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

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Reply 6820
Avatar for Mouth
Mouth
12
Is it okay to talk about philosophy in a more political philosophy way? I may be apply to just Politics and Economics at other unis and I don't know much about philosophy anyway. If not, I quite like the look of paradoxes so read a bit on some of those :P
Thanks.

Yeah. I did mention quite a fair bit about political philosophy, wonder if that still counts under the phil part.
:smile:
Reply 6822
Avatar for Bax-man
Bax-man
2
Original post by Mouth
Is it okay to talk about philosophy in a more political philosophy way? I may be apply to just Politics and Economics at other unis and I don't know much about philosophy anyway. If not, I quite like the look of paradoxes so read a bit on some of those :P


That's how I did it.
Reply 6823
Avatar for Mouth
Mouth
12
I've said this before but have one more day before I must decide..
Will dropping history A level over politics make any difference? I know they say history is more recommended but I am more confident with politics.
Original post by Mouth
I've said this before but have one more day before I must decide..
Will dropping history A level over politics make any difference? I know they say history is more recommended but I am more confident with politics.


Go with Politics then, I very much doubt dropping one subject, even though it is a recommended one, to study one of the disciplines that you'd be studying if you got an offer will be the difference between you getting in or not.
Original post by tooambitious
Yeah, that would be a good idea, they'll know best :smile:


Hey, sad times,

So my entire life has got worse and I have got worse. To add insult to injury, my head of Maths. has hinted that he'll predict me a B or worse, probably a B. French will probably be an A as will History, probably. Still worth it? I don't see why not if I do well in the TSA and hope it proves I'm better than they might assume...

I feel quite sad because I love Maths. and I think to have done everything I have done this year with my issues is an achievement but oh well. Thoughts?
Original post by loopy786
Hey, sad times,

So my entire life has got worse and I have got worse. To add insult to injury, my head of Maths. has hinted that he'll predict me a B or worse, probably a B. French will probably be an A as will History, probably. Still worth it? I don't see why not if I do well in the TSA and hope it proves I'm better than they might assume...

I feel quite sad because I love Maths. and I think to have done everything I have done this year with my issues is an achievement but oh well. Thoughts?


Apply and see how it goes :smile:, but there's always the option of applying once you get your A2 grades of you think you an do better :biggrin:
Original post by loopy786
Hey, sad times,

So my entire life has got worse and I have got worse. To add insult to injury, my head of Maths. has hinted that he'll predict me a B or worse, probably a B. French will probably be an A as will History, probably. Still worth it? I don't see why not if I do well in the TSA and hope it proves I'm better than they might assume...

I feel quite sad because I love Maths. and I think to have done everything I have done this year with my issues is an achievement but oh well. Thoughts?


Apply and see how it goes :smile:, but there's always the option of applying once you get your A2 grades of you think you an do better :biggrin:
Original post by tooambitious
Apply and see how it goes :smile:, but there's always the option of applying once you get your A2 grades of you think you an do better :biggrin:


I'm tempted to apply because I don't think there's any point in letting this hold me back. I won't be expecting an interview and if I do get one, it will be a miraculous life line and I must have been good at the TSA/reference to have impressed enough to be interviewed, otherwise I'll shove it under the carpet and reapply.
How important is the TSA score? Is it more/less important than grades, and can anyone recommend a website/book to help prepare (apart from the past papers)?
Original post by JOR2010
How important is the TSA score? Is it more/less important than grades, and can anyone recommend a website/book to help prepare (apart from the past papers)?


From what I've read, the TSA score is very important. A high TSA score around the 80s can offset a very average interview score, whereas a barely-acceptable TSA score such as 66 will require a solid interview performance to get in. Grades really aren't important at all - as long as you meet the requirements, they're not a big deal. If you go on the TSA website (the place with the past papers), there's a list of books there.
Original post by Aeonstorm
From what I've read, the TSA score is very important. A high TSA score around the 80s can offset a very average interview score, whereas a barely-acceptable TSA score such as 66 will require a solid interview performance to get in. Grades really aren't important at all - as long as you meet the requirements, they're not a big deal. If you go on the TSA website (the place with the past papers), there's a list of books there.


I think this depends a lot on college, I think it's important for interview selection, but some colleges after selection for interview they disregard the TSA completely
Original post by Aeonstorm
From what I've read, the TSA score is very important. A high TSA score around the 80s can offset a very average interview score, whereas a barely-acceptable TSA score such as 66 will require a solid interview performance to get in. Grades really aren't important at all - as long as you meet the requirements, they're not a big deal. If you go on the TSA website (the place with the past papers), there's a list of books there.


66 isn't "barely acceptable".........its a pretty decent score.
Original post by Ja-m-ie
I do PPE and I asked my tutor about A levels and they said that Maths and History are recommended because of the Logic in Philosophy and Economics and History is so you can have a strong background in essay writing and arguing.

Then they recommended English Lit because it reinforces the essay writing skills and you will be reading a lot. If you want to do a forth, they said a Science is always useful.

They also emphasised how they prefer Maths to Economics as an A level as if you have done Economics they have to un-teach you everything.

Based on that, your A levels are pretty damn perfect.

For an introduction to economics, I would say "Naked Economics" is useful and interesting. People also recommend Freakonomics, but it seems like a mainstream choice, which isn't something I like. "The Economist" is good to keep you up to date with current affairs; however, I prefer the FT/NYT.

The economics course itself is very different to these texts, however. There is a much heavier focus on the theory and then applying the theory to different situations, so I wouldn't say this reading would help you get a feel for the course. Yet, it will let you know if you are interested in what Economics has to say.

Good luck :smile:


Which college is this?
Original post by dogmatichurricane
66 isn't "barely acceptable".........its a pretty decent score.


Really? At my college 63 seemed to be the deselection point for interview...
Original post by JOR2010
How important is the TSA score? Is it more/less important than grades, and can anyone recommend a website/book to help prepare (apart from the past papers)?


Thinking Skills by Butterworth and Thwaites is quite a good book for preparation
Just a question on the personal statement: since I am an Australian, would it be a good idea to relate my own experience of Australian politics and economics and how it has influenced my interest in PPE? Or would it be a bad idea to try and highlight that I am an international?
Hi! I'm from Italy and I'd like to try to get in the PPE course at Oxford this year, but I couldn't find any infos about the pre-interview tests for international students. I don't think I could take the TSA at my school.. What should I do? :K:How do I register as an individual? Thanks in advance :smile:
Reply 6838
Avatar for benq
benq
17
Guys, what in your opinion is better combination for PPE at Oxford and why?

Maths, Economics, History, Philosophy OR Maths, Economics, History, Geography ?
Reply 6839
Avatar for Bax-man
Bax-man
2
Original post by benq
Guys, what in your opinion is better combination for PPE at Oxford and why?

Maths, Economics, History, Philosophy OR Maths, Economics, History, Geography ?


It doesn't really matter.

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