who are the thickest people you know who got into oxbridge? (GCSE/AS GRADES)

Some people take another year to do extra....

some do some a year earlier (ie. during GCSEs)....others (eg. those abroad) live where there is an incredibly high work ethic...so do loads!!!

Not me tho!!

I'm really lazy!

G

um... not too sure if i agree with the whole idea of grades = intelligence in the title of this thread, but, if thats the way its going, i think i am the 'thickest' person i know, i got an offer from oxfit and i only got AABC at AS (although i did do okay in my gcses), oh, and one of my A's at AS was in art (!)

i certainly did not pick an 'easy' subject to get into, mine was pretty tough ( and one half of it i have never studied before at all), and i felt a little out of my depth when chatting to the other applicants, but at the end of the day i just went and was myself. i had three interviews and had a great time, but i was convinced i wouldnt get in because of the things i said at interview (as i was determined to be myself i ended up, among other things, offering to do star-jumps, going on an anti-bush rant, calling tory MPs rude and childish, telling a story about a visit to see dead plants and giving my interviewers anecdotes about Tony Benn).

when i got my offer, i could tell a few folks were a bit surprised, but it just goes to show that grades don't mean everything. I guess that as i felt it was all very unlikely i wouldnt have come across as arrogant, and it seems to be the case that if the tutors want to teach you they will accept you - so arrogance is certainly a bit of a put-off.

(oh, just remembered that i left my handbag in one of my interviews as well - hehe...)

what did you apply to do?

I'd like to join the ranks of the "thick" people who have offers. I have 5 GCSEs, at grades A*ABCC. I did them in about five months, because I was ill... oh dear, aren't I dumb?

I haven't read every single post over carefully (so sorry if I'm repetitive), but I didn't see anyone mention how lack of opportunity influences grades, so now I am: Not everyone has the chance to gain 12 A*s, or 5 grade A A-levels. I, for instance, didn't have that luxury because of my health. Oh dear, now I'm thick and unworthy of my place!
What about talented students at failing schools? What about the students whose parents can't afford a computer, or copious textbooks? There are many other reasons why students may not gain perfect grades. Doesn't mean they're unworthy of places, or are thick.

Sorry for the sarcasm, I'm just tired of being told and reading things which knock down my achievement. I'm proud of myself for earning my place, and I hate people trying to take that away from me, intentionally or not.

Congrats on your place! You should be proud. What are you going to read?

I'd like to join the ranks of the "thick" people who have offers. I have 5 GCSEs, at grades A*ABCC. I did them in about five months, because I was ill... oh dear, aren't I dumb?

I haven't read every single post over carefully (so sorry if I'm repetitive), but I didn't see anyone mention how lack of opportunity influences grades, so now I am: Not everyone has the chance to gain 12 A*s, or 5 grade A A-levels. I, for instance, didn't have that luxury because of my health. Oh dear, now I'm thick and unworthy of my place!
What about talented students at failing schools? What about the students whose parents can't afford a computer, or copious textbooks? There are many other reasons why students may not gain perfect grades. Doesn't mean they're unworthy of places, or are thick.

Sorry for the sarcasm, I'm just tired of being told and reading things which knock down my achievement. I'm proud of myself for earning my place, and I hate people trying to take that away from me, intentionally or not.

Well done on your place! I totally agree with what you're saying, they're not looking for someone who's been tutored solely to pass an exam, but rather someone who has the capability to think beyond the scope of the exam syllabus, someone who shows true potential. Which col did you get a place at? I got a NatSci place at Jesus, have to get AAA first though.... (!)

um... not too sure if i agree with the whole idea of grades = intelligence in the title of this thread, but, if thats the way its going, i think i am the 'thickest' person i know, i got an offer from oxfit and i only got AABC at AS (although i did do okay in my gcses), oh, and one of my A's at AS was in art (!)

i certainly did not pick an 'easy' subject to get into, mine was pretty tough ( and one half of it i have never studied before at all), and i felt a little out of my depth when chatting to the other applicants, but at the end of the day i just went and was myself. i had three interviews and had a great time, but i was convinced i wouldnt get in because of the things i said at interview (as i was determined to be myself i ended up, among other things, offering to do star-jumps, going on an anti-bush rant, calling tory MPs rude and childish, telling a story about a visit to see dead plants and giving my interviewers anecdotes about Tony Benn).

when i got my offer, i could tell a few folks were a bit surprised, but it just goes to show that grades don't mean everything. I guess that as i felt it was all very unlikely i wouldnt have come across as arrogant, and it seems to be the case that if the tutors want to teach you they will accept you - so arrogance is certainly a bit of a put-off.

(oh, just remembered that i left my handbag in one of my interviews as well - hehe...)

I got a place at Somerville, Oxford.. my offer is AAA too, which is scary considering that there's no room for failure at all! I wish us both luck, lol.. (if I can wish myself luck)

For what subject?

English! I read in another thread that you've got an offer from Somerville too, right? We'll both get to stay in the gorgeous building that is Vaughan! I kind of developed a fond attachment to it in my time there.. despite the fact that it's quite out of place with the other buildings!

I find it pretty annoying that so many people are willing to dimiss others with less than 10A*s etc as thick. My little sister has probably every learning disbailty on the planet and wont be put in for GCSEs-however one wouldn't know this if you spoke to her, she is incredibly intelligent but just cant translate her thoughts onto paper. You need to look at the broader aspect of this-at many schools what proportion of people get grades which quantify them being "intelligent"? Very little. Many people with potential can't afford to go to private schools or don't have the support behind them to do well in their exams.

I was pretty pleased with my GCSE results, I got 3A*s and 7As and to be honest I'm not the cleverest person in the world but I don't consider myself thick. I'm going to have a go at applying for law at Oxford next year but if I don't get in then I'll move on.

People need to see that there is much more to life than a few sodding grades on a pice of paper.

Chloe xxx

Woah, some sense... rare here!

*hugs* for Chloe

Thanx hun it's true though, some people on these boards see Oxbridge as the be all and and all and frankly I find it quite worrying lol!

Chloe xxx

Yea, same here. Apparently its getting knocked down just after we leave. What did you make of the rest of Somerville? I really liked it there, it was very relaxed and friendly etc.