More likely to get into oxbridge after gap year?
Hi Guys
Just got my Oxford rejection today for ppe. I was predicted A*A*A and I feel that might have let me down a bit - I feel like I can get 3 A*s in the summer and so, if I do, do you think my chances will be significantly higher as the grades are high and also achieved (not predicted)? Could anybody who took a gap year to reapply offer any other advice too pls. Thanks
Just got my Oxford rejection today for ppe. I was predicted A*A*A and I feel that might have let me down a bit - I feel like I can get 3 A*s in the summer and so, if I do, do you think my chances will be significantly higher as the grades are high and also achieved (not predicted)? Could anybody who took a gap year to reapply offer any other advice too pls. Thanks
Reply 1
Commenting so I recieve updates, I'm in a similar position (applied to Cambridge but got rejected, am also thinking of doing a gap year to then apply to Oxford)
Reply 2
Hi @humbug887 - really sorry to hear about your rejection. Keep your chin up and try not to take it to heart - it's such a competitive game.
Long story short - yes, it can work to take a gap year to reapply, and it does.
I work at a company that employs gap year students as tutors in schools and colleges, and a huge number of my colleagues every year are reapplying to competitive courses and unis like Oxbridge/Medicine/Dentistry/etc. And it does work - a chap named Sam who worked with us a couple of years ago is now studying at Trinity College, Oxford, and he wrote a blog about his experience with reapplying. Sam's just one of many.
I'd also recommend you follow Matt Williams on LinkedIn - he's an access fellow at Jesus College, Oxford, and he writes a lot about handling rejection (especially at this time of year). He's got a really good insight on whether it's worth reapplying, both in terms of your chances of getting in and how it'll impact your life if you do so.
So, if you're determined, it's absolutely possible. It's not guaranteed though - when making the decision, you should consider how you'll feel if you take a gap year to reapply and aren't successful. Will you feel like you've wasted a year? Or will you be grateful that you gave it your best shot?
If you do so, make sure you're planning a gap year that you'll be happy to have taken whether you get your place or not, be that working, travelling, etc. I took a gap year without even reapplying and was very glad I did, so it's entirely possible.
Whatever happens, know that your future happiness doesn't hinge on Oxbridge - I have friends who were successful and friends who weren't, and I can't say any of them have ruined their life either way.
Long story short - yes, it can work to take a gap year to reapply, and it does.
I work at a company that employs gap year students as tutors in schools and colleges, and a huge number of my colleagues every year are reapplying to competitive courses and unis like Oxbridge/Medicine/Dentistry/etc. And it does work - a chap named Sam who worked with us a couple of years ago is now studying at Trinity College, Oxford, and he wrote a blog about his experience with reapplying. Sam's just one of many.
I'd also recommend you follow Matt Williams on LinkedIn - he's an access fellow at Jesus College, Oxford, and he writes a lot about handling rejection (especially at this time of year). He's got a really good insight on whether it's worth reapplying, both in terms of your chances of getting in and how it'll impact your life if you do so.
So, if you're determined, it's absolutely possible. It's not guaranteed though - when making the decision, you should consider how you'll feel if you take a gap year to reapply and aren't successful. Will you feel like you've wasted a year? Or will you be grateful that you gave it your best shot?
If you do so, make sure you're planning a gap year that you'll be happy to have taken whether you get your place or not, be that working, travelling, etc. I took a gap year without even reapplying and was very glad I did, so it's entirely possible.
Whatever happens, know that your future happiness doesn't hinge on Oxbridge - I have friends who were successful and friends who weren't, and I can't say any of them have ruined their life either way.
Reply 3
Original post
by humbug887Hi Guys
Just got my Oxford rejection today for ppe. I was predicted A*A*A and I feel that might have let me down a bit - I feel like I can get 3 A*s in the summer and so, if I do, do you think my chances will be significantly higher as the grades are high and also achieved (not predicted)? Could anybody who took a gap year to reapply offer any other advice too pls. Thanks
Just got my Oxford rejection today for ppe. I was predicted A*A*A and I feel that might have let me down a bit - I feel like I can get 3 A*s in the summer and so, if I do, do you think my chances will be significantly higher as the grades are high and also achieved (not predicted)? Could anybody who took a gap year to reapply offer any other advice too pls. Thanks
Hey did you end up reapplying? if yes how did it go?
Reply 4
15
Original post
by humbug887Hi Guys
Just got my Oxford rejection today for ppe. I was predicted A*A*A and I feel that might have let me down a bit - I feel like I can get 3 A*s in the summer and so, if I do, do you think my chances will be significantly higher as the grades are high and also achieved (not predicted)? Could anybody who took a gap year to reapply offer any other advice too pls. Thanks
Just got my Oxford rejection today for ppe. I was predicted A*A*A and I feel that might have let me down a bit - I feel like I can get 3 A*s in the summer and so, if I do, do you think my chances will be significantly higher as the grades are high and also achieved (not predicted)? Could anybody who took a gap year to reapply offer any other advice too pls. Thanks
I would very much be surprised if the difference between predicted A*A*A and achieved A*A*A* would have been the difference between rejection and an offer. More likely there were things in the test or interviews that mattered more - for that reason I would seek feedback on how they want before deciding anything.
Reply 5
20
Original post
by RichEI would very much be surprised if the difference between predicted A*A*A and achieved A*A*A* would have been the difference between rejection and an offer. More likely there were things in the test or interviews that mattered more - for that reason I would seek feedback on how they want before deciding anything.
Exeter are saying no feedback this year.Hard on those rejected.
Reply 6
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Original post
by ScotneyExeter are saying no feedback this year.Hard on those rejected.
I can’t see how that’s legal frankly.
Reply 7
20
Original post
by RichEI can’t see how that’s legal frankly.
Several of the Cambridge Colleges do it but pupil was quite clear this was the case for Exeter College too.I do think it is very unfair on rejected students who might want to apply again if a close call.
Reply 8
I reckon the biggest advantage is being able to retake the admissions test. You'll probably score better the second time around.
Reply 9
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Original post
by connor0xI reckon the biggest advantage is being able to retake the admissions test. You'll probably score better the second time around.
There are past papers available though so how much an advantage would it actually be?
Reply 10
Original post
by ScotneyThere are past papers available though so how much an advantage would it actually be?
You have a whole extra year to prepare for it. I think if someone put effort in they could at least gain a couple extra marks in that time.
Plus simply being a year older probably helps with standardised test scores. If you look at the average score for admissions tests like the TSA, Harris-Manchester, the 21+ college, always has the highest average score by a wide margin.
Reply 11
20
Original post
by connor0xYou have a whole extra year to prepare for it. I think if someone put effort in they could at least gain a couple extra marks in that time.
Plus simply being a year older probably helps with standardised test scores. If you look at the average score for admissions tests like the TSA, Harris-Manchester, the 21+ college, always has the highest average score by a wide margin.
Plus simply being a year older probably helps with standardised test scores. If you look at the average score for admissions tests like the TSA, Harris-Manchester, the 21+ college, always has the highest average score by a wide margin.
Yes fair point on time for prep and just knowing what the whole process entails and of course having those grades in the bag always helps.I certainly think applying for the first time after A levels is a more relaxed affair but what you really want to know if reapplying is those interview scores imo
Reply 12
I got rejected from Oxford last year for earth sciences and reapplied with a similar PS and interviews to last time and just got in. So deffo think it’s worth reapplying also a gap year is sm fun!
Reply 13
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Original post
by capitalt101I got rejected from Oxford last year for earth sciences and reapplied with a similar PS and interviews to last time and just got in. So deffo think it’s worth reapplying also a gap year is sm fun!
Oh really well done.What made you decide to try again?Did you get any feedback last year?
Reply 14
Original post
by RichEI can’t see how that’s legal frankly.
Which legal principle do you suggest is being contravened? The college would not be obliged by data protection legislation to disclose the reasons for an admission decision, because the information is not within the categories disclosable under a Subject Access Request. Section 36(2)(b)ii) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 exempts such information from disclosure under the freedom of information regime.
Reply 15
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Original post
by Stiffy ByngWhich legal principle do you suggest is being contravened? The college would not be obliged by data protection legislation to disclose the reasons for an admission decision, because the information is not within the categories disclosable under a Subject Access Request. Section 36(2)(b)ii) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 exempts such information from disclosure under the freedom of information regime.
I would have thought a test mark was personal data. I'm not talking about detailed feedback, just the numerical data - test marks and interview grades.
Reply 16
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Original post
by RichEI would have thought a test mark was personal data. I'm not talking about detailed feedback, just the numerical data - test marks and interview grades.
Some students did get the interview scores back with email yesterday from other colleges but Exeter just saying no feedback at all.
Reply 17
Original post
by RichEI would have thought a test mark was personal data. I'm not talking about detailed feedback, just the numerical data - test marks and interview grades.
I agree that numerical test marks would be disclosable on request.
(edited 1 year ago)
Reply 18
Original post
by capitalt101I got rejected from Oxford last year for earth sciences and reapplied with a similar PS and interviews to last time and just got in. So deffo think it’s worth reapplying also a gap year is sm fun!
Hi, I’m in a similar position and got rejected for Earth Sciences this year and am considering reapplying. Did you get any personal feedback that helped you to reapply as I have just received general feedback about the admissions process this year? Also which parts of your application did you try and improve second time around?
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