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

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Reply 6540
Avatar for Nerdy03
Nerdy03
Original post by StMaximA
May sound as a rather weird question, but has anyone got their interview invitations? (especially, New college people)?! :biggrin:


I don't know anyone who has... But we will get an answer on friday the latest, because PPE applicants have to be in oxford on sunday and I'm pretty sure the admission office is closed on the weekend. Which means that they are theoretically "not allowed" to notify us after friday :smile:.
Hey guys, I'm preparing for a PPE interview at LMH next week and was wondering what sort of weighting the admissions tutors put on each subject. Because I'd say I'm a lot, lot stronger in philosophy and politics than economics (which I haven't studied before). Will this disadvantage me against more well rounded applicants?
It says on the website they're looking for real strength in at least one area, and no very problematic weakness in another. So you don't necessarily have to be amazing in all three.
Reply 6543
Avatar for arra
arra
7
If you do a quick Google or TSR search, you will find compilations of past interview questions that students from many courses, including PPE, have been asked. Some of the questions seem to require a bit of specific outside knowledge, but I can imagine those would be tailored to the Personal Statement. The idea I get from the questions, in general, is that they more than anything test how well you can think about a question that has no simple quick answer, so like the TSA except they want you to develop your lines of thought, that's the idea I get maybe I'm wrong.
Reply 6544
Avatar for diddums
diddums
Excel at one (or at least have an inspiring moment :P) and cope with the rest. Depends on the rest of your application as well (eg exceptionally high tsas)

Hmm, I can tell you that once you're actually in the course, in the 1st year you only need to be averagely acceptable- there will be some modules you will find hard. This is the conclusion Ive reached after seeing EM friends put me in shame (not in a bad way) during eco tutorials....god, they're good.
Reply 6545
Avatar for EM(Lin)
EM(Lin)
6
A friend of mine is studying Physics and Philosophy, and her ability at Physics, Philosophy and Maths were all considered at interview and in the admissions tests. The feedback she got after she received her offer (her school passed it on to her) was that she was strong at Philosophy and ok at the other two, so she got a place. If you're strong in one or two of the subjects, you won't be at a disadvantage so long as you aren't completely useless at the remaining one(s). Bear in mind that it is usual (and, based on my PPE friends' experiences, encouraged) for PPEists to drop one of the three subjects in second year- it won't matter too much if you're relatively weak in one of them :smile:
A question related to this one - what are economics PPE interview questions like for those who have not previously studied any economics? Many of the questions listed on the internet appear to require some level of knowledge of economic theory already, but I assume those are asked to those doing it at A-Level?
Reply 6547
Avatar for arra
arra
7
I doubt any theory is needed for those not studying at A-Level, at least I remember reading something like that on the website. And I suppose if you talk about econ theories a lot in your PS idk.
Reply 6548
Avatar for Budgie
Budgie
12
Original post by dancinginrainbows
A question related to this one - what are economics PPE interview questions like for those who have not previously studied any economics? Many of the questions listed on the internet appear to require some level of knowledge of economic theory already, but I assume those are asked to those doing it at A-Level?


When I interviewed there were separate questions for those who had and had not studied economics before. The questions tend to be designed to see if you think like an economist rather than to see what you know about economics. For example, you might be faced with a game and asked how you would play it.


Original post by Billy Pilgrim
Hey guys, I'm preparing for a PPE interview at LMH next week and was wondering what sort of weighting the admissions tutors put on each subject. Because I'd say I'm a lot, lot stronger in philosophy and politics than economics (which I haven't studied before). Will this disadvantage me against more well rounded applicants?


I wouldn't assume this just because you haven't studied economics before. It's more about how you think than what you know. I have often found that philosophers and economists think in very similar (structured, analytical) ways, which is why they make a great pair to study. Like I said above, if you think like an economist, even without having studied it before, you could do exceptionally well at interview. It's hard to predict.

It is also hard to predict exactly what tutors prefer regarding varying degrees consistency across subjects - that kind of trade off is the kind of thing that is likely to vary from tutor to tutor.
(edited 12 years ago)
Hello! I'm planning on applying for Oxford with PPE as my course. But before anything else, I need to finish my UCAS application. I wanted to know on what I should include for my personal statement. I also wanted to know if the chances of me getting shortlisted for Oxford would increase if I mention that I received two plaques and one medal from the former Vice President of my country for academic excellence... :smile:
Original post by BellesdeJour
Hello! I'm planning on applying for Oxford with PPE as my course. But before anything else, I need to finish my UCAS application. I wanted to know on what I should include for my personal statement. I also wanted to know if the chances of me getting shortlisted for Oxford would increase if I mention that I received two plaques and one medal from the former Vice President of my country for academic excellence... :smile:


The deadline's passed... hasn't it? :s-smilie: I thought it was Jan 15th
I'm going to apply for October 2013. I'm from a Non-EU country so I have extra examinations to take like IELTS and such
you just really need to show a passion for your subject, demonstrate wide knowledge from very different viewpoints. its great you've got awards and stuff, but it really depends on how you do at interview!
Original post by Jabberwox
The deadline's passed... hasn't it? :s-smilie: I thought it was Jan 15th


This is TSR - this person could be applying for 2017 entry for all we know :tongue:
Obviously you should mention it; and also, it these awards have something to do with PPE (like if they're not for physics or something), you could also expand on why you got them and how that shows your interest for PPE.
Reply 6555
Avatar for Mouth
Mouth
12
How important is work experience for PPE? I keep getting worked up over it and wondered if my time was better spent just doing extra revision for AS levels.
Eg, is just working at the local constiuency office enough? Or any over advice for things I could do? :smile:
Original post by Mouth
How important is work experience for PPE? I keep getting worked up over it and wondered if my time was better spent just doing extra revision for AS levels.
Eg, is just working at the local constiuency office enough? Or any over advice for things I could do? :smile:


My advice, as an offer holder who is nervous about getting grades, is that spend as much time as you can revising, trying and get as far ahead with your a-level work as possible.

When it comes to doing extra things, I have done nothing impressive, what I have done is followed my interests.
I have watched loads of youtube videos, read books and spent time trying to formulate my own thoughts about these things. That is more important than any superficial list of accomplishments on a personal statement in my opinion.

I may be completely wrong.
Reply 6557
Avatar for Bax-man
Bax-man
2
Original post by InspectorSophie
My advice, as an offer holder who is nervous about getting grades, is that spend as much time as you can revising, trying and get as far ahead with your a-level work as possible.

When it comes to doing extra things, I have done nothing impressive, what I have done is followed my interests.
I have watched loads of youtube videos, read books and spent time trying to formulate my own thoughts about these things. That is more important than any superficial list of accomplishments on a personal statement in my opinion.

I may be completely wrong.


You're completely right. The best way you can help your application is do well in your A-levels and think.
Reply 6558
Avatar for Mouth
Mouth
12
Original post by InspectorSophie
My advice, as an offer holder who is nervous about getting grades, is that spend as much time as you can revising, trying and get as far ahead with your a-level work as possible.

When it comes to doing extra things, I have done nothing impressive, what I have done is followed my interests.
I have watched loads of youtube videos, read books and spent time trying to formulate my own thoughts about these things. That is more important than any superficial list of accomplishments on a personal statement in my opinion.

I may be completely wrong.

Thanks for the quick reply! And you're right, I can imagine the worst thing is getting an offer and not reaching it so I am going to try really hard. What is your offer by the way? Want to know what i have to work towards!

And any book recommendations? I know barely anything about philosophy, so I'm going to read 'Think' to get some basic knowledge.
Reply 6559
Avatar for Bax-man
Bax-man
2
Original post by Mouth
Thanks for the quick reply! And you're right, I can imagine the worst thing is getting an offer and not reaching it so I am going to try really hard. What is your offer by the way? Want to know what i have to work towards!

And any book recommendations? I know barely anything about philosophy, so I'm going to read 'Think' to get some basic knowledge.


Think is good, as is Russell's Problems of Philosophy.

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