Anyone taking a gap year before Lse/oxbridge application?

I applied to competitive unis and I'm planning on deferring until 2025. I applied now because to me I'd rather just be competing with this year's cohort than with students they haven't seen yet. It's easy to defer once you've got a place

I applied now because to me I'd rather just be competing with this year's cohort than with students they haven't seen yet.

Is anyone else taking a gap year in order to make their personal statement more competitive for Russel Groups

'Taking a year out' will not have any impact on your application.

'Taking a year out' will not have any impact on your application.

That is not what I meant, I mean taking a gap year to do productive things like further internships, competitions and other extracurriculars to improve my PS to make it more competitive + better preparation for admission tests.

You dont need 'a year out' to do this extra stuff - and it isnt going to make that much difference to your application.
If it did, then those applying straight from school would never get an offer.

If you want to take a gap year, then take one.
But do not kid yourself that this is going to make any significant difference to your chances of an offer - from any University.

I see your point, however I have to disagree, taking a gap year would give extra time to prepare for admission tests that specific universities see as creating an application more competitive, and having more time to prepare and achieving a better score would definitely create my application to be more competitive, as well as developing my personal statement through completing further activities that I didn't have time for during my preparations for exams.

But if you can't see that, then you do you I guess.

I love it when applicants talk down to people who actually work in university admissions...

Is anyone else taking a gap year in order to make their personal statement more competitive for Russel Groups

I applied to competitive unis and I'm planning on deferring until 2025. I applied now because to me I'd rather just be competing with this year's cohort than with students they haven't seen yet. It's easy to defer once you've got a place

How is it talking down to disagree with someone over the benefits of taking a gap year to better my position in ways in which I personally know I need to improve on? I'm the only one on the thread who's aware of the degree of competitiveness I have compared to other applicants, and what I need to improve on.

How is it talking down to disagree with someone over the benefits of taking a gap year to better my position in ways in which I personally know I need to improve on? I'm the only one on the thread who's aware of the degree of competitiveness I have compared to other applicants, and what I need to improve on.

The condescending tone of your final sentence. "But if you can't see that [then you must be an idiot...]"
Btw you also need to consider the fact that unis often expect a higher standard on admissions tests from post A-level students because they are older, have more knowledge and experience, and more time to prepare.

That is so not true mate.

ageshallnot is an experienced helper on the site. If you have further information to update their knowledge feel free to share that as it will help us all. "That is so not true" doesn't really help without some more substance.

You forgot the "mate." just sayin