Should i apply to Oxford?

For A-levels, I do Biology, Chemistry and Maths My Target Grades are A*AA and I wish to do Medicine at Oxford.
My A-level Predictions are good enough to apply but I know Oxford look closely at your Gcse's and I think mine arent good enough for Oxford but I honestly have no idea so I would Love your Opinions.

I got 8,8,8,7,7,7,6,6,6,6,5,3

I got 8 in Maths 8 in Chemistry, and 7 in Biology

Reply 1

Anonymous #1

Oxford do look at gcses but they do it contextually- if the 5 and the 3 were in subjects which aren’t relevant to the course you’re applying for, it will be less of an issue, and equally if you went to a state school where the grade averages might be lower, that is taken into account. If your personal statement is of high quality and shows genuine enthusiasm for the subject, and the admission test/interview goes well, you could definitely still have a chance. That being said, always keep in mind that Oxford is super competitive (especially medicine) so nothing is certain, even with all 9s at gcses and 6 a*s at a level etc. Hope this helps and good luck applying!

Reply 2

sound-famous-

Medicine is an extremely competitive course anywhere, and you only get 4 choices to get at least one offer. Think carefully about whether Oxford will be a waste of a choice.

Reply 3

Jonjon7

Original post by lukem0414

For A-levels, I do Biology, Chemistry and Maths My Target Grades are A*AA and I wish to do Medicine at Oxford.
My A-level Predictions are good enough to apply but I know Oxford look closely at your Gcse's and I think mine arent good enough for Oxford but I honestly have no idea so I would Love your Opinions.
I got 8,8,8,7,7,7,6,6,6,6,5,3
I got 8 in Maths 8 in Chemistry, and 7 in Biology

What is your A level predictions - is your Biology, Chemistry and Maths results A*AA respectively?

GCSE results rather weak, apologies if I sound harsh, do look at the Statistics for GCSE requirement

https://www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/study/medicine/pre-clinical/statistics

You have good GCSE results but for Oxford, you only have 3x 8 and the brunt stats from Oxford - not shortlisted for interview.

If you have any circumstances that fall under their Contextual data, that would be a different
story

https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/decisions/contextual-data

Reply 4

lukem0414

Original post by Jonjon7

What is your A level predictions - is your Biology, Chemistry and Maths results A*AA respectively?
GCSE results rather weak, apologies if I sound harsh, do look at the Statistics for GCSE requirement
https://www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/study/medicine/pre-clinical/statistics
You have good GCSE results but for Oxford, you only have 3x 8 and the brunt stats from Oxford - not shortlisted for interview.
If you have any circumstances that fall under their Contextual data, that would be a different
story
https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/decisions/contextual-data

I live in a Quartile 1 area and I go to a grammar school but one of my parents went to university do you think I would be eligible for a contextual offer?

Reply 5

lukem0414

I live in a Quintile 1 area and I go to a Grammar School but 1 of my parents went to university and studied french. Do you think I would be eligible for Contextual offer?

Reply 6

Jonjon7

Original post by lukem0414

I live in a Quartile 1 area and I go to a grammar school but one of my parents went to university do you think I would be eligible for a contextual offer?

Oxbridge do not give out contextual offer but they uses a series of contextual data to prioritise and determine whether to invite candidate for interview. In your case, your neighbourhood of Quntile 1 (presumably Polar 4) should fit Oxford's number 2 criteria.

They will likely then to compare your results against your school's average. If most students attained GCSE and A predicted results are lower than yours, then it should shine better for you.

But it is entirely up to Oxford to review you in full really. It aint easy to say whether they will invite you for interview.

All e best!

Reply 7

Stiffy Byng

https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/decisions/contextual-data

Reply 8

Anonymous #2

Original post by Jonjon7

Oxbridge do not give out contextual offer but they uses a series of contextual data to prioritise and determine whether to invite candidate for interview. In your case, your neighbourhood of Quntile 1 (presumably Polar 4) should fit Oxford's number 2 criteria.
They will likely then to compare your results against your school's average. If most students attained GCSE and A predicted results are lower than yours, then it should shine better for you.
But it is entirely up to Oxford to review you in full really. It aint easy to say whether they will invite you for interview.
All e best!

Oxbridge look at how good your predicted grades are compared to others at your school?

Reply 9

Jonjon7

Original post by Anonymous

Oxbridge look at how good your predicted grades are compared to others at your school?

Sorry not sure what your question is. Are you asking if Oxford compared your results to others at your school? If yes, it's answered in para 2 in my post.

Reply 10

Anonymous #2

Original post by Jonjon7

Sorry not sure what your question is. Are you asking if Oxford compared your results to others at your school? If yes, it's answered in para 2 in my post.

OK thanks, I knew they compared GCSE results but I didnt know they compared A-Level predicted grades.

Reply 11

thegeek888

Original post by lukem0414

For A-levels, I do Biology, Chemistry and Maths My Target Grades are A*AA and I wish to do Medicine at Oxford.
My A-level Predictions are good enough to apply but I know Oxford look closely at your Gcse's and I think mine arent good enough for Oxford but I honestly have no idea so I would Love your Opinions.
I got 8,8,8,7,7,7,6,6,6,6,5,3
I got 8 in Maths 8 in Chemistry, and 7 in Biology

Apply to Cambridge University instead of Oxford University. Because Cambridge places less emphasis on GCSE grades.

Reply 12

Jonjon7

Original post by Anonymous

OK thanks, I knew they compared GCSE results but I didnt know they compared A-Level predicted grades.

If you go to Oxford medical entrance requirements, they clearly stated they scored GCSE and UCAT for initial scoring. There is no mention of using predicted A to score as they know schools can inflate predicted A score while GCSE is independently assessed. No need to spook yourself for non existence info.

Reply 13

Stiffy Byng

Original post by thegeek888

Apply to Cambridge University instead of Oxford University. Because Cambridge places less emphasis on GCSE grades.

This is one of those TSR myths. The reality is that Oxford and Cambridge assess applicants for undergraduate places in the round. GCSE grades are just one factor which the tutors consider.

Reply 14

thegeek888

Original post by Stiffy Byng

This is one of those TSR myths. The reality is that Oxford and Cambridge assess applicants for undergraduate places in the round. GCSE grades are just one factor which the tutors consider.

Thanks for the clarification. 🙂