Hello,
There appears to be a deficiency on topics regarding US Students applying to prestigious universities abroad, so I wanted to get some clarification on the admissions criteria and process with Oxford. I aim to apply this admissions cycle, with the application due the 15th of October.
In regards to criteria for admission, I looked on their site and found that US Students need a 32 on the ACT and a combination of 3 SAT Subject Tests (700+) or AP Tests (5). I have a 34 on the ACT (35 Super Score) and a 720 on Lit, 740 on World History, and 5 on a social science AP test.
That being said, I cannot find if Oxford even looks at GPA in their decisions (it appears they do not???), or what other criteria they use. Also, I do not see a broad timeline or list of requirements of what is needed to apply.
Hopefully someone can shine some light on these topics, Thanks.
There are at least 10 threads on Oxbridge admissions for US students on the front page of this forum. Have you read them all?
What subject are you applying for?
There is quite a lot of info on CC & on the Oxford website. Imo, anybody who wants to go to uni in the UK should be doing a lot of research on their own- b/c that is the way the UK system works: you are expected to be quite independent and figure things out for yourself. But, that comes across as unhelpful, so here is the short version:
-
register by October 15 to take the History Aptitude Test, which is on November 2. There are a 14 test sites in the US (you can find a list online), or your school can apply to be a test center (which takes time)
-
submit your UCAS application by October 15, including your Personal Statement (an essay in which you demonstrate why you want to read history at Oxford and why you are a good candidate; again there are a lot of online resources about writing a good PS) and all of the standardized tests that you have already taken and that you are scheduled to take (your GC or teacher will have to give ‘predicted’ grades- what score you are predicted to get; be aware that if you get an offer it might be ‘conditional’ on achieving those scores). GPA will not be a factor for Oxford.
-
IF you make it through that round you will be invited to interview (in person or by Skype) in early Dec; offers go out in mid-January.
That’s it.
IMO your lack of history exams is going to be a problem (any chance you are doing APUSH or APEuro this year?) . Remember that they are looking for history fiends, not just good students. If you were to get in you would be all history, all the time.
Just to amplify what @collegemom3717 said. Sort out where you will take the HAT. You may need to travel in order to do that. Definitely research how to write a good PS. Make sure that your reference writer is given some background on what oxford is looking for in a reference. I agree that your AP/SAT subjects look light for your course. At this point, doing well on the HAT is the best thing you can do to increase your chances.
If you are applying for history they will expect you to have taken all the available history available to you in high school.
As a minimum, they’d likely expect APUSH, AP Euro or AP World, plus perhaps AP Gov (full or if us gov only completed with Econ) or AP Lit, with 5s or predicted 5s for all.
I took world history ap freshman year scored a four, AP Euro sophomore 4 as well, apush 4 as well. I took a variety of non related Aps as well with primarily 4/5s
You have to disclose all your scores on UCAS. Are you applying to other UK schools, besides Oxford? Oxford, unfortunately, will be a no.
If you got less than the top score on any history exams, I cannot imagine Oxford even inviting you for an interview for history. Sorry.
Some UK Unis only look at AP scores from tests from the final 2 years as well.