<p>Hey guys, I'm a junior in a US high school and I want to apply to Oxford next year for the Philosophy, Politics and Economics course. Right now I have a 34 ACT (35 superscored if they care) a 2280 SAT score and a 5 on AP Euro history. </p>
<p>Next month I am taking the AP test for macro and micro economics, English language, Spanish language, and US history. I know I am supposed to be taking 'relevant' AP tests. I am taking US and comparative government next year among other subjects (English and Spanish lit, biology, calculus and possibly world history). Are there any other specific AP tests I should be taking? </p>
<p>Also, does it matter if I don't have any SAT IIs? Any of the ones I would take, I would have already taken the AP equivalent. I"d rather not spend more money that I have to. The site says either, but do they really expect both? </p>
<p>Finally, is it true they don't consider grades? My GPA is neither bad nor stellar (around a 3.8 I think). I heard you don't even send it in on the UCAS? </p>
<p>Thanks in advance!!</p>
<p>I’m planning on applying to PPE next year as well. Obviously I’m no expert, but I have been doing some research and from what I can tell:</p>
<p>-AP tests: the PPE site ([Philosophy</a>, Politics and Economics - Entrance requirements - University of Oxford](<a href=“http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate_courses/courses/philosophy_politics_and_economics/philosophy_politic_2.html]Philosophy”>http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate_courses/courses/philosophy_politics_and_economics/philosophy_politic_2.html)) advises that students concentrate on Mathematics and History. Calculus BC is probably what they would most like to see on the Mathematics department (if you read a bit further you’ll notice that they want their students to be able at least to differentiate). You’ve already taken Euro and US history, so World might possibly be a good addition. Beyond that, I also seem to recall reading somewhere that they like essay-based subjects, so Lit and Lang might be a good idea. But there aren’t any requirements. Also, I don’t <em>think</em> they have a preference for one over the other with regards to SAT subjects, but don’t quote me on that.</p>
<p>-Grades aren’t considered. I’m not sure if you’re still expected to send them in, but as I understand it Oxford attaches no importance to them whatsoever.</p>
<p>I also hope you’re aware of the TSA. As I understand it, once you meet a minimum threshold, this test is the big discriminator against who gets invited to interview or not. Investing some time this summer into preparing for it would probably be in your best interest.</p>
<p>Yeah, I know about the TSA. I found some practice tests online and it doesn’t seem extremely daunting, but obviously I’ll put some time into it after AP week is over. It sucks that the available testing centers are all far from my home though. </p>
<p>Thanks for the help!</p>
<p>If you have APs, you don’t need SAT II’s.</p>
<p>And yes, they absolutely do NOT care about your high school grades or GPA. These are things that simply don’t exist in the UK educational system.</p>
<p>Remember that you need to get "5"s on your AP tests for Oxford to look at them. If you get a score of less than 5, you may as well have not taken the test.</p>
<p>KEVP</p>
<p>Yes, GPA is pretty much ignored in favour of results on standardised tests. That’s how students in the UK are measured (GPA doesn’t exist here), hence why they are looking for an equivalent. </p>
<p>Don’t forget that there are other excellent universities in the UK. Just as Harvard isn’t the be-all and end-all of US higher education, Oxford (& Cambridge) isn’t the only UK university worth going to. For PPE, have a look at York, Manchester, Warwick, Hull (Hull isn’t renowned as a whole, but the politics department is stellar) amongst others.</p>
<p>^Durham</p>
<p>Durham has a good PPE programme. Be careful about what college you pick, too. Some of them, especially for PPE, are notorious for what in the US would be called legacy admission.</p>