Hi! I’m interested in applying to Oxford, but I don’t understand the admissions requirements. Is there a specific test I have to take, or are the SAT and AP exams sufficient? What application do I use? I am very confused about the whole thing. Is it purely based on scores? Does GPA matter and is it the same in the UK? Please help!
Most subjects do have a specific additional test nowadays, but it will depend on which subject you’re applying for.
They will want at least 3 AP exams with scores of 5, as closely related as possible to the subject you’re applying for; excellent recommendation from your teachers; and a convincing personal statement regarding why you’re a good fit for the course. GPA isn’t relevant per se, because they know it can be subjective. You apply via the UCAS application which all UK universities choose, and you can use the same application for four others as well (excluding Cambridge - you can only apply to one of these two). You may also need to register for additional Oxford tests as above. Deadline for Oxford apps is 15 October.
If your application passes the first cut you will be invited for an interview with academic faculty members, which is then the deciding factor.
What subject are you interested in? The Oxford website is reasonably clear about minimum requirements, timetables, etc.
Let’s back up for a minute. You are interested in NYU and Oxford but from your other threads, you can’t afford to pay for AP study materials or summer programs. On CC the first question is always: what can you afford? NYU does have a few great scholarships- but they are very competitive, and for most students are famously stingy with financial aid. Oxford has no meaningful aid for American students, so you need to be able to spend $45K+ / year.
For the UK, you don’t have a major: you have a subject and that is all you study. First year you typically have few (if any) class choices; in the following years your choices are electives within your major subject. So, to get full information about the requirements, look up the subject. For example, the information for prospective undergraduates looking to ‘read’ (study) English is [url=<a href=“http://www.english.ox.ac.uk/prospective-undergraduates.html%5Dhere%5B/url”>http://www.english.ox.ac.uk/prospective-undergraduates.html]here[/url], including details about the course, what they are looking for, and admissions requirements.
As @Conformist1688 says, the Oxford website is very clear. The larger point about Oxford (and the UK in general) is that they provide the information (the websites are amazing), but they expect you to figure things out for yourself. This is true all the way through, so it works best if you are very independent, self-motivated and good at figuring things out.
Ah, yes, if finances are an issue, Oxford may not be a realistic option.
@hustleandflow, I would suggest you look at collegemom’s replies. She has explained the nuances in great detail and knows the most of all advice givers here, I think. Do you know The Student Room? It is a blog site on the UK unis, you should go there.