Applying to Oxbridge as a homeschooler (US)
Hi! This is a bit of a long one, sorry.
I’m considering applying to Oxbridge, preferably Oxford. I’d love to go into music, specifically organ (I’ve been playing for 7 years and recently played at Christchurch, which somewhat contributed to the thought that I could actually go there). I’ve been looking at the requirements for international students from the US, and it says that you need to take APs somewhat related to your course of study. But I can’t take APs, as I’ve been homeschooled since 5th grade (year 6).
I’ve only taken one, Music Theory, and I was only allowed to take the exam, not the class, through a school in my area. I’m not sure what I scored yet but it was all essentially self taught. I also took it a year earlier than usual (I’m a sophomore or year 11 (I think), most people would take it as upperclassmen). I’m not able to take any others really, it was quite a hassle for just the one.
Most of my schooling so far has been dual enrollment, which Oxbridge doesn’t take. Would I be able to count some of those as AP classes? I know the arts are a little bit less strict, but I’m really entirely unsure of how strict Oxford and Cambridge are with their requirements in the arts.
My second question is when do I apply??? Semesters are way different in the US so I really don’t know when a year before I start my course of study (which would hopefully be music) would be? I’m assuming in the fall of senior year.
Questions:
• How can I meet the requirements if I can’t take AP classes
• When would I apply (if I apply)
Thank you!
~ a very confused rising junior (rising year 12)
(I hope this makes sense, I wrote this at midnight)
I’m considering applying to Oxbridge, preferably Oxford. I’d love to go into music, specifically organ (I’ve been playing for 7 years and recently played at Christchurch, which somewhat contributed to the thought that I could actually go there). I’ve been looking at the requirements for international students from the US, and it says that you need to take APs somewhat related to your course of study. But I can’t take APs, as I’ve been homeschooled since 5th grade (year 6).
I’ve only taken one, Music Theory, and I was only allowed to take the exam, not the class, through a school in my area. I’m not sure what I scored yet but it was all essentially self taught. I also took it a year earlier than usual (I’m a sophomore or year 11 (I think), most people would take it as upperclassmen). I’m not able to take any others really, it was quite a hassle for just the one.
Most of my schooling so far has been dual enrollment, which Oxbridge doesn’t take. Would I be able to count some of those as AP classes? I know the arts are a little bit less strict, but I’m really entirely unsure of how strict Oxford and Cambridge are with their requirements in the arts.
My second question is when do I apply??? Semesters are way different in the US so I really don’t know when a year before I start my course of study (which would hopefully be music) would be? I’m assuming in the fall of senior year.
Questions:
• How can I meet the requirements if I can’t take AP classes
• When would I apply (if I apply)
Thank you!
~ a very confused rising junior (rising year 12)
(I hope this makes sense, I wrote this at midnight)
Original post by Anonymous
Hi! This is a bit of a long one, sorry.
I’m considering applying to Oxbridge, preferably Oxford. I’d love to go into music, specifically organ (I’ve been playing for 7 years and recently played at Christchurch, which somewhat contributed to the thought that I could actually go there). I’ve been looking at the requirements for international students from the US, and it says that you need to take APs somewhat related to your course of study. But I can’t take APs, as I’ve been homeschooled since 5th grade (year 6).
I’ve only taken one, Music Theory, and I was only allowed to take the exam, not the class, through a school in my area. I’m not sure what I scored yet but it was all essentially self taught. I also took it a year earlier than usual (I’m a sophomore or year 11 (I think), most people would take it as upperclassmen). I’m not able to take any others really, it was quite a hassle for just the one.
Most of my schooling so far has been dual enrollment, which Oxbridge doesn’t take. Would I be able to count some of those as AP classes? I know the arts are a little bit less strict, but I’m really entirely unsure of how strict Oxford and Cambridge are with their requirements in the arts.
My second question is when do I apply??? Semesters are way different in the US so I really don’t know when a year before I start my course of study (which would hopefully be music) would be? I’m assuming in the fall of senior year.
Questions:
• How can I meet the requirements if I can’t take AP classes
• When would I apply (if I apply)
Thank you!
~ a very confused rising junior (rising year 12)
(I hope this makes sense, I wrote this at midnight)
I’m considering applying to Oxbridge, preferably Oxford. I’d love to go into music, specifically organ (I’ve been playing for 7 years and recently played at Christchurch, which somewhat contributed to the thought that I could actually go there). I’ve been looking at the requirements for international students from the US, and it says that you need to take APs somewhat related to your course of study. But I can’t take APs, as I’ve been homeschooled since 5th grade (year 6).
I’ve only taken one, Music Theory, and I was only allowed to take the exam, not the class, through a school in my area. I’m not sure what I scored yet but it was all essentially self taught. I also took it a year earlier than usual (I’m a sophomore or year 11 (I think), most people would take it as upperclassmen). I’m not able to take any others really, it was quite a hassle for just the one.
Most of my schooling so far has been dual enrollment, which Oxbridge doesn’t take. Would I be able to count some of those as AP classes? I know the arts are a little bit less strict, but I’m really entirely unsure of how strict Oxford and Cambridge are with their requirements in the arts.
My second question is when do I apply??? Semesters are way different in the US so I really don’t know when a year before I start my course of study (which would hopefully be music) would be? I’m assuming in the fall of senior year.
Questions:
• How can I meet the requirements if I can’t take AP classes
• When would I apply (if I apply)
Thank you!
~ a very confused rising junior (rising year 12)
(I hope this makes sense, I wrote this at midnight)
So they don't care about whether you took the class or not in a school, they care about whether you took the exam and what grade you get in it. If you find an exam centre that permits you to take the exam and self study for it and get a 5 in the AP, that "counts" as far as they are concerned to my knowledge. The only exception I could imagine is for science APs where they may expect you to complete any lab portion of the typical qualification. Note taking an AP early does not gain any extra benefits and in fact they would most likely expect you to sit a "full academic load" of AP or equivalents over your junior and senior years anyway (to demonstrate you can cope with the academic courseload at Oxford/Cambridge).
You absolutely need to meet those academic requirements though. They expect students to do A-level, AP, IB, or similar level of exams. I believe for APs one of the two requires 3 APs with a grade of 5 and the other requires 4 or 5 APs at grade 5 I think. I believe for US applicants they also expect the SAT or ACT (this is in addition to the APs, or IB/A-levels/etc). They are not "less strict" for the arts - those are the standard academic requirements for all their degrees. This is also the case for essentially all academic universities in the UK.
The only places that might be more flexible on that front I can think of may be conservatoires which focus specifically on training professional musicians. I believe Organ scholars at Oxbridge are still expected to meet all the same academic requirements also (although that may be something you are specifically interested in exploring) - note also that an Organ scholar is not a scholarship in the sense of the US term as I understand (I believe there's a small bursary included as well as some additional benefits dependent on college e.g. rent reductions potentially, however it's not a "full ride" type scholarship to my knowledge).
I believe they may have some specific comments about homeschooled applicants on their admissions pages - these may be more oriented towards UK students but you can probably extrapolate some information as a US homeschooled student. And yes you would apply in the fall of your senior year through UCAS.
In summary - you need to take the AP exams and get 5s in them (specifically you are probably expected to get the number of results specified over the 2 year period of your junior and senior years i.e. equivalent to years 12 and 13 here), or equivalent (IB, A-levels, similar), and then you apply in your senior year. If you do not meet those requirements it's vanishingly unlikely you would be successful I believe.
(edited 4 weeks ago)
Also just tagging in @The_Lonely_Goatherd who may have some more insights into music at Oxford specifically if that's the degree programme you would be aiming to apply to 
Reply 3
Hiya,
Thanks for the tag! I'm afraid I know zilch about the American system, so can't answer the questions you've asked.
I did the music course 15 years ago, before it got revamped a few years ago - so some of my knowledge about what to expect might be outdated. What I would still say is that it's very much an academic, essay-writing course with a fairly hefty workload (I had at least three tutorials a week, every week. That was not including instrumental lessons!). So you would not be 'specialising' in the organ, and organ-related stuff would feature fairly little in your examined modules. (Of course, if you get an organ scholarship, then you would be playing lots outside of the examined course!) I believe it's still the case that performance-related modules can make up a maximum of 25% of your third year exams.
Something to bear in mind
Thanks for the tag! I'm afraid I know zilch about the American system, so can't answer the questions you've asked.
I did the music course 15 years ago, before it got revamped a few years ago - so some of my knowledge about what to expect might be outdated. What I would still say is that it's very much an academic, essay-writing course with a fairly hefty workload (I had at least three tutorials a week, every week. That was not including instrumental lessons!). So you would not be 'specialising' in the organ, and organ-related stuff would feature fairly little in your examined modules. (Of course, if you get an organ scholarship, then you would be playing lots outside of the examined course!) I believe it's still the case that performance-related modules can make up a maximum of 25% of your third year exams.
Something to bear in mind
Reply 4
ah, so it would probably be better to do graduate school there then, because where I am in the US it is near impossible to sit tests haha
Reply 5
Original post by Anonymous
Hi! This is a bit of a long one, sorry.
I’m considering applying to Oxbridge, preferably Oxford. I’d love to go into music, specifically organ (I’ve been playing for 7 years and recently played at Christchurch, which somewhat contributed to the thought that I could actually go there). I’ve been looking at the requirements for international students from the US, and it says that you need to take APs somewhat related to your course of study. But I can’t take APs, as I’ve been homeschooled since 5th grade (year 6).
I’ve only taken one, Music Theory, and I was only allowed to take the exam, not the class, through a school in my area. I’m not sure what I scored yet but it was all essentially self taught. I also took it a year earlier than usual (I’m a sophomore or year 11 (I think), most people would take it as upperclassmen). I’m not able to take any others really, it was quite a hassle for just the one.
Most of my schooling so far has been dual enrollment, which Oxbridge doesn’t take. Would I be able to count some of those as AP classes? I know the arts are a little bit less strict, but I’m really entirely unsure of how strict Oxford and Cambridge are with their requirements in the arts.
My second question is when do I apply??? Semesters are way different in the US so I really don’t know when a year before I start my course of study (which would hopefully be music) would be? I’m assuming in the fall of senior year.
Questions:
• How can I meet the requirements if I can’t take AP classes
• When would I apply (if I apply)
Thank you!
~ a very confused rising junior (rising year 12)
(I hope this makes sense, I wrote this at midnight)
I’m considering applying to Oxbridge, preferably Oxford. I’d love to go into music, specifically organ (I’ve been playing for 7 years and recently played at Christchurch, which somewhat contributed to the thought that I could actually go there). I’ve been looking at the requirements for international students from the US, and it says that you need to take APs somewhat related to your course of study. But I can’t take APs, as I’ve been homeschooled since 5th grade (year 6).
I’ve only taken one, Music Theory, and I was only allowed to take the exam, not the class, through a school in my area. I’m not sure what I scored yet but it was all essentially self taught. I also took it a year earlier than usual (I’m a sophomore or year 11 (I think), most people would take it as upperclassmen). I’m not able to take any others really, it was quite a hassle for just the one.
Most of my schooling so far has been dual enrollment, which Oxbridge doesn’t take. Would I be able to count some of those as AP classes? I know the arts are a little bit less strict, but I’m really entirely unsure of how strict Oxford and Cambridge are with their requirements in the arts.
My second question is when do I apply??? Semesters are way different in the US so I really don’t know when a year before I start my course of study (which would hopefully be music) would be? I’m assuming in the fall of senior year.
Questions:
• How can I meet the requirements if I can’t take AP classes
• When would I apply (if I apply)
Thank you!
~ a very confused rising junior (rising year 12)
(I hope this makes sense, I wrote this at midnight)
If you've managed to arrange to take AP Music Theory through a school in your area, could you arrange to sit for 2 (or 3, depending on whether you want to offer ACT/SAT in lieu) other APs at the same school (or perhaps another school in the area)? College Board says this is permitted https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/help-center/im-homeschooled-how-can-i-take-ap-exam and Oxford will not care whether you self-studied/ studied at a local school/ had a private tutor so long as you achieve the requisite AP grades.
It might be worth writing to Oxford and Cambridge admissions to ask whether there is any flexibility given your situation. That being said, I think their stance will likely be that you won't be allowed to substitute the AP requirements with other schooling in the interests of consistency and fairness to all candidates.
Reply 6
Original post by Anonymous
Hi! This is a bit of a long one, sorry.
I’m considering applying to Oxbridge, preferably Oxford. I’d love to go into music, specifically organ (I’ve been playing for 7 years and recently played at Christchurch, which somewhat contributed to the thought that I could actually go there). I’ve been looking at the requirements for international students from the US, and it says that you need to take APs somewhat related to your course of study. But I can’t take APs, as I’ve been homeschooled since 5th grade (year 6).
I’ve only taken one, Music Theory, and I was only allowed to take the exam, not the class, through a school in my area. I’m not sure what I scored yet but it was all essentially self taught. I also took it a year earlier than usual (I’m a sophomore or year 11 (I think), most people would take it as upperclassmen). I’m not able to take any others really, it was quite a hassle for just the one.
Most of my schooling so far has been dual enrollment, which Oxbridge doesn’t take. Would I be able to count some of those as AP classes? I know the arts are a little bit less strict, but I’m really entirely unsure of how strict Oxford and Cambridge are with their requirements in the arts.
My second question is when do I apply??? Semesters are way different in the US so I really don’t know when a year before I start my course of study (which would hopefully be music) would be? I’m assuming in the fall of senior year.
Questions:
• How can I meet the requirements if I can’t take AP classes
• When would I apply (if I apply)
Thank you!
~ a very confused rising junior (rising year 12)
(I hope this makes sense, I wrote this at midnight)
I’m considering applying to Oxbridge, preferably Oxford. I’d love to go into music, specifically organ (I’ve been playing for 7 years and recently played at Christchurch, which somewhat contributed to the thought that I could actually go there). I’ve been looking at the requirements for international students from the US, and it says that you need to take APs somewhat related to your course of study. But I can’t take APs, as I’ve been homeschooled since 5th grade (year 6).
I’ve only taken one, Music Theory, and I was only allowed to take the exam, not the class, through a school in my area. I’m not sure what I scored yet but it was all essentially self taught. I also took it a year earlier than usual (I’m a sophomore or year 11 (I think), most people would take it as upperclassmen). I’m not able to take any others really, it was quite a hassle for just the one.
Most of my schooling so far has been dual enrollment, which Oxbridge doesn’t take. Would I be able to count some of those as AP classes? I know the arts are a little bit less strict, but I’m really entirely unsure of how strict Oxford and Cambridge are with their requirements in the arts.
My second question is when do I apply??? Semesters are way different in the US so I really don’t know when a year before I start my course of study (which would hopefully be music) would be? I’m assuming in the fall of senior year.
Questions:
• How can I meet the requirements if I can’t take AP classes
• When would I apply (if I apply)
Thank you!
~ a very confused rising junior (rising year 12)
(I hope this makes sense, I wrote this at midnight)
Oxford are looking for excellent academic musicians. You need to apply in the autumn (October) interviews are around Dec and offers are given in January. I think you will seriously increase your chances of application if you have an AP. What music theory exam did you take. If it was grade 5 abrsm then loads of people get that, if it's grade 8 then that means a bit more.
Reply 7
OP, best of luck in finding a way to make a competitive application to Oxford or Cambridge. IIRC, candidates for organ scholarships are, as an exception to the usual rule, allowed to apply to both universities in the same admissions cycle. As noted above, an organ scholarship only comes with a modest financial award, and you would still have to fund university at international student rates.
As you may also know, you can be offered an organ scholarship at one college and an academic place at another college. Those colleges which have full-sized organs and which have a choral tradition are keen to maintain organ music, so it's a good time to be seeking an organ scholarship.
More generally, am I alone in thinking that parents who chose to educate their children at home may (unintentionally) do their children a disservice in many instances? I do not know the situation in the US, and assume that it varies from State to State, but in the UK home schooling is not adequately regulated or monitored, and it is not uncommon to see posts in this forum which indicate disadvantages faced by home schooled children. Not every home school produces John Stuart Mill, unfortunately.
I know that sometimes parents have good reasons for home-schooling a child, but I worry that sometimes parents make decisions which are more to do with their own beliefs than with the best interests of the child (I am not suggesting that such is the case in the OP's family).
As you may also know, you can be offered an organ scholarship at one college and an academic place at another college. Those colleges which have full-sized organs and which have a choral tradition are keen to maintain organ music, so it's a good time to be seeking an organ scholarship.
More generally, am I alone in thinking that parents who chose to educate their children at home may (unintentionally) do their children a disservice in many instances? I do not know the situation in the US, and assume that it varies from State to State, but in the UK home schooling is not adequately regulated or monitored, and it is not uncommon to see posts in this forum which indicate disadvantages faced by home schooled children. Not every home school produces John Stuart Mill, unfortunately.
I know that sometimes parents have good reasons for home-schooling a child, but I worry that sometimes parents make decisions which are more to do with their own beliefs than with the best interests of the child (I am not suggesting that such is the case in the OP's family).
Reply 8
Original post by Anonymous
Hi! This is a bit of a long one, sorry.
I’m considering applying to Oxbridge, preferably Oxford. I’d love to go into music, specifically organ (I’ve been playing for 7 years and recently played at Christchurch, which somewhat contributed to the thought that I could actually go there). I’ve been looking at the requirements for international students from the US, and it says that you need to take APs somewhat related to your course of study. But I can’t take APs, as I’ve been homeschooled since 5th grade (year 6).
I’ve only taken one, Music Theory, and I was only allowed to take the exam, not the class, through a school in my area. I’m not sure what I scored yet but it was all essentially self taught. I also took it a year earlier than usual (I’m a sophomore or year 11 (I think), most people would take it as upperclassmen). I’m not able to take any others really, it was quite a hassle for just the one.
Most of my schooling so far has been dual enrollment, which Oxbridge doesn’t take. Would I be able to count some of those as AP classes? I know the arts are a little bit less strict, but I’m really entirely unsure of how strict Oxford and Cambridge are with their requirements in the arts.
My second question is when do I apply??? Semesters are way different in the US so I really don’t know when a year before I start my course of study (which would hopefully be music) would be? I’m assuming in the fall of senior year.
Questions:
• How can I meet the requirements if I can’t take AP classes
• When would I apply (if I apply)
Thank you!
~ a very confused rising junior (rising year 12)
(I hope this makes sense, I wrote this at midnight)
I’m considering applying to Oxbridge, preferably Oxford. I’d love to go into music, specifically organ (I’ve been playing for 7 years and recently played at Christchurch, which somewhat contributed to the thought that I could actually go there). I’ve been looking at the requirements for international students from the US, and it says that you need to take APs somewhat related to your course of study. But I can’t take APs, as I’ve been homeschooled since 5th grade (year 6).
I’ve only taken one, Music Theory, and I was only allowed to take the exam, not the class, through a school in my area. I’m not sure what I scored yet but it was all essentially self taught. I also took it a year earlier than usual (I’m a sophomore or year 11 (I think), most people would take it as upperclassmen). I’m not able to take any others really, it was quite a hassle for just the one.
Most of my schooling so far has been dual enrollment, which Oxbridge doesn’t take. Would I be able to count some of those as AP classes? I know the arts are a little bit less strict, but I’m really entirely unsure of how strict Oxford and Cambridge are with their requirements in the arts.
My second question is when do I apply??? Semesters are way different in the US so I really don’t know when a year before I start my course of study (which would hopefully be music) would be? I’m assuming in the fall of senior year.
Questions:
• How can I meet the requirements if I can’t take AP classes
• When would I apply (if I apply)
Thank you!
~ a very confused rising junior (rising year 12)
(I hope this makes sense, I wrote this at midnight)
Replying as a fellow American going into my senior year (Y13 for the Brits reading this):
As far as I can tell from both the Oxford and Cambridge websites, my discussions with admissions tutors, and the Oxford open day- you MUST take the AP exams, no exceptions. Since homeschooled students are able to take exams even without having taken the class, there’s not really any wiggle room there. Also note that you’ll have to take the SAT and get above a certain score (1460 for the arts at both schools), as well as submit every score you got (so don’t take it early without studying just to “see how you do”).
To your second question: I don’t know anything about the organ scholarship, so can’t speak to that, but in general you apply to Oxbridge via UCAS in October of your senior year.
Hope this was helpful!
Reply 9
Original post by Stiffy Byng
OP, best of luck in finding a way to make a competitive application to Oxford or Cambridge. IIRC, candidates for organ scholarships are, as an exception to the usual rule, allowed to apply to both universities in the same admissions cycle. As noted above, an organ scholarship only comes with a modest financial award, and you would still have to fund university at international student rates.
As you may also know, you can be offered an organ scholarship at one college and an academic place at another college. Those colleges which have full-sized organs and which have a choral tradition are keen to maintain organ music, so it's a good time to be seeking an organ scholarship.
More generally, am I alone in thinking that parents who chose to educate their children at home may (unintentionally) do their children a disservice in many instances? I do not know the situation in the US, and assume that it varies from State to State, but in the UK home schooling is not adequately regulated or monitored, and it is not uncommon to see posts in this forum which indicate disadvantages faced by home schooled children. Not every home school produces John Stuart Mill, unfortunately.
I know that sometimes parents have good reasons for home-schooling a child, but I worry that sometimes parents make decisions which are more to do with their own beliefs than with the best interests of the child (I am not suggesting that such is the case in the OP's family).
As you may also know, you can be offered an organ scholarship at one college and an academic place at another college. Those colleges which have full-sized organs and which have a choral tradition are keen to maintain organ music, so it's a good time to be seeking an organ scholarship.
More generally, am I alone in thinking that parents who chose to educate their children at home may (unintentionally) do their children a disservice in many instances? I do not know the situation in the US, and assume that it varies from State to State, but in the UK home schooling is not adequately regulated or monitored, and it is not uncommon to see posts in this forum which indicate disadvantages faced by home schooled children. Not every home school produces John Stuart Mill, unfortunately.
I know that sometimes parents have good reasons for home-schooling a child, but I worry that sometimes parents make decisions which are more to do with their own beliefs than with the best interests of the child (I am not suggesting that such is the case in the OP's family).
Some children who are homeschooled may be disadvantaged compared to some who are not, but it's probably fair to say that some children who are at school are disadvantaged compared to those who are homeschooled.
At our local school, the 3 top scholarships in sixth form were given to pupils who had never been to school and all 3 have got offers from Oxbridge. School can teach you to be a passive learner. Homeschool encourages much more active learning, to work independently, to take the initiative and of course there's often more free time to develop hobbies and interests.
I'm wondering if you know any homeschool students, and if so, how many. I know a huge number and would say they are socially mature and pretty incredible!
Reply 10
Original post by Lizziedripping77
Oxford are looking for excellent academic musicians. You need to apply in the autumn (October) interviews are around Dec and offers are given in January. I think you will seriously increase your chances of application if you have an AP. What music theory exam did you take. If it was grade 5 abrsm then loads of people get that, if it's grade 8 then that means a bit more.
I took the AP Music Theory exam and ended up getting a 5, I think that’s about the same as abrsm 6 or 7 (?) but I think even if I take another AP and get a 5, and on the very off chance I get in to Oxford, I wouldn’t be able to afford it anyways
thanks for your help though!Quick Reply
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