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

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Reply 4020
Avatar for calsbo
calsbo
I am planning to apply for PPE this September, deferred entry to Worcester college, and I have several questions.

I am currently completing the IB in the United States, and I was wondering what qualifications Oxford will be expecting from me; I do not have GCSEs, or AS Levels and I cannot see Oxford accepting me on only predicted grades, my PS, and interview. What are your thoughts on this?

Also, how much more difficult is it to gain deferred admittance? If, for some reason, I am unsuccessful, can I apply regularly the following year?

Any advice or knowledge you can offer is greatly appreciated.
Reply 4021
Avatar for calsbo
calsbo
These are the colleges I'm considering for PPE.

Which of the following do you prefer? What do you think of them? What are the people like? What is the food, accommodation, facilities...ect like?

Worcester College
Pembroke College
Lady Margaret Hall
St. Peter's
St. Catherine's

Thanks for the time.
1. Use the search function
2. Click the link in my sig - I haven't asked people to update it for a while, but it's my baby and it's quite comprehensive for colleges where we have active members on the forum.

Personally, I'd go for Worcester (beautiful grounds, nice cheap food, good location); Pembroke (very pretty, good size BUT v expensive) or St. Peter's (good location and yet tourist don't seem to know it's there; fantastic chapel; but sadly poor rowers). St. Catz is waaaaaay to modern for my tastes, and I've had my views of LMH coloured by friends' experiences there (although apparently this was more of a one-off-year)
Check out the Oxford website- they explain everything pretty clearly. Your IB scores are fine, but you also need the SATs- have you taken them?
For the natsci at cambridge do you have do decide in your application whether you want to do physical or biological? The course looks really interesting and at the moment I do not know which I would like to do more, I love maths and physics but equally enjoy biology and chemistry. Is there a way of getting a degree which covers both? Or would this be seen as being too broad and therefore not going into enough detail?
ginge4693
For the natsci at cambridge do you have do decide in your application whether you want to do physical or biological? The course looks really interesting and at the moment I do not know which I would like to do more, I love maths and physics but equally enjoy biology and chemistry. Is there a way of getting a degree which covers both? Or would this be seen as being too broad and therefore not going into enough detail?


Assuming they haven't changed anything, you have to say on the SAQ if you're applying for biological or physical. You'll almost certainly be interviewed with a biological approach if you put down biological, and from a physical approach if you put down physical. However, you can in theory choose whatever units you want (as long as they don't clash and you have the relevant A levels) in the first year. I've heard some colleges don't like bio applicants doing physics though but that depends on the college. I think it is probably easier to do biological things if you apply for physical than the reverse but both should be possible. I would apply for the one you think you can interview better at though.

After the first year I believe you'd probably have to make a choice between biological or physical as the choice of units would start getting a bit too diverse.

I wouldn't take my word as gospel though, I'm not there yet, but that is pretty much what I've heard. I'm planning to do 2 biology and either chemistry of physics in the first year so I will have a mix of biological and physical units. Good luck.

phil.
in short:
1) that's fine, they're totally used to it.
2) not a lot more difficult.
3) yes.
ginge4693
For the natsci at cambridge do you have do decide in your application whether you want to do physical or biological? The course looks really interesting and at the moment I do not know which I would like to do more, I love maths and physics but equally enjoy biology and chemistry. Is there a way of getting a degree which covers both? Or would this be seen as being too broad and therefore not going into enough detail?


Check the website.

You have to specialise by your third year to one option (e.g. chemistry, biochemistry, genetics). Prior to that any combination which is possible on the timetable and that you have the necessary prerequisites for is fine.
calsbo
These are the colleges I'm considering for PPE.

Which of the following do you prefer? What do you think of them? What are the people like? What is the food, accommodation, facilities...ect like?

Worcester College
Pembroke College
Lady Margaret Hall
St. Peter's
St. Catherine's

Thanks for the time.


Pembroke:
Very strong in economics, recent additions to the philosophy department is making is very decent, politics is good in some areas but much of the international relations is still taught by DPhil students (to be fair my DPhil was the best tutor I ever had).

People - very relaxed college, people work hard but not too hard, JCR meetings have free pizza and alcohol.
Food - Has improved dramatically in the last few years, formal hall twice a week and normal hall four times a week
Accommodation - first and third year and due to a huge new development they may be keeping second years in college as well now.
Facilities - JCR has free pool table, Bar is small, Library is small, college is very pretty
Reply 4029
Avatar for calsbo
calsbo
Pembroke and worcester are my top choices, they both seem really nice.
I also hope to take a gap year. Is there any way to know which college would be more open to deferred applicants? How common are gap years among PPEists and does the year need to be anything more than say organised travel or teaching abroad?

marlowe92
...you also need the SATs- have you taken them?


I was not planing to sit them as I am only applying to the UK and I have the IB.
Is this a problem? It is now too late and the next test session is after Oxford's application deadline.

-Calso
calsbo

......I was not planing to sit them as I am only applying to the UK and I have the IB.
Is this a problem? It is now too late and the next test session is after Oxford's application deadline.

-Calso


If you're applying from the US, they typically ask for 3 5's on the APs and a 700/700/700 minimum on the SATs. Then again, seeing as you have the IB, the requirements may be different- you should look this up on their website, all the information you need will be there
Reply 4031
Avatar for calsbo
calsbo
I emailed the admissions office and received this reply:

"Thank you for your email.

Competition for places at Oxford is very strong, and most conditional offers for students taking A-levels would be AAA. Offers for students taking the International Baccalaureate would probably be for between 38 and 40, including core points, with 6s or 7s in the higher subjects.

The University receives applications from candidates with a very wide range of qualifications. Therefore if you have not done GCSEs but you have completed other qualifications or school assessments prior to doing the IB we would be able to consider your application taking these qualifications into account (along with all the other information on your UCAS form and in any tests and/or interviews).

If you have any further queries please let me know.

Regards"

I'm not really sure what this means, but it seemingly says I will be fine with the IB...
Reply 4032
Avatar for pf1
pf1
4
You don't need further qualifications on top of the IB.
calsbo
These are the colleges I'm considering for PPE.

Which of the following do you prefer? What do you think of them? What are the people like? What is the food, accommodation, facilities...ect like?

Worcester College
Pembroke College
Lady Margaret Hall
St. Peter's
St. Catherine's

Thanks for the time.


Peters is a really friendly college, it is fairly small and very close knit. It has a great atmosphere and a good social life. There are quite a few PPEists and as far as the course goes St Peters unlike most colleges teaches all the options in first year whereas other colleges teach only select few. This means you get more choice on the end of year papers and have more free choice to pick and choose. The college accomodation and the anexes are wicked - though you'll be on site in first year. The food in hall is not the best in oxford admittedly but it is improving and there are some big changes happening. I don't know anyone that has come to Peters and not enjoyed it... :smile: Good luck wherever you choose...
Reply 4034
Avatar for Buffyboy
Buffyboy
My tutor is just starting on my reference, I've given all my subject teachers the reference forms to fill in that'll be passed back to my tutor. I've been talking about my reference with my tutor, what sort of achievements would you recommend she should mention? I'm aware that I don't want her to mention things that I would then mention in my PS, what do people think about this?
Hiya guys, right now is a very stressful time for me. Its crunch time at school and the oxbridge preparations are well under way.

NObody seems to be able to answer the questions:

1) If i am predicted 3A's at A2 level but iu get 2A 1B 1C at AS (most likely), do i have a chance for PPE, and if so what about oxford? btw ( 4A* 4A 2 B 1 C GCSE)

2) Anybody doing ppe? if so what did you get for gcse/as/alevel whatr offers did you get

do you think i should continue the process of applying to oxford? or is it a waste of time, im scratching my head on this one, not really any clear answers, help would be MUCH appreciated.

btw, any recommended books to talk about at interview?

THANKS ! :eek3:
First, what's with the big and purple. Distracting, much.

Well, you only need to be predicted AAA to apply / get an interview. But that said, if you only get a B or C at AS, it will harder to get an A at A2 level.

You have better GCSE's than I had, but I am the exception (I think I have the worst GCSEs here, haha :biggrin:)

It is not a waste of time, because if you don't try you will never get. But, that said, don't get your hopes set, because PPE is very competitive, and there WILL be people with all A* at GCSE, and AAAA at AS...

I don't know with books, I do PPP.
Tipareth


You have better GCSE's than I had, but I am the exception (I think I have the worst GCSEs here, haha :biggrin:)


Oh rly? :eek3:
you'll get straight onto big brother!
Tipareth
First, what's with the big and purple. Distracting, much.

Well, you only need to be predicted AAA to apply / get an interview. But that said, if you only get a B or C at AS, it will harder to get an A at A2 level.

You have better GCSE's than I had, but I am the exception (I think I have the worst GCSEs here, haha :biggrin:)

It is not a waste of time, because if you don't try you will never get. But, that said, don't get your hopes set, because PPE is very competitive, and there WILL be people with all A* at GCSE, and AAAA at AS...

I don't know with books, I do PPP.


Hey whats PPP? lol :smile:

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