Oxford Rejection Reason?
Hey, Im an international student from Asia who wasn't even shortlisted for the 2025 cycle to PPE at Merton. Today, I just got the score result for my TSA which I heared the most decisive factor in being shortlisted.
I scores 72 and the mean score for successful applicants was 73.
Here I would like to know your opinion on why I wasn't even shortlisted with this TSA score. The reasons I was guessing was
1) because I'm an international students which has higher competition
2)because I applied to Merton which is considered academically great
Thank you!!
I scores 72 and the mean score for successful applicants was 73.
Here I would like to know your opinion on why I wasn't even shortlisted with this TSA score. The reasons I was guessing was
1) because I'm an international students which has higher competition
2)because I applied to Merton which is considered academically great
Thank you!!
Scroll to see replies
Original post by Satoruhg
Hey, Im an international student from Asia who wasn't even shortlisted for the 2025 cycle to PPE at Merton. Today, I just got the score result for my TSA which I heared the most decisive factor in being shortlisted.
I scores 72 and the mean score for successful applicants was 73.
Here I would like to know your opinion on why I wasn't even shortlisted with this TSA score. The reasons I was guessing was
1) because I'm an international students which has higher competition
2)because I applied to Merton which is considered academically great
Thank you!!
I scores 72 and the mean score for successful applicants was 73.
Here I would like to know your opinion on why I wasn't even shortlisted with this TSA score. The reasons I was guessing was
1) because I'm an international students which has higher competition
2)because I applied to Merton which is considered academically great
Thank you!!
it’s like neither of those. other stuff that can affect the application is your grades/predicted grades (probably biggest factor) and personal statement. surprisingly since they normally like international students (bring more money) so that probably isn’t the reason, nor is ther test score. i’m not sure, but just remember how insanely competitive it is and know that you’ll do well whichever uni you go to!
As above, thousands of good applicants for Oxford and Cambridge are rejected every year - its all about competition for places, and each Uni picking the students they think will do best in their tutorial system. Don't let it get you down, look at the other offers you have, and move on.
Some colleges can also give feedback on your application. I personally emailed my college and they gave me a form to fill out to receive it
Original post by Satoruhg
Hey, Im an international student from Asia who wasn't even shortlisted for the 2025 cycle to PPE at Merton. Today, I just got the score result for my TSA which I heared the most decisive factor in being shortlisted.
I scores 72 and the mean score for successful applicants was 73.
Here I would like to know your opinion on why I wasn't even shortlisted with this TSA score. The reasons I was guessing was
1) because I'm an international students which has higher competition
2)because I applied to Merton which is considered academically great
Thank you!!
I scores 72 and the mean score for successful applicants was 73.
Here I would like to know your opinion on why I wasn't even shortlisted with this TSA score. The reasons I was guessing was
1) because I'm an international students which has higher competition
2)because I applied to Merton which is considered academically great
Thank you!!
Your application was almost certainly assessed in exactly the same way as every other application, and was almost certainly not decided by reference to your place of origin or residence. Every college in Oxford is academically great, and the best applicants are offered places at a college other than the target college if that college cannot offer them a place.
I am sorry for your disappointment. The college considered all aspects of your application. There is no one factor which guarantees an offer.
The suggestion made by another poster above that Oxford admissions are influenced in favour of international students by fees is, I suggest, as unevidenced as the opposite suggestion that Oxford applies tougher standards to international students.
Oxford is in a relatively secure financial position and doesn't have to lower its undergraduate entrance standards in order to obtain fees.
It would be unlawful for Oxford to apply different undergraduate entrance standards on the grounds of national origin or other protected characteristic, and, absent evidence from which unlawful conduct could reasonably be inferred, such conduct shouldn't be assumed.
Oxford applies a Government-mandated quota on medical students from outside the UK, but that isn't relevant to those applying to study subjects other than Medicine.
Original post by Satoruhg
Thank you very much for answering my question! I'm actually thinking of reapplying while I will go to a Japanese university first. Even though I still don't know if I apply to Oxbridge, I'm worried that being smart isn't the first priority for them besides being passionate.
Of course "being smart" (in the sense of being academically gifted and promising) is a priority for Oxford. It's a university committed to scholarship in all of its forms. Your own assessment of your academic abilities and potential may or may not be shared by others.
I was rejected post interview last week. Scored 89 on the MAT, have 12 grade 9 GCSEs and predicted 4A*s at A Level. I have requested feedback info on advice from my school.
Original post by Satoruhg
They just said its out of their policy to give individual feedback. I'm little shocked since I heard they care much about tsa scores to shortlist candidate😭
If you are thinking about re-applying you need to take a gap year not go to another uni.
Your score was below the mean ...
Original post by Satoruhg
That what I'm not sure about actually. Does it really matter if I'm at another uni or taking a gap year?
You may want to review your personal statement and subject exploration/super-curricula activities.
Original post by Satoruhg
Thank you very much for answering my question! I'm actually thinking of reapplying while I will go to a Japanese university first. Even though I still don't know if I apply to Oxbridge, I'm worried that being smart isn't the first priority for them besides being passionate.
I say you get to say you're smart by Oxford standards if you at least meet the mean score. You didn't so why are you being passive aggressive about them possibly caring about passion more than grades (they certainly care a lot about passion however you still have to have at least certain grades before they care about how passionate you are).
(edited 1 month ago)
Original post by Satoruhg
Did u mean mean score for successful applicants? My score was 1 point down the mean score for a successful applicant's but way over mean score for overall applicants. I'm not complaining about my rejection, I'm just wondering why I wasn't even SHORTLISTED if that makes sense to u
Rejection is never down to one singular data point, thousands of extremely bright students are rejected every year. It all comes down to how one person felt skimming your application.
Original post by Foxehh
Rejection is never down to one singular data point, thousands of extremely bright students are rejected every year. It all comes down to how one person felt skimming your application.
Hey! I was also rejected from Merton for PPE pre interview, and I got a 74 on the TSA. I think that the unis weightings are accurate, it's just that it's a competitive uni and we have competition! Personally, I know my GCSEs are below what Oxford expect so that's my assumed reason for not getting an interview. For you, I heavily doubt that being applying to Merton matters, as the applicant ratio is moderated so it doesn't really matter what college you apply to. Id say it is a mix of more competition as you are international, and predicted grades 
Best of luck wherever you go!
Best of luck wherever you go!
There is not more competition for international vs home students. Oxford doesn’t have a quota for how many of each to accept - it is down to who are the strongest applicants. The overall competition is just very fierce and many excellent people don’t make it.
You can’t reapply if you are already an undergraduate elsewhere so if you are dead set on reapplying you need to take a gap year. Or move on, go to a Japanese university and consider applying to Oxford for a Masters later on. I think reapplying is usually not a great idea as unless you positively want a gap year, it makes the stakes very high and potentially sets you up for even greater disappointment (plus feeling like you are stuck on a gap year you never wanted).
You can’t reapply if you are already an undergraduate elsewhere so if you are dead set on reapplying you need to take a gap year. Or move on, go to a Japanese university and consider applying to Oxford for a Masters later on. I think reapplying is usually not a great idea as unless you positively want a gap year, it makes the stakes very high and potentially sets you up for even greater disappointment (plus feeling like you are stuck on a gap year you never wanted).
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