Is it worth applying to Oxford if you don't plan on going there?

So I was thinking of applying to Oxford in 2020-2021 (i'm year 12), but is it worth it if I will most likely end up rejecting it?

I do have the grades to get in I think (I've got 10 9s and 3A* at gcse, and I'm predicted 4 A* at alevel). If I apply, it will be for Physics, so I would have to take an aptitude test too.

But is it worth going through the whole early and stressful process if I'm just going to reject it? Would I have a more enjoyable year if I didn't go through that stress?

Also, I know self-worth isn't defined by an offer from oxbridge, but if I didn't get in, I just know I would lose motivation for a few days, and would have to build up again (which I guess is normal from what I've heard).

So would you apply if I will later reject a potential offer? Is the process really stressful?

What on earth do you see as the advantage? Bragging rights while you are in Y13? Sit down and have a word with yourself.

So I was thinking of applying to Oxford in 2020-2021 (i'm year 12), but is it worth it if I will most likely end up rejecting it?

I do have the grades to get in I think (I've got 10 9s and 3A* at gcse, and I'm predicted 4 A* at alevel). If I apply, it will be for Physics, so I would have to take an aptitude test too.

But is it worth going through the whole early and stressful process if I'm just going to reject it? Would I have a more enjoyable year if I didn't go through that stress?

Also, I know self-worth isn't defined by an offer from oxbridge, but if I didn't get in, I just know I would lose motivation for a few days, and would have to build up again (which I guess is normal from what I've heard).

So would you apply if I will later reject a potential offer? Is the process really stressful?

So I was thinking of applying to Oxford in 2020-2021 (i'm year 12), but is it worth it if I will most likely end up rejecting it?

I do have the grades to get in I think (I've got 10 9s and 3A* at gcse, and I'm predicted 4 A* at alevel). If I apply, it will be for Physics, so I would have to take an aptitude test too.

But is it worth going through the whole early and stressful process if I'm just going to reject it? Would I have a more enjoyable year if I didn't go through that stress?

Also, I know self-worth isn't defined by an offer from oxbridge, but if I didn't get in, I just know I would lose motivation for a few days, and would have to build up again (which I guess is normal from what I've heard).

So would you apply if I will later reject a potential offer? Is the process really stressful?

It depends on what you want from it. If you definitely know you don’t want to go there, maybe don’t apply. I applied, ended up getting an offer and rejecting it because I didn’t know it wasn’t for me at the time of applying. But I certainly don’t regret applying! Oh, and don’t worry about the future comments on this thread that will probably say “you’re mad for rejecting them”, just ignore them

It's more as a backup in case I don't get into other unis (because I'm applying abroad, which is more difficult from uk)

No, you probably shouldn't. The intake is fairly strictly controlled so if you were to get an offer (and to be clear, your grades do not guarantee that), you are likely taking an offer away from someone else so by making an application you don't intend to take up, you're wasting college money and potentially disadvantaging another student. You say "self-worth isn't defined by an offer from Oxbridge" but to be honest that's exactly what it sounds like from this post.

Edit: If it's as a backup as you just posted above then I think that's fine.

thank you, this really helped! I'll think about it, but most likely will end up applying

So I was thinking of applying to Oxford in 2020-2021 (i'm year 12), but is it worth it if I will most likely end up rejecting it?

I do have the grades to get in I think (I've got 10 9s and 3A* at gcse, and I'm predicted 4 A* at alevel). If I apply, it will be for Physics, so I would have to take an aptitude test too.

But is it worth going through the whole early and stressful process if I'm just going to reject it? Would I have a more enjoyable year if I didn't go through that stress?

Also, I know self-worth isn't defined by an offer from oxbridge, but if I didn't get in, I just know I would lose motivation for a few days, and would have to build up again (which I guess is normal from what I've heard).

So would you apply if I will later reject a potential offer? Is the process really stressful?

You only get 5 choices, and I'm assuming you want to apply to other competitive courses too. the 20-21 admissions cycle is likely to be one of the most competitive for a while, so I'd strongly advise against wasting a choice on a uni you don't really want to go to, whether Oxford or not. How would you feel if you ended up with no offers, and you could have used your 5th choice for something you had more chance of getting in to?

With that set of GCSE grades and those A Level predictions, I think it's very unlikely that they'll end up with no offers. That's enough to get you an offer from most non-Oxbridge unis in the UK.

With that set of GCSE grades and those A Level predictions, I think it's very unlikely that they'll end up with no offers. That's enough to get you an offer from most non-Oxbridge unis in the UK.

That's right. I know for many subjects, you don't even need an interview for a non Oxbridge uni! Just write a decent PS, and sit back and wait for the offers!

Just because you don't need an interview, doesn't mean you're guaranteed an offer though- lots of unis that don't interview still reject people!