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

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JoshW7
What daily paper to PPEists read out of interest?

The Financial Times because it's the only international newspaper I can get here, plus a bunch of Dutch papers and whatever I feel like reading online.
Reply 5741
Avatar for Gawge
Gawge
8
Gawge
I'm thinking about applying for PPE for 2011. At the moment I do Maths, Economics, Religious Studies and Physics. In my first module at AS I got AABB in Maths, RS, Economics and Physics respectively. I have done a re-sit of the first Economics module along with my second module exams which i'll be getting the results for in a few weeks. My teachers have predicted me AAAB, the B being in Physics which I intend to drop in September. I feel confident that I can achieve A's in Maths and RS, however i'm not too sure about Economics.

I didn't really know what I wanted to do when I chose my AS Levels. I still don't really have a clue about what career I want to choose once I have finished my degree. However from simply browsing the subjects available on the UCAS website, this is the course which appeals to me the most, or at least some variant of it. If I was to only do two of the subjects, Philosophy would probably be one of them as that is the subject which I find the most interesting.

I haven't visited any Universities yet, I have only filled out the main details for UCAS so far. My ideal University to study PPE, without too much research would be York. It is fairly close to home, probably less than an hour drive, yet a very well respected University. I also looked quite a lot at Lancaster, which is high in the University League tables, but only required ABB for PPE. I live in Hull, so I suppose Hull University could be my "back-up back-up".

I would just generally like to know what kind of places I should be applying for, what I can be doing to improve my chance of getting in the better Universities etc... What books would you suggest that I read so that I can add to my personal statement?


Does anybody have any advice for me? It would be very very very greatly appreciated.
Gawge
Does anybody have any advice for me? It would be very very very greatly appreciated.

You've posted this in the Oxford subforum. It's more likely you get a good anwser on the Applications & UCAS subforum.
JoshW7
What daily paper to PPEists read out of interest?

Iread The FT, The Times and The Economist.
Reply 5744
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Gawge
8
What reading material would you reccommend in preparation for applying for a PPE course?

What is interesting to read? What looks impressive on a Personal Statement?
Gawge
What reading material would you reccommend in preparation for applying for a PPE course?

What is interesting to read? What looks impressive on a Personal Statement?

There's two types of reading when applying. First is reading for your PS. For that, I'd suggest not reading the most standard books, you want to stand out. Go to the nearest quality bookstore, go to the appropriate sections and pick a couple out you like. Or be modern and do the same thing on Amazon. Don't forget that you shouldn't just mention the book but also say what you learned from it, why you thought it was interesting, etc. For your interviews, reading is not essential, but if it'd make you feel more comfortable reading general introductions into all three branches, especially those you haven't studied before, can never hurt. Also, be sure to read some quality news papers and the Economist.
Gawge
What reading material would you reccommend in preparation for applying for a PPE course?

What is interesting to read? What looks impressive on a Personal Statement?


Try the guide on Page 1 - plenty of suggestions in section 4.3
Reply 5747
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Gawge
8
I was thinking about getting "Think" by Nigel Blackburn. Would you reccommend this? Or should I also look for something a little more niche to look impressive on a Personal Statement?
I would like to say hello :awesome: I read through the ENTIRE thread (all 200+ pages) in the past week or two! (It's summer.) Planning to apply for 2013 entry, which is ages away, but anyway. Hello :smile:
Gawge
I was thinking about getting "Think" by Nigel Blackburn. Would you reccommend this? Or should I also look for something a little more niche to look impressive on a Personal Statement?


You mean by Simon Blackburn? It's been recommended by a lot of people as a good introduction to philosophy, so read it, I guess (I personally haven't read it though). It's just an introduction; you can read more specialised books later on.
Gawge
I was thinking about getting "Think" by Nigel Blackburn. Would you reccommend this? Or should I also look for something a little more niche to look impressive on a Personal Statement?

Definitely read it - it's great for a first intro to philosophy but do not put it on your PS! The book is recommended by the Oxford website as well as specific college websties too - 'everyone' is reading it. When I was at interviews, fellow applicants had already read it and a couple were even carrying it around with them to finish it off (one of those was me).
Like you suggested, find something different for the PS. Don't forget there's PS reading and there's extra reading to make you that little bit more prepared for interviews!
Caustica
I would like to say hello :awesome: I read through the ENTIRE thread (all 200+ pages) in the past week or two! (It's summer.) Planning to apply for 2013 entry, which is ages away, but anyway. Hello :smile:

Well, you've got the dedication :wink:
Reply 5752
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Gawge
8
Thanks for the advice.

I think that I will get "Think" and then move on to some more niche/specialised books.
elieshout
Well, you've got the dedication :wink:


Orrr it could've been me convincing myself that this was a useful way to spend my summer time in place of revision :wink:

Saw on your profile that you're planning to apply for PPE - for which year of entry?
Caustica
Orrr it could've been me convincing myself that this was a useful way to spend my summer time in place of revision :wink:

Saw on your profile that you're planning to apply for PPE - for which year of entry?

Oh then I should update my profile. I applied for 2010 entry, got in, so will be off to Oxford in October :smile:
I've updated both the guide and the wiki with various bits of information from the last 20 pages (and some other information).

Hope it helps!
Im in!
See you all next year!
elieshout
Oh then I should update my profile. I applied for 2010 entry, got in, so will be off to Oxford in October :smile:


Oh, that's awesome, congrats! :biggrin: Which college will you be going to?
Caustica
Oh, that's awesome, congrats! :biggrin: Which college will you be going to?

Univ! I definitly reccomend applying there, it's awesome and there's a big PPE group :yep:

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