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Original post by Sakai04
Oxford reject 🔥 Imperial incoming, maybe?
Aiming for 3A*s, realistically getting 3 Us
Past papers to do!
Maths: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 P1, P3, 2023
Chemistry: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Physics: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 P1, P2, 2023
Completed!
Maths: 2017, 2018, 2022 P1
Chemistry: 2017, 2018
Physics: 2022 P3
Plans for after A levels?
Clapping professors at Oxford open day 👏 and meeting Thriving Frog irl 🦦
Aiming for 3A*s, realistically getting 3 Us
Past papers to do!
Maths: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 P1, P3, 2023
Chemistry: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Physics: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 P1, P2, 2023
Completed!
Maths: 2017, 2018, 2022 P1
Chemistry: 2017, 2018
Physics: 2022 P3
Plans for after A levels?
Clapping professors at Oxford open day 👏 and meeting Thriving Frog irl 🦦
Which subject did you apply for at Oxford? Perhaps you should re-apply with your A-Levels achieved this October again?
Original post by Sakai04
I applied for chemistry, my interview scores were 5.5 and 5.5... lowest offer my college made was 6 and 5.5
I'm considering reapplying, only if I get 3A*s
Otherwise, I'm going imperial for chemistry 😇
(Unless if I somehow get lower than 3As 😭)
I'm considering reapplying, only if I get 3A*s
Otherwise, I'm going imperial for chemistry 😇
(Unless if I somehow get lower than 3As 😭)
Imperial is arguably just as good as Oxford for chemistry. I wouldn’t take a year out just to apply to Oxford again. You might get rejected again, and there is no guarantee that you would get into Imperial again either. Not worth it in my opinion, unless you wanted to take a gap year anyway for some other reason, like travelling.
Original post by Sakai04
I know that it's a big risk, I'm not expecting to get into Ox either if I were to reapply, the only condition that I would 'consider' gap yearing, would be if I were to get 3A*s.
I want to get good at maths and chemistry before starting university. Mainly, because I'm worried I'm going to struggle in imperial's course with only A level maths knowledge, as I want to take Maths and Physics part 1. I'm hoping to specialise in physical and organic chemistry, and maybe pursue a master's at Ox instead. I know that imperial's physical chemistry department is one of the best in the world.
And I think taking a year out to recover from mental health struggles, getting my thyroid problems diagnosed (suspected Hashimoto's, but GP won't do anything until I get clinical hypothyroidism, which chances of developing are increasing 5% per year
) and chronic coccyx pain properly diagnosed as well, would be beneficial before starting uni.
I'd also be doing tech/business internships in possibly Germany, and travelling, if I were to gap year.
I want to get good at maths and chemistry before starting university. Mainly, because I'm worried I'm going to struggle in imperial's course with only A level maths knowledge, as I want to take Maths and Physics part 1. I'm hoping to specialise in physical and organic chemistry, and maybe pursue a master's at Ox instead. I know that imperial's physical chemistry department is one of the best in the world.
And I think taking a year out to recover from mental health struggles, getting my thyroid problems diagnosed (suspected Hashimoto's, but GP won't do anything until I get clinical hypothyroidism, which chances of developing are increasing 5% per year
) and chronic coccyx pain properly diagnosed as well, would be beneficial before starting uni. I'd also be doing tech/business internships in possibly Germany, and travelling, if I were to gap year.
Ah okay, so you would not be taking a gap year just to reapply to Oxford. In that case it’s different and you’d need to weigh up the pros and cons, which it sounds like you are doing already.
(edited 11 months ago)
Just returning to TSR for a very brief moment… don’t worry, I’ll be disappearing again soon lol
If you are planning on taking a gap year anyway for the sake of health, then you may as well reapply to Oxford if you are still absolutely convinced it is still where you wish to end up. You have four other spaces on UCAS that you can fill with “safer” choices and you presumably weren’t too far off an average offer holder’s performance in the interviews. My experience was that filling out the UCAS application and preparing for the interviews was much quicker and easier the second time round, if that is of any reassurance.
If you do reapply, do:
-Go to open days (if you can) for Oxford, Imperial and any other universities that appeal.
-Read around the subject. I recommend “Chemistry^3” by Burrows et al and the first quarter of “Organic Chemistry” by Clayden et al.
-Use RSC chemistry Olympiad past papers and C3L6 chemistry challenge past papers to practice problem solving before interviews.
-See if you can get mock interviews.
-Keep your maths skills sharp. This can be done by occasionally doing past papers, the edexcel IAL ones were my go-tos.
-Ask your school if you can use their buzzword for UCAS (and possibly do your interviews there if you cannot access all the technology needed for them).
And also, don’t:
-Reapply to the same Oxford college(s) that interviewed you or make an open application (unless you were interviewed by typically oversubscribed colleges).
-Do absolutely nothing in the way of studying.
-Apply only to Oxford (and Imperial). I applied only to Oxford in my gap year and realise just how dumb that was.
Lastly, if you don’t reapply to Oxford, then there is no shame in making that choice. There are plenty of brilliant universities out there and right now, it sounds as though you are taking the correct steps to ensure a strong set of A levels and to weigh up your options. Keep doing the amazing work and I’ll return around results day to see how things are going.
A bit of backstory you probably don’t need to read lmao
If you are planning on taking a gap year anyway for the sake of health, then you may as well reapply to Oxford if you are still absolutely convinced it is still where you wish to end up. You have four other spaces on UCAS that you can fill with “safer” choices and you presumably weren’t too far off an average offer holder’s performance in the interviews. My experience was that filling out the UCAS application and preparing for the interviews was much quicker and easier the second time round, if that is of any reassurance.
If you do reapply, do:
-Go to open days (if you can) for Oxford, Imperial and any other universities that appeal.
-Read around the subject. I recommend “Chemistry^3” by Burrows et al and the first quarter of “Organic Chemistry” by Clayden et al.
-Use RSC chemistry Olympiad past papers and C3L6 chemistry challenge past papers to practice problem solving before interviews.
-See if you can get mock interviews.
-Keep your maths skills sharp. This can be done by occasionally doing past papers, the edexcel IAL ones were my go-tos.
-Ask your school if you can use their buzzword for UCAS (and possibly do your interviews there if you cannot access all the technology needed for them).
And also, don’t:
-Reapply to the same Oxford college(s) that interviewed you or make an open application (unless you were interviewed by typically oversubscribed colleges).
-Do absolutely nothing in the way of studying.
-Apply only to Oxford (and Imperial). I applied only to Oxford in my gap year and realise just how dumb that was.
Lastly, if you don’t reapply to Oxford, then there is no shame in making that choice. There are plenty of brilliant universities out there and right now, it sounds as though you are taking the correct steps to ensure a strong set of A levels and to weigh up your options. Keep doing the amazing work and I’ll return around results day to see how things are going.
Original post by Sakai04
I applied for chemistry, my interview scores were 5.5 and 5.5... lowest offer my college made was 6 and 5.5
I'm considering reapplying, only if I get 3A*s
Otherwise, I'm going imperial for chemistry 😇
(Unless if I somehow get lower than 3As 😭)
I'm considering reapplying, only if I get 3A*s
Otherwise, I'm going imperial for chemistry 😇
(Unless if I somehow get lower than 3As 😭)
Original post by Sakai04
I'll consider it, thanks, but I think I'd rather spend my time learning the maths and physics, namely quantum mechanics as well, required for the course rather than worrying about another A level exam. But it's annoying that some colleges have a preference to people with furthermaths, which I think was part of the reason I was rejected, having seen that the vast majority of people of the college, all with 4 A levels, I applied to who've received offers having done fm.
I can give you the Edexcel Further Maths eBooks in the cloud online. 🙂
Hey I wanted to ask why u wanted to study chem I’m currently in yr12 and I don’t know what to do tbh I really do want to study chem but idk I if there is a lot u can get out of a degree in chem im not quite sure abt the careers u can get into that’s y I was also considering studying chem eng as I do enjoy maths and chem a lot and the physics seems calm and there’s a lot of career opportunities u can get out of it I just don’t know if that’s the same for chem
Original post by zk1658
Hey I wanted to ask why u wanted to study chem I’m currently in yr12 and I don’t know what to do tbh I really do want to study chem but idk I if there is a lot u can get out of a degree in chem im not quite sure abt the careers u can get into that’s y I was also considering studying chem eng as I do enjoy maths and chem a lot and the physics seems calm and there’s a lot of career opportunities u can get out of it I just don’t know if that’s the same for chem
Current Oxford Chemist here.
There are plenty of job opportunities accessible after both chemistry and chemical engineering.
If memory serves, most chemistry graduates who do not go into research or further study tend to go on to become chartered accountants/into the finance sector, practice patent law or go into teaching/the education sector. Of course, this is far from a comprehensive list of possible job opportunities and a better list can be found here: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/chemistry.
A similar list can be found here for chemical engineering: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/chemical-engineering
I personally have an interest in going into research, with a particular focus on catalyst design and transition metal chemistry (i.e specialising into inorganic chemistry). If you are struggling to decide on a job you like the sound of now (which is perfectly fine), then I would urge you to compare and contrast roughly what both degrees entail as they are different and you may find the material covered in one is much less appealing than the other.
(edited 11 months ago)
Original post by TypicalNerd
Current Oxford Chemist here.
There are plenty of job opportunities accessible after both chemistry and chemical engineering.
If memory serves, most chemistry graduates who do not go into research or further study tend to go on to become chartered accountants/into the finance sector, practice patent law or go into teaching/the education sector. Of course, this is far from a comprehensive list of possible job opportunities and a better list can be found here: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/chemistry.
A similar list can be found here for chemical engineering: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/chemical-engineering
I personally have an interest in going into research, with a particular focus on catalyst design and transition metal chemistry (i.e specialising into inorganic chemistry). If you are struggling to decide on a job you like the sound of now (which is perfectly fine), then I would urge you to compare and contrast roughly what both degrees entail as they are different and you may find the material covered in one is much less appealing than the other.
There are plenty of job opportunities accessible after both chemistry and chemical engineering.
If memory serves, most chemistry graduates who do not go into research or further study tend to go on to become chartered accountants/into the finance sector, practice patent law or go into teaching/the education sector. Of course, this is far from a comprehensive list of possible job opportunities and a better list can be found here: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/chemistry.
A similar list can be found here for chemical engineering: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/chemical-engineering
I personally have an interest in going into research, with a particular focus on catalyst design and transition metal chemistry (i.e specialising into inorganic chemistry). If you are struggling to decide on a job you like the sound of now (which is perfectly fine), then I would urge you to compare and contrast roughly what both degrees entail as they are different and you may find the material covered in one is much less appealing than the other.
Thank you for ur help I will definitely look into both courses in further detail i think for me it’s just hard because both courses sound really appealing so I think it would be wiser for me to pick the one with more job opportunities 😭😭😭
Original post by zk1658
Thank you for ur help I will definitely look into both courses in further detail i think for me it’s just hard because both courses sound really appealing so I think it would be wiser for me to pick the one with more job opportunities 😭😭😭
It’s difficult to accurately determine which course actually offers more job opportunities. I mean, if everyone were to pick degrees based on how many job opportunities they perceived a degree to offer, then we’d probably have millions of mathematicians and only a tiny handful of doctors lol.
I think if you are really stuck, you can try doing the following:
-Go on open days to universities that appeal to you and ask about the chemistry and chemical engineering courses to see what they really entail.
-Start a thread here on TSR asking for chemistry and chemical engineering students/graduates opinions on the employability prospects of either degree.
-If you do happen to come across any ideas of the sorts of jobs or further qualifications you might want to consider applying for post-uni, look on websites like indeed.com (for jobs) and postgraduate admissions sites (for further study) to see what degree courses (and degree classifications) that would be expected if you were to apply for said jobs/courses.
Original post by Sakai04
Hi I saw your private message, however you've disabled access for people to reply back in pms, so I hope that you will be able to see my reply here instead.
Thank you for the kind wishes. I'm going to try my best at A levels, but I'm not going to work beyond what my health is willing to permit. Even though I highly doubt that I'll achieve the 3A*s I originally hoped for, I'll be happy with any result I receive knowing that I tried.
I've been trying to not compromise my health over studies lately, and so haven't studied properly for over 2 weeks already. I'm slowly regaining my health back again. I know I'm underprepared for my exams, and a part of me is panicking. I'll have to learn to accept failures in that respect, and move on.
Thanks a lot for everything. I cherish your kindness in being willing to listen to my problems and I sincerely appreciate all the advice you've given me. You're a great friend to me, and you've helped me greatly. I hope everything is well with you likewise. Wishing you all the best.
Thank you for the kind wishes. I'm going to try my best at A levels, but I'm not going to work beyond what my health is willing to permit. Even though I highly doubt that I'll achieve the 3A*s I originally hoped for, I'll be happy with any result I receive knowing that I tried.
I've been trying to not compromise my health over studies lately, and so haven't studied properly for over 2 weeks already. I'm slowly regaining my health back again. I know I'm underprepared for my exams, and a part of me is panicking. I'll have to learn to accept failures in that respect, and move on.
Thanks a lot for everything. I cherish your kindness in being willing to listen to my problems and I sincerely appreciate all the advice you've given me. You're a great friend to me, and you've helped me greatly. I hope everything is well with you likewise. Wishing you all the best.
All the best bro
Original post by Sakai04
Hi everyone, I've decided to delete most of my posts here, because I've realised that academics no-longer mean anything for me.
They were a distraction to all the trauma I was dealing with.
Oxford:
I lied to myself over, and over again that I would be happy only at Oxford. In reality I was just scared of being alone again, and I have very good and kind friends that I miss dearly that go there, which was the main reason why I wanted to go in the first place.
I loved my second interview, because I loved talking about chemistry, learning with kind and supportive teachers. It felt like a dream come true. It was everything that I had wanted back then in a university.
One of the interviewers in my first interview inferred I was stupid and didn't even know the A level. The other interviewer didn't listen when I told him that I was struggling to keep up with how fast he was talking. I cried after my first interview, and you know, people would say toughen up, deal with it. But the reality is, there can and very well be an oppressive or 'bad' environment at Oxford, and your tutors can very well make a difference, as much as people don't want to admit it. It's not all about teachability, or academic ability, but also how much the tutor likes you from that hour's interaction.
Now I'm aware there are people on this platform who'll defend Oxford till the bitter end, call anyone who disagrees with their opinion stupid or worse. I've tried to offer advice on some things, and if they were to disagree with it, passive aggressive comments incoming, bet! I forgive you, I'm not looking to fight anyone here. I'm just pointing out the environment of this platform, and why I no-longer wish to participate actively here.
Health:
I was working 5-8 hours daily. I was putting studying over my health. I'd feel sick, weak, nausea and so many health issues as a consequence of this obsession over studying... to cope! I have a mal-formed tailbone, and flat feet. Just by sitting down normally, my tail bone became inflamed, and I would still study under chronic pain, in my feet, legs and tail-bone, even if I were to alternate between sitting down and standing. I've become more short-sighted, dry-eyes, so much so that my eyes were red and I could barely keep them open, visual snow and floaters worse than ever, all for the purpose of studying. I was mentally destroyed as well as a consequence of everything.
It took me to the point, where I could barely get up from bed because I was so sick, that I knew that I could not continue like this.
Walking forward:
I was a broken and lost person, but now I've found purpose in life with God, and I go where he wants me to go, and I live the life of how he wants me to live, I will no-longer avoid my calling in life and keep running away. He's calling me to live a healthier life, one where I don't put my health, both mental and physical, over studying.
I don't care if I end up getting 3Us at A level. I don't even think that I'll be able to get the grades for Oxford alone to reapply. You can call me stupid, whatever, and that I would've never survived Oxford if I did end up going there. But in all truth and honesty, I don't believe the purpose in life is academic success. One may be blinded by such things, and dream to go to Oxford, and spend their entire lives chasing after this belief that it'll bring you satisfaction or happiness. But nothing in this world can satisfy that apart from God. Even, family, friends, simply being kind, honest and loving are greater things than chasing money and or academic validation.
They were a distraction to all the trauma I was dealing with.
Oxford:
I lied to myself over, and over again that I would be happy only at Oxford. In reality I was just scared of being alone again, and I have very good and kind friends that I miss dearly that go there, which was the main reason why I wanted to go in the first place.
I loved my second interview, because I loved talking about chemistry, learning with kind and supportive teachers. It felt like a dream come true. It was everything that I had wanted back then in a university.
One of the interviewers in my first interview inferred I was stupid and didn't even know the A level. The other interviewer didn't listen when I told him that I was struggling to keep up with how fast he was talking. I cried after my first interview, and you know, people would say toughen up, deal with it. But the reality is, there can and very well be an oppressive or 'bad' environment at Oxford, and your tutors can very well make a difference, as much as people don't want to admit it. It's not all about teachability, or academic ability, but also how much the tutor likes you from that hour's interaction.
Now I'm aware there are people on this platform who'll defend Oxford till the bitter end, call anyone who disagrees with their opinion stupid or worse. I've tried to offer advice on some things, and if they were to disagree with it, passive aggressive comments incoming, bet! I forgive you, I'm not looking to fight anyone here. I'm just pointing out the environment of this platform, and why I no-longer wish to participate actively here.
Health:
I was working 5-8 hours daily. I was putting studying over my health. I'd feel sick, weak, nausea and so many health issues as a consequence of this obsession over studying... to cope! I have a mal-formed tailbone, and flat feet. Just by sitting down normally, my tail bone became inflamed, and I would still study under chronic pain, in my feet, legs and tail-bone, even if I were to alternate between sitting down and standing. I've become more short-sighted, dry-eyes, so much so that my eyes were red and I could barely keep them open, visual snow and floaters worse than ever, all for the purpose of studying. I was mentally destroyed as well as a consequence of everything.
It took me to the point, where I could barely get up from bed because I was so sick, that I knew that I could not continue like this.
Walking forward:
I was a broken and lost person, but now I've found purpose in life with God, and I go where he wants me to go, and I live the life of how he wants me to live, I will no-longer avoid my calling in life and keep running away. He's calling me to live a healthier life, one where I don't put my health, both mental and physical, over studying.
I don't care if I end up getting 3Us at A level. I don't even think that I'll be able to get the grades for Oxford alone to reapply. You can call me stupid, whatever, and that I would've never survived Oxford if I did end up going there. But in all truth and honesty, I don't believe the purpose in life is academic success. One may be blinded by such things, and dream to go to Oxford, and spend their entire lives chasing after this belief that it'll bring you satisfaction or happiness. But nothing in this world can satisfy that apart from God. Even, family, friends, simply being kind, honest and loving are greater things than chasing money and or academic validation.
Respect
I also get abuse by saying Oxbridge isn't the best for many degrees these days and that Imperial is toxic.
I hope you find the pathway that God has planned for you - take care.
Original post by Muttley79
Respect
I also get abuse by saying Oxbridge isn't the best for many degrees these days and that Imperial is toxic.
I hope you find the pathway that God has planned for you - take care.
I also get abuse by saying Oxbridge isn't the best for many degrees these days and that Imperial is toxic.
I hope you find the pathway that God has planned for you - take care.
Thank you, I'm going to delete everything on this account because certain people I no longer want to associate with might see what I have written, and use it against me.
Original post by thegeek888
Which subject did you apply for at Oxford? Perhaps you should re-apply with your A-Levels achieved this October again?
Yo ! How do you get the past papers ?
Original post by David Chukwuocha
Yo ! How do you get the past papers ?
Original post by thegeek888
For A-Level or TSA? 😧
A levels . Also , what is TSA?
Original post by David Chukwuocha
A levels . Also , what is TSA?
For A levels, you can find past papers on many pages. It depends on what subjects you are doing and what exam boards papers you are interested in. I would personally use the official websites:
AQA: https://www.aqa.org.uk/find-past-papers-and-mark-schemes
CCEA (Northern Irish exams only): https://ccea.org.uk/post-16/gce/past-papers-mark-schemes
CIE (International exams only): https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/support-and-training-for-schools/teaching-and-learning-during-covid-19/teaching-resources/past-papers/
Edexcel (English and international exams): https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/support/support-topics/exams/past-papers.html
Eduqas: https://www.eduqas.co.uk/home/past-papers/
OCR: https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/past-paper-finder/
WJEC (Welsh exams only): https://www.wjec.co.uk/home/student-support/revision/past-papers/
The TSA is the thinking skills assessment - it’s the entrance exam for some subjects at Oxford.
Original post by Muttley79
Respect
I also get abuse by saying Oxbridge isn't the best for many degrees these days and that Imperial is toxic.
I hope you find the pathway that God has planned for you - take care.
I also get abuse by saying Oxbridge isn't the best for many degrees these days and that Imperial is toxic.
I hope you find the pathway that God has planned for you - take care.
God bless you for replying I really wanted to see what OP said; and damn that is like the first if not only like the second person on here who has visual snow, was so comforting to see that still
more on the topic at hand tho; for real all these top universities; oxbridge, imperial, lse especially as well– I mean, with the current job market at hand anyways it's more so down to the actual person than the uni nowadays for real, and in terms of qualities of specific degrees other universites and even some non-russell groups are better, as well as the student experience.
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