Oxford for English

Hi- I am predicted roughly A*AB in English lit, Bio and French for a level (though idk for definite due to COVID and the lack of mocks this year). I got a 9 and an 8 in English at GCSE. I was thinking of applying to oxford for English. I am aware that my grades aren’t the best but it’s worth a try, there’s nothing to lose. What do you think my chances of getting in are? Is there anything I can do to I crease these chances? Thanks.

If you applied with A*AA already attained or got your French teacher to change your predicted grade, I think you'd have a shot. If you had roughly 8 GCSEs at 7s and above, that would also help.

Thank you! So if hypothetically If I applied with the A as a predicted grade and then got a B, would Oxford have a problem with that?

You would have missed the offer conditions so they would be no longer be under obligation to take you. They might anyway (e.g. I got AAB at A2 and was accepted anyway) but you shouldn't count on it - these cases are few and far between

Ah alright thank you! What did you study? Did you study English? And if so what would you recommend putting on the application that would help you stand out?

I studied music, so don't know about English Lit-specific personal statement stuff. The other poster in this thread is doing an English Lit degree afaik, so they will probably have much better advice than me But remember: quality over quantity: don't just reel off a list of books/poems/plays. Make sure you say insightful things about them

It's also important to do well in the ELAT, which is the Oxford-specific pre-interview test for English

With that predicted B, I don't think it's likely you'd be called to interview, sadly, as you technically wouldn't meet the minimum offer requirements Is there any way you can persuade your French teacher to predict you at least an A?

Thank you- yeah I could possibly (though I seriously doubt that I would achieve it.) They do say there is some leniency with French as it is widely respected as not many do it but I don’t think that would make a difference at Oxford?
Other than that, did you study English? If so, what sort of things did you put in your personal statement? Is there anything that would make you stand out. I am grade 8 in both singing and flute (or rather I was about to take my exams but COVID put that on hold) so could I put that down in some way even though it isn’t to do with English??
Also, how did you prep for your ELAT?

If you applied with A*AA already attained or got your French teacher to change your predicted grade, I think you'd have a shot. If you had roughly 8 GCSEs at 7s and above, that would also help.

Thank you- yeah I could possibly (though I seriously doubt that I would achieve it.) They do say there is some leniency with French as it is widely respected as not many do it but I don’t think that would make a difference at Oxford?
Other than that, did you study English? If so, what sort of things did you put in your personal statement? Is there anything that would make you stand out. I am grade 8 in both singing and flute (or rather I was about to take my exams but COVID put that on hold) so could I put that down in some way even though it isn’t to do with English??
Also, how did you prep for your ELAT?