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Average GCSEs from a high-achieving school: does that lower my chances?

I achieved 7A*, 1A, and 2Bs at GCSEs, which aren't bad in the grand scheme of things. However, I attend a private school where 50 out of 280 students got 8 A*s aka better than me, and six students got full A*s.

What I have got going for me (not saying this to brag at all, just trying to provide context): I've written a full-length novel over 2 years that I'm hoping will prove my passion & dedication to my subject and set me apart. I have a reputation among my peers & some teachers as 'that one English nerd who knows a lot about the subject and will talk your ear off about it'.

I'm planning on applying to Cambridge for English literature. I've already switched my preference from Oxford to Cambridge due to my non-ideal GCSEs, especially as I've heard they consider school context, and mine makes me look worse. Obviously not complaining about the system: I think it's fair & am glad it exists. I'm just wondering/worried about how it might affect me.

My lower grades are in subjects that are irrelevant to English (music, further pure maths, & chinese). I did very well in my relevant subjects (English, history, psychology). But given my relatively high-performing school background that makes me only slightly above average re: GCSEs, will this be an issue?

(edited 3 weeks ago)

Reply 1

ageshallnot

Original post by restoring-whirl

I achieved 7A*, 1A, and 2Bs at GCSEs, which aren't bad in the grand scheme of things. However, I attend a private school where 50 out of 280 students got 8 A*s aka better than me, and six students got full A*s.
What I have got going for me (not saying this to brag at all, just trying to provide context): I've written a full-length novel over 2 years that I'm hoping will prove my passion & dedication to my subject and set me apart. I have a reputation among my peers & some teachers as 'that one English nerd who knows a lot about the subject and will talk your ear off about it'.
I'm planning on applying to Cambridge for English literature. I've already switched my preference from Oxford to Cambridge due to my non-ideal GCSEs, especially as I've heard they consider school context, and mine makes me look worse. Obviously not complaining about the system: I think it's fair & am glad it exists. I'm just wondering/worried about how it might affect me.
My lower grades are in subjects that are irrelevant to English (music, further pure maths, & chinese). I did very well in my relevant subjects (English, history, psychology). But given my relatively high-performing school background that makes me only slightly above average re: GCSEs, will this be an issue?

It's an issue of sorts but certainly doesn't rule you out.

Reply 2

Stiffy Byng

In reality, each of Oxford and Cambridge look at the GCSE results achieved by applicants, but as only one factor amongst many. There's a myth that Oxford goes nutso about GCSEs and Cambridge doesn't care about them.

I doubt that Cambridge or Oxford will have the slightest interest in your (unpublished?) novel, unless, perhaps, the novel wins the Booker Prize. They are likely to be interested in which novels you've read.

Oxford and Cambridge are not looking for people who know all about a subject. They are looking for people who wish to learn all about a subject, and are teachable.

(edited 3 weeks ago)

Reply 3

restoring-whirl

Original post by Stiffy Byng

In reality, each of Oxford and Cambridge look at the GCSE results achieved by applicants, but as only one factor amongst many. There's a myth that Oxford goes nutso about GCSEs and Cambridge doesn't care about them.
I doubt that Cambridge or Oxford will have the slightest interest in your (unpublished?) novel, unless, perhaps, the novel wins the Booker Prize. They are likely to be interested in which novels you've read.
Oxford and Cambridge are not looking for people who know all about a subject. They are looking for people who wish to learn all about a subject, and are teachable.

Really (regarding the novel)? I figured they might care about it the way they care about extracurriculars. For example, they'd definitely care if I started a school reading club, so I thought writing (& publishing, which it will be soon) a novel would be similar: showing my discipline & motivation, as well as demonstrating my passion for the subject? As in, this novel has gone through 9 drafts, about 3 hours per day for 2 years - easily more time spent on it than studying for my GCSEs. So I can't lie and say I'm not majorly disheartened if it turns out they really don't care about this literature-related project that I really have poured my heart, soul, and the sheer maximum of my ability into.

Not blaming you for being the messenger, just clarifying if it really will be the case. If it helps, I can tie it into reading widely on my personal statement by saying I read a lot of postmodern/experimental/metafictional novels to develop my style?

(edited 3 weeks ago)

Reply 4

Stiffy Byng

If your novel is published by a recognised publishing house, that might perhaps be of some interest to universities. If you self-publish the novel, that might not be so impressive.

It's possible that universities might prefer you to have spent more time studying than writing a novel.

Tying your writing into your reading interests in your personal statement would probably be a good idea.

Good luck!