Oxford Chemistry Students and Applicants

I was in the same position as you a few years ago and I'm now studying chemistry at Oxford, so it's definitely doable! I don't think you'd be at any disadvantage by applying during a gap year, as the tutors are really looking for your ability to take on new information and apply it to problems. If anything, the extra maturity you'll have from already having finished your A levels might give you a slight edge.

What advice are you looking for in terms of college choice? If you already have an idea of what sort of things you might be interested in doing for the Part II year (that would be quite forward thinking!), you could do worse than to apply to a college with a tutor who's researching that topic. Otherwise, the usual considerations of size, location, accommodation, etc. should guide you.

The maths you need at interview isn't particularly difficult and the maths for chemists paper is taught from scratch once you get here, so I don't think there's any particular need to worry about your maths going rusty. Certainly I didn't find it to be a problem.

I think you might struggle to find experience in a university research group, as you probably lack the lab skills and theoretical knowledge that they'd be looking for. I ended up working in a school lab, which wasn't particularly exciting but it did mean I got to try a few interesting experiments now and then, and also just kept me thinking about chemistry. But really, it doesn't matter what you do with your gap year.

I hope your exams go well in the summer. If you have any questions or want me to elaborate on anything, I'll try my best to help!

Yes to both of those questions. I'm not aware of any negative reputations for chemistry at particular colleges. The only negative point I can share is that Christ Church chemists have tutorials on a Saturday, which I would imagine can be something of a nuisance!

As I can't PM you...I was wondering whether youapplied to Imperial

No, I didn't. I probably would have done if I hadn't got in to Oxford, though.

Where did you apply along with Oxford?

Out of interest, how 'mathsy' is the oxford chemistry course?

I'm not very current - but that would be quite a big change as they definitely used to have regular 1st & 2nd year labs too. My significant other used to smell of pear drops often & there was a prize for them!

Is it that there's a specific practical course in the 3rd year to prepare for the 4th year project..?

I was surprised when I read on the Chem department's website that the practicals are only in 3rd year. I really love the practical side of Chemistry so I'm very confused! Please could someone clear this up for me?

Yeah, i was reading up on it and only found that practicals were only mentioned with the 3rd year info (http://admissions.chem.ox.ac.uk/course.aspx)

I was just a bit confused, and I'm pretty sure you're right. Just need to check it before I make any definite plans. Thank you!

It looks to me like that "practical course" bit should be read as a separate subsection and not part of the third year description.

Just to reiterate what the others have said, you spend a couple of days a week in the labs in first year, and an average of one day a week in labs for second and third year. Sometimes a "day" might only take a couple of hours, other times it could be as much as six hours.

My first year chemist friends spend an awful lot of time in labs, so don't worry, you'll do plenty of practicals

Anyone know when supp results come out? (specifically quantum)

Anyone know when supp results come out? (specifically quantum)

Mine were 6th April 2011 (pharmacology). It's too early in the morning to work out when that was in relation to term/Easter, but you can find that out online :3