Help: Oxford or Cambridge for Law in this situation?

Hi all - intl student here.
I'm a student taking a gap year, and just received my A-level grades: 2A* (Law, Econ), A (English Lit) and B (Maths). I'm having the Lit and Math papers remarked, but in all probability, they'll not do much anyway - I don't fancy my chances with a remark (CIE board is notoriously absurd in grading) despite being predicted 3A* 1A.

GCSE - 6A* 2A (As in Maths, and a foreign language). My school didn't allow more than 8 GCSEs due to timetable issues. Intl student, so no contextualisation of these grades; most that I can do is tell the referee to mention these were pretty good results for my school.

Anyhow, I'm not complaining in the slightest since many friends got way worse - but I do want to ask; is Oxford or Cambridge more viable in this situation (Law)? I know;

1. Oxford places more emphasis on GCSEs than Cambridge, but perhaps with achieved grades, this would be less of an issue? I know they focus more on GCSEs due to them being the last exams taken before applying in most cases.

2. Oxford interviews fewer ppl by whittling down before interview - however, with Cambridge now introducing the LNAT pre-interview, perhaps this will mean they both now interview roughly equal amounts?

3. Cambridge has higher entry conditions. I know I've met the conditions for both (2A* 1A when A*AA needed for Cam, AAA for Ox) but somehow I feel that my A levels might hold me back more applying to Cam than Ox - and yet ironically my GCSEs might hold me back more at Ox than Cam. I've heard the old "Better A levels? Go to Cam. Better GCSEs go to Ox" but in this case I'm not sure whether its my A levels or GCSEs which are better XD

Sorry for the really long post, I just need some guidance and help. If it makes any difference, Oxford is about 4 grand cheaper for intls - but honestly with fees already so high at both, if Cambridge really is the "safer" shot, it would be worth it. And I know neither is "safe", but I'm sure you get what I mean.

Btw - I applied to Cam this year, got pooled, rejected. Feedback: great CLT exam, good first interview, meh 2nd interview and overall competition was just too high for me to get in with the 2nd interview being "eh". That said, I'm keen to get a shot in front of the interviewers (since I'm a weak candidate on paper) which is why Cam was an easy choice in 2021 - just unsure whether Cam will still be easier to get an interview with since they added the pre-interview LNAT.

Thanks in advance for any help and advice!

Hi all - intl student here.
I'm a student taking a gap year, and just received my A-level grades: 2A* (Law, Econ), A (English Lit) and B (Maths). I'm having the Lit and Math papers remarked, but in all probability, they'll not do much anyway - I don't fancy my chances with a remark (CIE board is notoriously absurd in grading) despite being predicted 3A* 1A.

GCSE - 6A* 2A (As in Maths, and a foreign language). My school didn't allow more than 8 GCSEs due to timetable issues. Intl student, so no contextualisation of these grades; most that I can do is tell the referee to mention these were pretty good results for my school.

Anyhow, I'm not complaining in the slightest since many friends got way worse - but I do want to ask; is Oxford or Cambridge more viable in this situation (Law)? I know;

1. Oxford places more emphasis on GCSEs than Cambridge, but perhaps with achieved grades, this would be less of an issue? I know they focus more on GCSEs due to them being the last exams taken before applying in most cases.

2. Oxford interviews fewer ppl by whittling down before interview - however, with Cambridge now introducing the LNAT pre-interview, perhaps this will mean they both now interview roughly equal amounts?

3. Cambridge has higher entry conditions. I know I've met the conditions for both (2A* 1A when A*AA needed for Cam, AAA for Ox) but somehow I feel that my A levels might hold me back more applying to Cam than Ox - and yet ironically my GCSEs might hold me back more at Ox than Cam. I've heard the old "Better A levels? Go to Cam. Better GCSEs go to Ox" but in this case I'm not sure whether its my A levels or GCSEs which are better XD

Sorry for the really long post, I just need some guidance and help. If it makes any difference, Oxford is about 4 grand cheaper for intls - but honestly with fees already so high at both, if Cambridge really is the "safer" shot, it would be worth it. And I know neither is "safe", but I'm sure you get what I mean.

Btw - I applied to Cam this year, got pooled, rejected. Feedback: great CLT exam, good first interview, meh 2nd interview and overall competition was just too high for me to get in with the 2nd interview being "eh". That said, I'm keen to get a shot in front of the interviewers (since I'm a weak candidate on paper) which is why Cam was an easy choice in 2021 - just unsure whether Cam will still be easier to get an interview with since they added the pre-interview LNAT.

Thanks in advance for any help and advice!

Hi all - intl student here.
I'm a student taking a gap year, and just received my A-level grades: 2A* (Law, Econ), A (English Lit) and B (Maths). I'm having the Lit and Math papers remarked, but in all probability, they'll not do much anyway - I don't fancy my chances with a remark (CIE board is notoriously absurd in grading) despite being predicted 3A* 1A.

GCSE - 6A* 2A (As in Maths, and a foreign language). My school didn't allow more than 8 GCSEs due to timetable issues. Intl student, so no contextualisation of these grades; most that I can do is tell the referee to mention these were pretty good results for my school.

Anyhow, I'm not complaining in the slightest since many friends got way worse - but I do want to ask; is Oxford or Cambridge more viable in this situation (Law)? I know;

1. Oxford places more emphasis on GCSEs than Cambridge, but perhaps with achieved grades, this would be less of an issue? I know they focus more on GCSEs due to them being the last exams taken before applying in most cases.

2. Oxford interviews fewer ppl by whittling down before interview - however, with Cambridge now introducing the LNAT pre-interview, perhaps this will mean they both now interview roughly equal amounts?

3. Cambridge has higher entry conditions. I know I've met the conditions for both (2A* 1A when A*AA needed for Cam, AAA for Ox) but somehow I feel that my A levels might hold me back more applying to Cam than Ox - and yet ironically my GCSEs might hold me back more at Ox than Cam. I've heard the old "Better A levels? Go to Cam. Better GCSEs go to Ox" but in this case I'm not sure whether its my A levels or GCSEs which are better XD

Sorry for the really long post, I just need some guidance and help. If it makes any difference, Oxford is about 4 grand cheaper for intls - but honestly with fees already so high at both, if Cambridge really is the "safer" shot, it would be worth it. And I know neither is "safe", but I'm sure you get what I mean.

Btw - I applied to Cam this year, got pooled, rejected. Feedback: great CLT exam, good first interview, meh 2nd interview and overall competition was just too high for me to get in with the 2nd interview being "eh". That said, I'm keen to get a shot in front of the interviewers (since I'm a weak candidate on paper) which is why Cam was an easy choice in 2021 - just unsure whether Cam will still be easier to get an interview with since they added the pre-interview LNAT.

Thanks in advance for any help and advice!

I think your chances are probably approximately the same either way, and you should just pick whichever you personally prefer
That said, if I had the chance to choose again, I might have picked Cambridge to avoid having to do Final Honour School (quite possibly the most stressful 2 weeks of my life) and take more options (probably would not have chosen Jurisprudence if it weren't compulsory).

Cambridge has more places than Oxford. Also, with the LNAT, you will be called for interview if you have a high score, at Cambridge.
Also, your GCSEs would be a problem for Oxford, as you only have 6A* 2A, but Cambridge would not care, as you've excelled.
I wonder which college you applied to at Cambridge University last year?
Why not choose Girton College, Cambridge University? OR St. Catherine's College, Cambridge University?
The Oxford Law degree is pre-lim exams in Year 1 and Final Honour Schools modules during Year 2 and exams in 8 subjects in Year 3.
If you want to risk being under a lot of pressure choose Oxford, but if you want exams every year then choose Cambridge.
Here is the URL to a Oxbridge Admissions eBook: https://storage.googleapis.com/wp-static/oxbridgeapplications.com/2019/11/Tell-Me-About-A-Banana-e-Book.pdf

Hello!
I hope to apply to Oxford for 2025 entry, and I have 7 A*s and 2 As at GCSE - is this a problem? I did perform within the top 10 of my year, and my school is in a bad area, but this wasn't mentioned in my references as I thought my GCSE results were pretty strong.
Is Cambridge a better shot for me?

You've completed 9 GCSEs and achieved 7A* grades at GCSE, which is well above the average achievement and the 2A's won't matter much if they're in French, German or Spanish or Design & Technology. More importantly, Oxford only ask for AAA whereas Cambridge offers can be as high as A*A*A at some Colleges. Also, Cambridge does exams every year and Oxford exams are in Year 3?!
Oxford had just over 8 applicants per place for Law. This is much less than LSE, UCL, KCL, SOAS, QMUL, Durham, Manchester, Newcastle, Leeds, Bristol, Warwick, Lancaster, York, Nottingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Liverpool.
I would apply to Oxford if that's where you will be happiest. Perhaps you will like Cambridge after visiting on an Open Day?
I wonder if you've chosen an Oxford College yet that you're going to apply to? 😧
Here are statistics of the Law Oxford 2023 Admissions:
Law-Report-on-the-2023-admissions-round.pdf (ox.ac.uk)

Thanks for the reply, it's very helpful!
My 2 As were in Maths and English Language, so I don't know if this would have a negative impact.
I didn't realise that Cambridge offers varied per college. 😮
While visiting Oxford, I took a liking to Worcestor and Wadham, but honestly, I would love to be in Oxford regardless of what college I'm in; I liked every college I visited. 🙂
I haven't visited Cambridge before, but I hope to in their September Open Day. From the pictures my friends have shown me when they visited, I also think I would like Cambridge quite a lot, so I would rather apply to the school where I have the greater chance.

Thanks for the reply, it's very helpful!
My 2 As were in Maths and English Language, so I don't know if this would have a negative impact.
I didn't realise that Cambridge offers varied per college. 😮
While visiting Oxford, I took a liking to Worcestor and Wadham, but honestly, I would love to be in Oxford regardless of what college I'm in; I liked every college I visited. 🙂
I haven't visited Cambridge before, but I hope to in their September Open Day. From the pictures my friends have shown me when they visited, I also think I would like Cambridge quite a lot, so I would rather apply to the school where I have the greater chance.

Thanks for the reply, it's very helpful!
My 2 As were in Maths and English Language, so I don't know if this would have a negative impact.
I didn't realise that Cambridge offers varied per college. 😮
While visiting Oxford, I took a liking to Worcestor and Wadham, but honestly, I would love to be in Oxford regardless of what college I'm in; I liked every college I visited. 🙂
I haven't visited Cambridge before, but I hope to in their September Open Day. From the pictures my friends have shown me when they visited, I also think I would like Cambridge quite a lot, so I would rather apply to the school where I have the greater chance.

LSE asks for B grades minimum in English Language and Maths for GCSE like most other top Law departments. So by achieving A grades, you have exceeded the entry requirements 🙂
I would choose a carefully and visit them on an open day too. For example, Christ Church, Merton, St. John's, Oriel, Exeter, University, New and Balliol are highly academic but there are others like St. Hugh's and St. Hilda's and St. Catherine's with much less applicants for Law.
Cambridge would ask for A*AA, and sometimes the admissions tutors can ask for A*A*A. ☹️ But Oxford is always AAA. lol
Are you also applying to any of LSE? UCL? KCL? SOAS? QMUL? CITY? i.e. London universities? 😧

omg do u have any advice for getting into Oxford law? xx which a levels did u do ?