Oxford - should I bother?

2

Hi!! I've been thinking about applying for next year (year 12 atm), but I think my GCSE grades are too low to even bother. My predicted for A-Level are A* A* A* - subjects are History, English Lit, and Politics.

GCSE grades: 999 (English lit and lang, History) D* (Drama), 7 (RE), 6 (French), 6 (Maths), 6-5 (Combined Science)

Other than English, History and Drama, the grades aren't Oxford worthy - I know it's super competitive. I also have a qualification for Musical Theatre which is equivalent to two A* at A-Level as I took a year in Drama School before doing my A-Levels. BUT there is literally no relevance for those Musical Theatre grades at all when applying to Oxford!!

The course I was looking at was History & English. Should I even bother? I don't want to waste a UCAS space if I don't stand a single chance. Thanks!!

Reply 1

a_bz2009

7

Original post

by stefpoopy

Hi!! I've been thinking about applying for next year (year 12 atm), but I think my GCSE grades are too low to even bother. My predicted for A-Level are A* A* A* - subjects are History, English Lit, and Politics.
GCSE grades: 999 (English lit and lang, History) D* (Drama), 7 (RE), 6 (French), 6 (Maths), 6-5 (Combined Science)
Other than English, History and Drama, the grades aren't Oxford worthy - I know it's super competitive. I also have a qualification for Musical Theatre which is equivalent to two A* at A-Level as I took a year in Drama School before doing my A-Levels. BUT there is literally no relevance for those Musical Theatre grades at all when applying to Oxford!!
The course I was looking at was History & English. Should I even bother? I don't want to waste a UCAS space if I don't stand a single chance. Thanks!!

What type of school did you go to? Elite, decent or bad (or awful)?

Reply 2

stefpoopy

OP

2

Original post

by a_bz2009

What type of school did you go to? Elite, decent or bad (or awful)?

My secondary was a shocking school with everyone getting pretty bad grades and my current Sixth form also underachieves and has not so great grades. I come from a pretty low income background in an awful city as well lol

Reply 3

a_bz2009

7

Original post

by stefpoopy

My secondary was a shocking school with everyone getting pretty bad grades and my current Sixth form also underachieves and has not so great grades. I come from a pretty low income background in an awful city as well lol

Yeah that makes your situation much less awful. Ik someone who did Law at Oxford and only got 1 grade 9. Your A levels are great, just try and do as many supercurriculars as possible and tbh it doesn’t sound too awful.

You get people who get offers from Oxford with a few 5s and 6s it’s not entirely completely unheard of.

Best to get in touch w someone there

I know a (former) admissions officer at Oxford. I can ask her and show her your situation and see what she thinks if that’s cool w you and you’re fine with me asking her?

Reply 4

stefpoopy

OP

2

Original post

by a_bz2009

Yeah that makes your situation much less awful. Ik someone who did Law at Oxford and only got 1 grade 9. Your A levels are great, just try and do as many supercurriculars as possible and tbh it doesn’t sound too awful.
You get people who get offers from Oxford with a few 5s and 6s it’s not entirely completely unheard of.
Best to get in touch w someone there
I know a (former) admissions officer at Oxford. I can ask her and show her your situation and see what she thinks if that’s cool w you and you’re fine with me asking her?

Omg yes!! Absolutely, please could you ask her? It would be great to have a former admissions officer put their input through. That would help so much lol. If it helps I'm also Asian-mixed just to give you a better profile because I know some schools do care about diversity hahaha

Reply 5

KWad

11

1.

Your GCSEs aren't stellar per se, but I believe Oxford only looks at them in the context with which they were achieved. If your secondary school was below average, then your GCSEs probably won't hold you back too much. Also, you achieved top grades in the subjects most relevant to your degree so that is definitely a plus.

2.

Your A-Level pred. are v. good

I think you should apply - you have a good chance if all the other parts of your application are up to scratch

Reply 6

stefpoopy

OP

2

Original post

by KWad

1.

Your GCSEs aren't stellar per se, but I believe Oxford only looks at them in the context with which they were achieved. If your secondary school was below average, then your GCSEs probably won't hold you back too much. Also, you achieved top grades in the subjects most relevant to your degree so that is definitely a plus.

2.

Your A-Level pred. are v. good

I think you should apply - you have a good chance if all the other parts of your application are up to scratch

Yeah I was thinking about the context but so many people also come from low achieving schools and get wayyyy better grades than me. I hardly do any super curricular either so that isn’t great either. I’m just worried I’ll waste my time but thanks for your reply!!

Reply 7

KWad

11

Original post

by stefpoopy

Yeah I was thinking about the context but so many people also come from low achieving schools and get wayyyy better grades than me. I hardly do any super curricular either so that isn’t great either. I’m just worried I’ll waste my time but thanks for your reply!!

1.

As I said, don't worry too much about your GCSES.

2.

Then you need to work on your supercurriculars. I'm no expert on your choice of course specifically, but I would imagine that your personal statement is quite important for an essay-heavy like English and history. You are only a few months into y12 so it's not too late to start working on your supercurriculars now. I can provide some suggestions if you are interested, but in all likelihood you already know what kinds of things you should be doing. Get started now! You have less and less time for supercurriculars as you progress through y12 so seize the moment and begin ASAP. Future you will appreciate it when the time comes to write your personal statement.

Reply 8

Anonymous #1

Yes apply. My kids have both applied both had taken less GCSE's than typical schooled kids. Both had exceptional predicted A level results. People loved to tell them that their GCSE's would be an issue but both got interviews. One got an offer but both really enjoyed their experience. Look at the contextual data that applies to you, it's different for every uni. Go to the open days. Good luck

Reply 9

Picnicl

17

You probably stand a better chance getting in Cambridge as Cambridge tend to care slightly more about how high your A Level grades are (although, for these 2 subjects, both Oxford and Cambridge are equally demanding in terms of average A Levels actually achieved by entrants) and it's said Cambridge care less than Oxford about how low your GCSE results are but wait for a_bz2009's reply by all means.

(edited 11 months ago)

Reply 10

based_J

15

Original post

by stefpoopy

Hi!! I've been thinking about applying for next year (year 12 atm), but I think my GCSE grades are too low to even bother. My predicted for A-Level are A* A* A* - subjects are History, English Lit, and Politics.
GCSE grades: 999 (English lit and lang, History) D* (Drama), 7 (RE), 6 (French), 6 (Maths), 6-5 (Combined Science)
Other than English, History and Drama, the grades aren't Oxford worthy - I know it's super competitive. I also have a qualification for Musical Theatre which is equivalent to two A* at A-Level as I took a year in Drama School before doing my A-Levels. BUT there is literally no relevance for those Musical Theatre grades at all when applying to Oxford!!
The course I was looking at was History & English. Should I even bother? I don't want to waste a UCAS space if I don't stand a single chance. Thanks!!

Hi, I advise you message stiffy byng on TSR - she's the go-to person for anything Oxford-related https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/member.php?u=6738339

Reply 11

Logic1

13

Original post

by stefpoopy

Hi!! I've been thinking about applying for next year (year 12 atm), but I think my GCSE grades are too low to even bother. My predicted for A-Level are A* A* A* - subjects are History, English Lit, and Politics.
GCSE grades: 999 (English lit and lang, History) D* (Drama), 7 (RE), 6 (French), 6 (Maths), 6-5 (Combined Science)
Other than English, History and Drama, the grades aren't Oxford worthy - I know it's super competitive. I also have a qualification for Musical Theatre which is equivalent to two A* at A-Level as I took a year in Drama School before doing my A-Levels. BUT there is literally no relevance for those Musical Theatre grades at all when applying to Oxford!!
The course I was looking at was History & English. Should I even bother? I don't want to waste a UCAS space if I don't stand a single chance. Thanks!!