Oxford PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics) Students and Applicants

On the other hand, I was neither suave nor confident. I cried in my actual economics interview, then got such a bad cold that my interviewer made me tea and gave me cough sweets. Apparently pity works just as well, otherwise we'd all be typical self-important PPE ***** :biggrin:

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Reply 3483

Mrs Carrothead

Apparently pity works just as well, otherwise we'd all be typical self-important PPE ***** :biggrin:

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You mean you're not :eyeball:

Reply 3484

Excalibur

15

NCIShippo

The college I'd like to apply to has the TSA for Phy NatSci but not for Bio NatSci, so surely I'd need to choose soonish (before Oct). Is there an advantage surrounding this?

Also, you have to put on the form whether you are going to be classed as either a physical of biological NatSci - can you change later on?

Well, it depends on how comfortable you are with the idea of aptitude tests - I knew that I was rubbish at them, and that they were almost guaranteed to bring my application down rather than up, so I tried to find a college that didn't have it. On the other hand, most people have coped fine with it at colleges that do set them.

At my college (Downing) it seems it's fairly easy for a phys natsci to take bio options and the most common combination then would be Physics/Chem/Cells. For a bio natsci to take physical subjects you'd have to be more determined (the DoS will probably try and persuade you out of it!) but if you want to do it, then they will let you (one bionatsci is doing materials). Our college segregates the bionatscis and physnatscis more than some of the others (e.g. some colleges just bundle all the natscis together and let them choose whatever they want, regardless of what they applied as) - but even then, if you want to switch your inclination I doubt they'd stop you!

Reply 3485

Andy the Anarchist

You mean you're not :eyeball:

Ha ha, I just mean it gets kind of intimidating when you're in a room full of those kind of PPEists (you know the ones I mean) who always pretend they know what's going on and that they know everything and that everyone else is beneath them. I don't think I'm one of those. I'm quite aware that doing Politics and Philosophy finals are on the easier side of laughable :smile:

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Reply 3486

Mrs Carrothead

Ha ha, I just mean it gets kind of intimidating when you're in a room full of those kind of PPEists (you know the ones I mean) who always pretend they know what's going on and that they know everything and that everyone else is beneath them. I don't think I'm one of those. I'm quite aware that doing Politics and Philosophy finals are on the easier side of laughable :smile:

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Considering I've met many prospective PPEists at debating competitions, I very much understand what you mean.

Out of interest, are there any figures for PPE as to what is the most common combination after first year?

Reply 3487

I'm not sure, but it seems that quite a lot of people drop economics. The least common is (I'd say) Philosophy and Economics, and the other two might be quite evenly spread.

And by my previous post I didn't mean any offence, simply that I don't think PPE warrants elevation over all other degrees because it really isn't that hard. I just meant some people act like because you study PPE you're destined to rule the world...

Reply 3488

Mrs Carrothead

I'm not sure, but it seems that quite a lot of people drop economics. The least common is (I'd say) Philosophy and Economics, and the other two might be quite evenly spread.

And by my previous post I didn't mean any offence, simply that I don't think PPE warrants elevation over all other degrees because it really isn't that hard. I just meant some people act like because you study PPE you're destined to rule the world...

Lol, I don't worry, I don't consider a bipartite Philosophy and Politics degree to be superior to a History and Politics degree, and the former is what I'd have done if I'd had done PPE (dropping Economics after 1st year).

Reply 3489

I think History and Politics is far superior! In terms of actual helpfulness and fun :p:

. I hate ethics with a passion, and if instead I could do either modern world history to help with my International Relations, or the emergence of democracy or something like that I think I'd be MUCH happier. Ah well, I'm hating Plato a little less this term, yey!

Reply 3490

Mrs Carrothead

I think History and Politics is far superior! In terms of actual helpfulness and fun :p:

. I hate ethics with a passion, and if instead I could do either modern world history to help with my International Relations, or the emergence of democracy or something like that I think I'd be MUCH happier. Ah well, I'm hating Plato a little less this term, yey!

I actually like ethics and political philosophy, though Plato was never my cup of tea.

Reply 3491

Leviathon

I'm sure I haven't read Plato anywhere near as deeply for my A level than you two have but I really like Plato. We're doing a synoptic paper this year comparing him with Mill and the relation between the individual state and I've found it amazing how many similarities can be drawn. They offer opposing views on freedom but I find it very easy to see Plato as just a more honest Mill.

Reply 3492

Andy the Anarchist

I actually like ethics and political philosophy, though Plato was never my cup of tea.

I love Political Philosophy, but ethics is driving me round the bend, though of course that could have something to do with my tutor who wants me to write an essay in roughly the form:

In this essay I'm going to say this.
Write paragraphs in chronological order with no cross-referencing or relating.
This is what I said in my essay.

Yes, in the first person. Grrr. I refuse to return to writing at pre-GCSE standard.

Plato, on the other hand, I don't much mind because the paper is a history paper, so it's quite a lot like Eng Lit, which I always liked. Personally I'm looking forward to doing the British Politics and Government Since 1900 paper. Sounds like it could be fun.

Reply 3493

Kyle_S-C

12

NCIShippo

Hi

I'm taking AS-Level atm - Chem, Physics, Biology, Maths - C1, C2, S1, and am doing the AS Further Maths (over 2 years due to timetable issues) units M1, FP1, and D1, and have already gor an A grade in AS Level Engineering.

So hopefully I'll have maths, chem, phy, bio to A2 level, and AS further maths and engineering to As level.

I want to do NatSci (atm Chemistry, Biology of Cells, Physics, and maybe the Maths A unit).

1). With these units in mind should I be classed as a biological or physical NatSci in your opinion?

2). Because I will only have 1 mechanics unit - do you think I will be able to keep up with the physics course?

3). And is Maths A full of people that have taken the complete A2 further maths course, or are they mostly people that have just got the normal maths A2 level?
my school do C1-4, S1 and S2).

Thanks in advance

I'd probably apply as a phys natsci since those options are mainly physical and from your subjects you'd be best able to handle a physical sciences style interview. As for maths A, I think it's probably largely people who've just done maths A2. Maths B is faster and has a few extra topics, but you have the advantage of more choice in the first year exam (which was a lifesaver for me).

Reply 3494

Mrs Carrothead

I love Political Philosophy, but ethics is driving me round the bend, though of course that could have something to do with my tutor who wants me to write an essay in roughly the form:

In this essay I'm going to say this.
Write paragraphs in chronological order with no cross-referencing or relating.
This is what I said in my essay.

Yes, in the first person. Grrr. I refuse to return to writing at pre-GCSE standard.

Plato, on the other hand, I don't much mind because the paper is a history paper, so it's quite a lot like Eng Lit, which I always liked. Personally I'm looking forward to doing the British Politics and Government Since 1900 paper. Sounds like it could be fun.

That sounds beyond moronic, is that tutor at Oriel or someone else?

Reply 3495

rosemary1991

NCIShippo

The college I'd like to apply to has the TSA for Phy NatSci but not for Bio NatSci, so surely I'd need to choose soonish (before Oct). Is there an advantage surrounding this?

Also, you have to put on the form whether you are going to be classed as either a physical of biological NatSci - can you change later on?

I had a similar problem. I emailed the admissions tutors at about 10 colleges that i was most intereted in. They were all very helpful but i found that different colleges gave me different answers as to whether to apply for bio or phy. :confused:

It only effects your interviews you can choose any options once you have an offer.

Good luck with your application

Reply 3496

Flozza_X

rosemary1991

I had a similar problem. I emailed the admissions tutors at about 10 colleges that i was most intereted in. They were all very helpful but i found that different colleges gave me different answers as to whether to apply for bio or phy. :confused:

It only effects your interviews you can choose any options once you have an offer.

Good luck with your application

Hey ...where were you reinterviewed at? I was pooled from Christ's for Bio too and reinterviewed at Magdalene, then rejected too. How depressing.

Reply 3497

Andy the Anarchist

That sounds beyond moronic, is that tutor at Oriel or someone else?

I always shy away from giving too much information, just in case they check these things, being grad students and all, but I think I'm right in saying that they were from another college. The worst thing is they're soooo nice, but I blankly refuse to take advice like that. Which ended up in me being given a First/2:1 for Politics and a low 2:2 for Philosophy on OxCort. Surely that means my essays aren't terrible?!

Reply 3498

London Prophet

OP

17

Andy the Anarchist

That sounds beyond moronic, is that tutor at Oriel or someone else?

Not entirely ridiculous.

It's

Introduction
Evidence
Conclusion

There's no real reason evidence needs to cross reference itself (all there are times where it certainly helps)

Reply 3499