When is it worth re applying to Oxford?
I got rejected last month for Classics and AMES at Queens after 4 interviews at Queens and 2 additional interviews at Wadham. I’m a bit gutted tbh because I really wanted to be taught in the tutorial system. Anyway, I’m predicted 3 A*s and have 8888776655 at GCSE which i know is a bit mid, and I got my feedback from interviews and it seems my admissions test held me down, but ultimately they sort of told me that i was a promising applicant but they didn’t have space in the end. I think the joint course kind of shot myself in the foot there. They’ve removed the admissions test for next year, and I am considering re-applying for just Classics at Worcester instead, but I’m trying to decide whether it’s worth it/feasible.
What A-Level grades MINIMUM should I achieve in the summer to know whether re-applying is even an option. I know that the minimum for the course is AAA but people will be applying with predicted grades which tend to be higher. Will me having achieved grades lower than my 3 A*s hinder me significantly?
My other offers are for UCL, KCL, Edinburgh, and Manchester, so I know I’m not in a bad position but I just want to make sure I’ve really tried Oxford because I really want to go. Any advice is appreciated!
What A-Level grades MINIMUM should I achieve in the summer to know whether re-applying is even an option. I know that the minimum for the course is AAA but people will be applying with predicted grades which tend to be higher. Will me having achieved grades lower than my 3 A*s hinder me significantly?
My other offers are for UCL, KCL, Edinburgh, and Manchester, so I know I’m not in a bad position but I just want to make sure I’ve really tried Oxford because I really want to go. Any advice is appreciated!
Reply 1
Original post
by horseornotI got rejected last month for Classics and AMES at Queens after 4 interviews at Queens and 2 additional interviews at Wadham. I’m a bit gutted tbh because I really wanted to be taught in the tutorial system. Anyway, I’m predicted 3 A*s and have 8888776655 at GCSE which i know is a bit mid, and I got my feedback from interviews and it seems my admissions test held me down, but ultimately they sort of told me that i was a promising applicant but they didn’t have space in the end. I think the joint course kind of shot myself in the foot there. They’ve removed the admissions test for next year, and I am considering re-applying for just Classics at Worcester instead, but I’m trying to decide whether it’s worth it/feasible.
What A-Level grades MINIMUM should I achieve in the summer to know whether re-applying is even an option. I know that the minimum for the course is AAA but people will be applying with predicted grades which tend to be higher. Will me having achieved grades lower than my 3 A*s hinder me significantly?
My other offers are for UCL, KCL, Edinburgh, and Manchester, so I know I’m not in a bad position but I just want to make sure I’ve really tried Oxford because I really want to go. Any advice is appreciated!
What A-Level grades MINIMUM should I achieve in the summer to know whether re-applying is even an option. I know that the minimum for the course is AAA but people will be applying with predicted grades which tend to be higher. Will me having achieved grades lower than my 3 A*s hinder me significantly?
My other offers are for UCL, KCL, Edinburgh, and Manchester, so I know I’m not in a bad position but I just want to make sure I’ve really tried Oxford because I really want to go. Any advice is appreciated!
Hi @horseornot
I'm sorry you didn't manage to get in this time round, but if this is your dream there is no harm in reapplying! As long as you meet the grade requirements it's worth a shot.
First, Oxford does not open for UCAS clearing, nor does it take transfer students, so these two routes are no at option.
If you decide you want to reapply, I highly recommend spending this summer getting more experience to make yourself a stronger candidate and getting more practice/ preparation for the next admissions test.
One route is attending another university you have been accepted to, but reapply for Oxford when applications reopen. This gives you a safety net, because if you do not get an offer again you can just continue with your current course. If you do get an offer you would have a restart your course again from year one at Oxford. Additionally, it would be an extra year of tuition you would need to pay. However it is a great path if you want to continue progressing towards your goal.
Another option is taking a gap year and reapplying. This gives you time to resit your exams if needed, alongside getting an abundance of work experience. However, try not to get too stuck on just one university, there are lots of amazing universities to attend so consider your other application to the second time around. 😊
I hope this helps, please feel free to ask me any questions,
-Sophia (University of Lancashire)
Reply 2
There are quite a few inaccuracies in the advice above.
The most important one is the advice that you could start studying elsewhere and reapply to Oxford. You cannot do this: they won’t accept people who are already on course elsewhere even to restart the first year. So you need to decide whether to take a gap year and reapply or move on with one of your other offers.
Bear in mind that just because there isn’t an admissions test doesn’t mean they won’t assess your language aptitude at interview. If you think you under-performed in the test and could do a lot better, then maybe give it a try, but you will still need to prove to them that you have the capacity for language learning.
The main thing I’d say is to think about how you would feel if this time next year you are not offered a place and are also on a gap year you didn’t want, having spent the first few months of that time doing Oxford admissions. If you think a gap year would be enriching and you’d like to do one, then go for it - nothing lost. But if you are only doing a gap year to get into Oxford, it puts a lot of pressure on the reapplication.
The most important one is the advice that you could start studying elsewhere and reapply to Oxford. You cannot do this: they won’t accept people who are already on course elsewhere even to restart the first year. So you need to decide whether to take a gap year and reapply or move on with one of your other offers.
Bear in mind that just because there isn’t an admissions test doesn’t mean they won’t assess your language aptitude at interview. If you think you under-performed in the test and could do a lot better, then maybe give it a try, but you will still need to prove to them that you have the capacity for language learning.
The main thing I’d say is to think about how you would feel if this time next year you are not offered a place and are also on a gap year you didn’t want, having spent the first few months of that time doing Oxford admissions. If you think a gap year would be enriching and you’d like to do one, then go for it - nothing lost. But if you are only doing a gap year to get into Oxford, it puts a lot of pressure on the reapplication.
Original post
by horseornotI got rejected last month for Classics and AMES at Queens after 4 interviews at Queens and 2 additional interviews at Wadham. I’m a bit gutted tbh because I really wanted to be taught in the tutorial system. Anyway, I’m predicted 3 A*s and have 8888776655 at GCSE which i know is a bit mid, and I got my feedback from interviews and it seems my admissions test held me down, but ultimately they sort of told me that i was a promising applicant but they didn’t have space in the end. I think the joint course kind of shot myself in the foot there. They’ve removed the admissions test for next year, and I am considering re-applying for just Classics at Worcester instead, but I’m trying to decide whether it’s worth it/feasible.
What A-Level grades MINIMUM should I achieve in the summer to know whether re-applying is even an option. I know that the minimum for the course is AAA but people will be applying with predicted grades which tend to be higher. Will me having achieved grades lower than my 3 A*s hinder me significantly?
My other offers are for UCL, KCL, Edinburgh, and Manchester, so I know I’m not in a bad position but I just want to make sure I’ve really tried Oxford because I really want to go. Any advice is appreciated!
What A-Level grades MINIMUM should I achieve in the summer to know whether re-applying is even an option. I know that the minimum for the course is AAA but people will be applying with predicted grades which tend to be higher. Will me having achieved grades lower than my 3 A*s hinder me significantly?
My other offers are for UCL, KCL, Edinburgh, and Manchester, so I know I’m not in a bad position but I just want to make sure I’ve really tried Oxford because I really want to go. Any advice is appreciated!
What subject(s) under classics and AMES did you apply to? Do you want to "drop" the AMES subject?
Reply 4
I was also rejected from Oxford last year, and I finally got an offer last month after reapplying. I think the reason why some might suggest those who take a gap year and reapply have a greater chance of getting an offer is because of the time that they have to dedicate to preparing for the application process, especially the interviews, instead of having to spend time on both preparing for university applications and schoolwork, which would certainly take up a huge amount of time.
In terms of the grades, I got two A*s and an A in my A-levels, and I would say this should be the minimum of what you should aim for in the summer - after all, these grades got me into Oxford! I think getting actual grades that may be a grade lower than those who received three A* predictions would not put anyone at a disadvantage because predicted grades are often unreliable, and they know that those who are predicted with three A*s might not end up getting the exact same grades. Those who have received their grades already are different in this situation.
In terms of the grades, I got two A*s and an A in my A-levels, and I would say this should be the minimum of what you should aim for in the summer - after all, these grades got me into Oxford! I think getting actual grades that may be a grade lower than those who received three A* predictions would not put anyone at a disadvantage because predicted grades are often unreliable, and they know that those who are predicted with three A*s might not end up getting the exact same grades. Those who have received their grades already are different in this situation.
Reply 5
Original post
by Napoleon I I was also rejected from Oxford last year, and I finally got an offer last month after reapplying. I think the reason why some might suggest those who take a gap year and reapply have a greater chance of getting an offer is because of the time that they have to dedicate to preparing for the application process, especially the interviews, instead of having to spend time on both preparing for university applications and schoolwork, which would certainly take up a huge amount of time.
In terms of the grades, I got two A*s and an A in my A-levels, and I would say this should be the minimum of what you should aim for in the summer - after all, these grades got me into Oxford! I think getting actual grades that may be a grade lower than those who received three A* predictions would not put anyone at a disadvantage because predicted grades are often unreliable, and they know that those who are predicted with three A*s might not end up getting the exact same grades. Those who have received their grades already are different in this situation.
In terms of the grades, I got two A*s and an A in my A-levels, and I would say this should be the minimum of what you should aim for in the summer - after all, these grades got me into Oxford! I think getting actual grades that may be a grade lower than those who received three A* predictions would not put anyone at a disadvantage because predicted grades are often unreliable, and they know that those who are predicted with three A*s might not end up getting the exact same grades. Those who have received their grades already are different in this situation.
Which 3 A-Levels did you achieve A*A*A?
Reply 6
Original post
by thegeek888What were your GCSE grades like? 😧
Which 3 A-Levels did you achieve A*A*A?
Which 3 A-Levels did you achieve A*A*A?
9999999976 for GCSEs and history maths and physics for A-levels.
Reply 7
2
Original post
by artful_loungerWhat subject(s) under classics and AMES did you apply to? Do you want to "drop" the AMES subject?
I'm not quite sure what is meant by this, so please correct me if I'm misunderstood! I applied for classics and AMES (Arabic specifically) and most emphasis in my application was put on Latin and Arabic/ Persian/ Akkadian.
Reply 8
2
Original post
by Napoleon I I was also rejected from Oxford last year, and I finally got an offer last month after reapplying. I think the reason why some might suggest those who take a gap year and reapply have a greater chance of getting an offer is because of the time that they have to dedicate to preparing for the application process, especially the interviews, instead of having to spend time on both preparing for university applications and schoolwork, which would certainly take up a huge amount of time.
In terms of the grades, I got two A*s and an A in my A-levels, and I would say this should be the minimum of what you should aim for in the summer - after all, these grades got me into Oxford! I think getting actual grades that may be a grade lower than those who received three A* predictions would not put anyone at a disadvantage because predicted grades are often unreliable, and they know that those who are predicted with three A*s might not end up getting the exact same grades. Those who have received their grades already are different in this situation.
In terms of the grades, I got two A*s and an A in my A-levels, and I would say this should be the minimum of what you should aim for in the summer - after all, these grades got me into Oxford! I think getting actual grades that may be a grade lower than those who received three A* predictions would not put anyone at a disadvantage because predicted grades are often unreliable, and they know that those who are predicted with three A*s might not end up getting the exact same grades. Those who have received their grades already are different in this situation.
congrats on the acceptance that's so exciting! I was also thinking that A*AA or A*A*A should be okay.
Original post
by horseornotI'm not quite sure what is meant by this, so please correct me if I'm misunderstood! I applied for classics and AMES (Arabic specifically) and most emphasis in my application was put on Latin and Arabic/ Persian/ Akkadian.
I meant did you apply for e.g. AMES with Classics or Classics with AMES etc. The reason I asked is to understand what the AMES options you're interested in to consider whether you may actually be better placed to pursue your interests at one of those other unis
Note Arabic, Persian, and Akkadian are all separate non-overlapping options within AMES at Oxford. You would only be able to combine classics with one of the AMES options at Oxford (and offhand I'm pretty sure all only encompass a single language except the Aramaic and Syriac subsidiary language option). For the Classics side my understanding is if you haven't done A-levels in either language you'd only do both if you do Classics as your main language (i.e. Classics with AMES language).
In terms of Akkadian and ANE studies generally, UCL is very much worth considering as not only do they have Akkadian, they also have Sumerian and Hittite (as well as various ANE history/archaeology/culture modules). That said it's worth bearing in mind if you applied to the Classics course at UCL for the ANE studies track you wouldn't be required to study Greek or Latin (although I think it's possible to do so as an elective in it) and would principally focus on the ANE studies stuff. The Ancient Languages BA on the other hand does require Greek or Latin (you can also do both potentially), plus Biblical Hebrew and then you can pick ANE languages (e.g. Akkadian/Sumerian/etc) thereafter.
However Persian is not available at UCL - you may be able to take as an intercollegiate module at SOAS though (also possibly Avestan and/or Pahlavi - not sure if those run regularly at SOAS now though. At Oxford Avestan and Middle Iranian/Pahalvi are a separate subsidiary language option than Persian which is medieval and modern Persian I believe). Arabic is only available through CLIE at UCL also. So if Arabic or Persian are your primary interest then you might have more limited access to these (especially pre-modern Arabic, which you'd have to do through SOAS again). Equally you wouldn't realistically be able to do both Arabic and Persian alongside Classics (Greek and/or Latin) at UCL (or Oxford for that matter).
I'm not sure how much you can do in the ANE regime at KCL outside of intercollegiate options at UCL - I don't know if they have an Assyriologist/Sumerologist and their Hittologist (Katherine Shields) looks like she may be going to taking up a fellowship in Turkey next year...? Likewise I'm not familiar with Edinburgh or Manchester from the ANE side (although Manchester has some Egyptology offerings I'm aware of). I'm not so much in the Arabic/Persian side of things so don't know what they offer there at those unis. UCL however has two ANE studies people (that are language focused), Mark Geller and Mark Weeden, who between them teach all three languages regularly (Hittite and Akkadian at two levels, alternating years, and Sumerian only at one level most years). They also have a few ANE focused archaeologists (including ironically another Mark, Mark Altaweel) in the IoA and Yagmur Heffron in the history department who teaches ANE history (whose modules I've heard VERY good things about but are always oversubscribed for me as an out of department student
). Oxford of course have a lot of faculty in ANE My overall recommendation would be checking carefully what module options are available in the ANE/middle eastern languages at those unis to make sure they are available, and also check if the people teaching them are likely to remain there for your degree! Also check to see if the degree(s) will allow you to pursue all four of Classics/Arabic/Persian/ANE studies (it might be possible to construct a course with 3/4 of those via the BA Ancient Languages or BA Classics ANE track at UCL but I think would be difficult at the others). That way you can figure out the best fit for your interests and whether it's worth reapplying to Oxford or if they can be served at the other unis!
(edited 2 weeks ago)
Reply 10
Original post
by horseornotI got rejected last month for Classics and AMES at Queens after 4 interviews at Queens and 2 additional interviews at Wadham. I’m a bit gutted tbh because I really wanted to be taught in the tutorial system. Anyway, I’m predicted 3 A*s and have 8888776655 at GCSE which i know is a bit mid, and I got my feedback from interviews and it seems my admissions test held me down, but ultimately they sort of told me that i was a promising applicant but they didn’t have space in the end. I think the joint course kind of shot myself in the foot there. They’ve removed the admissions test for next year, and I am considering re-applying for just Classics at Worcester instead, but I’m trying to decide whether it’s worth it/feasible.
What A-Level grades MINIMUM should I achieve in the summer to know whether re-applying is even an option. I know that the minimum for the course is AAA but people will be applying with predicted grades which tend to be higher. Will me having achieved grades lower than my 3 A*s hinder me significantly?
My other offers are for UCL, KCL, Edinburgh, and Manchester, so I know I’m not in a bad position but I just want to make sure I’ve really tried Oxford because I really want to go. Any advice is appreciated!
What A-Level grades MINIMUM should I achieve in the summer to know whether re-applying is even an option. I know that the minimum for the course is AAA but people will be applying with predicted grades which tend to be higher. Will me having achieved grades lower than my 3 A*s hinder me significantly?
My other offers are for UCL, KCL, Edinburgh, and Manchester, so I know I’m not in a bad position but I just want to make sure I’ve really tried Oxford because I really want to go. Any advice is appreciated!
From what I’ve heard, applying already with your grades already makes you a slightly stronger candidate as they know you’ll be able to take the place and not risk missing the grades. Someone mentioned to me that because of my pretty mediocre GCSEs, Cambridge might’ve thought I wouldn’t make my 3A* prediction, so maybe something similar happened for you? I have yet to receive feedback tho so it’s all speculation.
Reapplying for humanities has a generally higher success rate as well (from what I’ve heard) because there’s no maths or science skills to lose practice with over a gap year, whereas language/analysis skills will only get stronger with a gap year dedicated to doing a research project or writing for journals. If you’re thinking of reapplying for just Classics, would you consider Cambridge instead? I’ve heard a lot more success stories about people being rejected from Oxford but getting into Cambridge a year later, but obviously if you prefer the Oxford course then stick with that!
Good luck if you do decide to reapply, and good luck with your A-Levels!
Reply 11
2
Original post
by jm413In a similar situation with wanting to reapply to Cambridge for English, and I’m probably only going to reapply if I get minimum A*A*A (but I thin Oxford has a slightly lower grade requirement)
From what I’ve heard, applying already with your grades already makes you a slightly stronger candidate as they know you’ll be able to take the place and not risk missing the grades. Someone mentioned to me that because of my pretty mediocre GCSEs, Cambridge might’ve thought I wouldn’t make my 3A* prediction, so maybe something similar happened for you? I have yet to receive feedback tho so it’s all speculation.
Reapplying for humanities has a generally higher success rate as well (from what I’ve heard) because there’s no maths or science skills to lose practice with over a gap year, whereas language/analysis skills will only get stronger with a gap year dedicated to doing a research project or writing for journals. If you’re thinking of reapplying for just Classics, would you consider Cambridge instead? I’ve heard a lot more success stories about people being rejected from Oxford but getting into Cambridge a year later, but obviously if you prefer the Oxford course then stick with that!
Good luck if you do decide to reapply, and good luck with your A-Levels!
From what I’ve heard, applying already with your grades already makes you a slightly stronger candidate as they know you’ll be able to take the place and not risk missing the grades. Someone mentioned to me that because of my pretty mediocre GCSEs, Cambridge might’ve thought I wouldn’t make my 3A* prediction, so maybe something similar happened for you? I have yet to receive feedback tho so it’s all speculation.
Reapplying for humanities has a generally higher success rate as well (from what I’ve heard) because there’s no maths or science skills to lose practice with over a gap year, whereas language/analysis skills will only get stronger with a gap year dedicated to doing a research project or writing for journals. If you’re thinking of reapplying for just Classics, would you consider Cambridge instead? I’ve heard a lot more success stories about people being rejected from Oxford but getting into Cambridge a year later, but obviously if you prefer the Oxford course then stick with that!
Good luck if you do decide to reapply, and good luck with your A-Levels!
thanks and good luck to you too
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