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oxford physics

Year 9 is almost over and I haven't had many extracurricular activities. I will start preparing for the National Astrophysics Olympiads in the summer and I am looking for internship programmes at universities. Since my goal is to get into Oxford for physics and my only option is to gain a scholarship, can you suggest any other EC's that might earn me a scholarship? Thank you very much😊
Original post by anonymous
Year 9 is almost over and I haven't had many extracurricular activities. I will start preparing for the National Astrophysics Olympiads in the summer and I am looking for internship programmes at universities. Since my goal is to get into Oxford for physics and my only option is to gain a scholarship, can you suggest any other EC's that might earn me a scholarship? Thank you very much😊

Hello. I suggest that you may be worrying needlessly. First of all, you still a fair way from sixth form, and there's no rush. Not burning out is important. Secondly, at the admissions stage, Oxford isn't interested in anything that isn't academic or related to academic study. Thus "super-curricular" activities are useful, but extra-curricular activities, whilst valuable in their own right, are not relevant to an application to Oxford.

It may be that you are talking about super-curriculars. Your teachers may be able to suggest some useful things to do (physics competitions, summer schools, and so on).

I suggest that you focus on getting good GCSE grades, and then work hard for A levels or the IB. But also have fun, and don't try to take on too much. Oxford is looking for academic potential. It's seeking keen scholars who are teachable. It's not looking for fully formed physicists who have discovered three new particles, mapped every Black Hole, and proved or disproved String Theory.

TL/DR? You only need one Nobel Prize to apply to Oxford. Ignore those who say that you need two (that's Cambridge, and you know what they're like).
(edited 9 months ago)
Reply 2
Original post by Stiffy Byng
Hello. I suggest that you may be worrying needlessly. First of all, you still a fair way from sixth form, and there's no rush. Not burning out is important. Secondly, at the admissions stage, Oxford isn't interested in anything that isn't academic or related to academic study. Thus "super-curricular" activities are useful, but extra curricular activities, whilst important and valuable in their own right, are not relevant to an application to Oxford.
It may be that you are talking about super-curriculars. Your teachers may be able to suggest some useful things to do (essay competitions, summer schools, and so on).
I suggest that you focus on getting good GCSE grades, and then work hard for A levels or the IB. But also have fun, and don't try to take on too much. Oxford is looking for academic potential. It's seeking keen scholars who are teachable. It's not looking for fully formed physicists who have discovered three new particles, mapped every Black Hole, and proved or disproved String Theory.
TL/DR? You only need one Nobel Prize to apply to Oxford . Ignore those who say that you need two (that's Cambridge, and you know what they're like).

thanks this was very helpful🙏
Original post by Anonymous
thanks this was very helpful🙏

You're welcome. Also, if you are a UK student, a scholarship is not your only option. You can obtain a student loan and pay it off as graduate tax once your start earning a certain amount. No need to go nuts: being Head of CERN should pay well enough.

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