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

Anyhow, as you can see I do quite a lot, and achieve acceptable grades, I also take a great intrest in politics and economics, reading several magazines, the papers, and discussing them at length whereever possible

As such I do have a great intrest in the subject, and my limited experience of philosiphy has made me appreciate that I would enjoy it as well


However I'm stressing for a number of reasons - which someone can hopefully help me with


Firstly: Are those grades honestly competitive enough

Secondly:Will my lack of maths really affect my chances? Should I try and take AS level maths next year at the expense of Business and Citizenship? Or is it only a small disadvantage if I'm interested?

Third: I'm doing some major reading in all 3 areas at the minute, will this affect my chances at all? Or just further show that I have an intrest in the topic

Fourth: Is there any college that has an affinity for Fencers?

That's about it for now, sorry I've rambled a lot and stuff, I'm just worrying a lot atm

Any help would be appreciated

-Guy

I did the PPE Test sample today (timed and all) and got 15 wrong!

Have I got a chance of making it this autumn?

1. Your GCSE grades are probably slightly weaker than the average PPE candidate's, but definitely not weak enough to destroy your chances. It's very important that you do very well in AS, though - all A's at AS would definitely help in offsetting this.

2. Yes. Economics at degree level becomes far more mathematical than you've experienced at AS, and your A grade at GCSE would be a worry. I would definitely recommend taking AS level maths next year at the expense of Business and Citizenship, which to be honest will not help a PPE application much at all.

3. In terms of affecting your chances, it's probably quite essential to read relatively widely as lots of people will be reeling off the titles of books they've read in their personal statements - so don't give it up! However, what is most important is not the sheer volume of books you've read, but whether you can form intelligent opinions about them. That's far more important. Of course, even if this weren't true, reading around helps in general because, as you said, it develops your interest which in itself is a chance booster. Though bear in mind that they are definitely not looking for someone who can reel off relevant points and arguments from a range of economists/politicians/philosophers; at interview, and on your personal statement etc., they'll be looking for someone who can think critically and deeply above all. It helps to be informed, of course, but as I mentioned above, it's far more important thinking deeply about the things you do read.

4. Sorry, no idea about this one!

i am interested in PPE but am having difficulty deciding on relevant work experience due to the fact that unlike medicine etc. PPE does not lead into an obvious career path. i have completed a week with a barrister which i suppose has some relevance but was wondering if anyone has other suggestions? i was thinking perhaps corporate banking to cover the economics side of things and maybe a few days with a local politician would be useful but i am interested to hear from anyone else.

My college asked for 1.3, without any further specifications. Your grades are definitely the equivalent of AAA. However most Germans I've met here got 1.0... Compared to other Germans who will apply, who'll probably have mostly 15, your grades won't look that great. But seeing that they only want AAA from English people, it shouldn't be that big of a disadvantage. I don't know how they calculate it in your Land, but do you think you can get 1.3 (or a 1.3 prediction)?

Also the other two questions I had were:

I just tried the aptitude test and on the multiple choice got 33/50, is 35 honestly good? Or should I keep practicing a lot?

Thanks in advance

-Guy

The average of all applying candidates for PPE last year was around 31-32/50. The average applicant gets rejected, so there's certainly room for improvement, but it's not outright bad.

I'd be pretty interested in doing social sciences,like PPE/Economics and Politics/History and Politics at university, but I'm not that sure, being in Year 11 and all...

Anyway, I've got to make my A-Level choices. I'm set on Maths, History, Politics as three of them. I'd probably do A-Level Maths in one year, thereby completing 4 A2-Levels.

For my fourth, which would be better out of Physics and French? There is nothing between them as far as enjoyment is concerned. I'll probably get A* in Physics and A in French at GCSE. I don't know which to choose and won't do five, so would either be particularly more useful for PPE, or similar subjects?