Where would I have a better chance of getting in for Law? Oxford or Cambridge?

Just for reference, my stats are A*A*A* with an A* in EPQ about Law.
My GCSEs are 9999988888 and an A in FSMQ Add maths
Initially i was planning on applying to Oxford for Law, however I have seen that around 30% get through to interview stage whereas for Cambridge around 70-80% get interviewed. My LNAT prep is going alright but my problem is that I don’t know if my personal statement really reads extremely well and would put me above other candidates. so in this case would it be better for me to apply to Cambridge and lessen the risk of not getting an interview? I’d say my interview skills are decent. Or should i risk it and go for Oxford, where the chance of interview is lower, but then the interview has less weight.
Does anyone have any thoughts or could anyone help with this, as I have around a week to decide? Thanks

Reply 1

Stiffy Byng

You should make your choice based on the structure of the course, the compulsory subjects, the optional subjects, and which of the two places your prefer, preferably after visiting both places or at least watching some videos about them.

It is no more or less difficult to obtain a place to read law at Oxford than it is at Cambridge. The two universities have similar admissions systems but there are some differences. For example, as you know, Cambridge tends to interview more candidates than Oxford does.

Reply 2

jckmt

Original post by Stiffy Byng

You should make your choice based on the structure of the course, the compulsory subjects, the optional subjects, and which of the two places your prefer, preferably after visiting both places or at least watching some videos about them.
It is no more or less difficult to obtain a place to read law at Oxford than it is at Cambridge. The two universities have similar admissions systems but there are some differences. For example, as you know, Cambridge tends to interview more candidates than Oxford does.

Thank you very much for the reply, I really appreciate it, I've visited both and would love to study at any of them. Do you know if personal statement holds a lot of weight for Oxford's admission formula? I'm worried that if I apply to Oxford my personal statement isn't as good as other applicants, and might lead to me not getting shortlisted for interview.

Reply 3

Stiffy Byng

Original post by jckmt

I know a few law tutors at Oxford and they tell me that they don't pay a lot of attention to personal statements. My daughter was interviewed for her place to read law at Oxford, last year. The interviewers did not ask about anything in her personal statement. Make of that what you will. Your mileage may vary.

Reply 4

jckmt

Original post by Stiffy Byng

Thank you so much that is extremely useful, could you tell me which college the tutors who said that are from please?

Reply 5

Stiffy Byng

Original post by jckmt

Thank you so much that is extremely useful, could you tell me which college the tutors who said that are from please?

Magdalen, Wadham, and St Edmund Hall.

Bear in mind that at Oxford the initial sifting of applicants is done centrally by the Faculty of Law (most Oxford academics have a university job and a college job, and each year some of the law tutors from various colleges will be tasked with the initial sift). Details of those candidates still in the race after the first sift are then sent to colleges, which decide which candidates to interview. You might be interviewed by one college or by two or more colleges.