmericanCowboy

Harvard, Yale, Princeton are easy universitys compared to PPE at Christ Church

E&M is even more competitive to get into.
For E&M, the ratio of applicants to places is around 10 to 1 at every college at Oxford. HYPS have ratios of 4 to 1. Dead easy.... :biggrin:

If you apply to Oxford, make sure that you have HYPS as your safety ("insurance" in UK speak ) :woo:

Reply 14

flugestuge

3

AmericanCowboy

Isn't it like the premier college?

No.
MBM are.
( Magdalene, Merton and Balliol )

Reply 15

Mayfly

AmericanCowboy

Isn't it like the premier college? sorry if I am ill informed its just that the PPE thread that is like 100 pages long is very difficult to find any relevant and significant information. Its tough being an American trying to get into a foreign college. Nobody overhear has any clue how to get into Oxford, what college is best, nothing, zilch, nada, niete

Balliol is huge for PPE. Possibly even harder to get into though.

Reply 16

AmericanCowboy

OP

obviously not absolutely easy, but relative to oxford yes its easy.

Reply 17

AmericanCowboy

OP

man I just want to get into a decent college. It doesnt have to be the best. When I come back stateside after a few years abroad all they will see is Oxford not Christ Church, Merton, Balliol, etc..

Reply 18

Cirsium

19

You have to bear in mind that there are maybe 200-250 students accepted for PPE and that there are 38 colleges most of whom take PPEists. 10 students is actually a pretty hefty intake!

The application to place ratio is about 10:1, so by no means easy, but also not as bad as you're invisaging.

Reply 19

RichE

15

AmericanCowboy

I really like everything I read about PPE, but for some reason I feel like 300 people are going to apply for these 10 spots. I think I am a pretty competitive applicant, but if that many people are applying Im screwed.

Around 40-50 people are going to apply for those places, not 300.

Bekaboo

The application to place ratio is about 10:1, so by no means easy, but also not as bad as you're invisaging.

It's around 5:1 (and Christ Church is about average in this).

Christ Church Impossible to get into !?!

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