Applying to Cambridge/Oxford

Student Lounge International Students
1

I’ve read that generally, a US applicant to Cambridge or Oxford should have received 5s in five APs closely related to their preferred subject to be considered for admission. Here are my current stats (I’m a rising senior). I would apply as a physics or math major.

AP: 5s in Physics 1, Physics C Mechanics, Calc BC, and Statistics. (I got a 5 on the AB sub-score for Calc BC – does that count as a fifth 5?)

I also took Multivariable Calculus as a junior and received an A. Could that make up for only having four 5s in APs related to physics and math?

4.0 UW GPA

35 ACT Composite (35 on Math, 36 on Science)

Subject Tests: 740 Math 1, 800 Math 2, 780 Physics

I only have 5s on four math/physics related APs, but I think the rest of my stats show that I am strong in those two areas. As a US applicant, would I be a competitive applicant to Cambridge or Oxford?

Thanks!

2

Actually they want 5’s in a variety of subjects and then each major will have specific requirements.

Do not assume physics will not also want a Language and Humanities score.

3

Why would Physics or Maths also want an Humanities score? A British student studying for A-Levels and planning to go into Maths or Physics would also typically take Maths, Further Maths and Physics. Nobody would expect of him to take something like History or English. Those subjects would also not be counted towards the minimum of 5 APs, as they are not related to the chosen course. I’m fairly certain that the tutors would not be particularly interested in these scores either.

So far your scores are great and if you don’t have 5 APs when applying that would not be much of a problem as your offer would then be conditional upon obtaining more 5s. However, what’s far more important for getting an offer is the aptitude test, in your case either MAT or PAT. You also write a personal statement, which should be entirely academic in nature and only focused on your chosen course, which you submit through UCAS until October (or September, if you plan to be interviewed in the US, I think).

If you do well on MAT or PAT you will be invited to interviews, which are essentially oral exams in your subject. Based on all these factors you will receive a conditional or unconditional offer or be rejected. However, you can find all of these informations on the websites of the universities.

Also, be aware that there is barely any financial support for students outside the EU.

4

No, @VickiSoCal, Oxbridge definitely is not interested in your having a variety of subjects (and fwiw, there are no ‘majors’- you study only what you sign up to study). Explicitly, tutors who do admissions say ‘we aren’t interested in how well rounded the student is- we want students who love our subject as much as we do’ (you can hear that on one of the Oxford admissions podcasts on iTunes, and I have heard it over and over again in person). Unless you are applying for physics & philosophy, the physics and math departments are all about math & physics.

Specifically, you must apply with physics and calc BC and they really like it if you can apply with a further math (which you can, though it’s informal as a classroom grade won’t officially count).

Oxford only requires 3 APs, and some colleges at Cambridge do as well (Kings, for example).

But: both colleges have their own test that you also have to take for math or physics.

Cambridge has the STEP paper, which is taken in June of your senior year. So, if you apply to Cambridge, get an interview and then get an offer it will be ‘conditional’ on passing the STEP paper with a specific score (see a sample [url=<a href=“http://www.admissionstestingservice.org/for-test-takers/step/preparing-for-step/%5Dhere%5B/here”>http://www.admissionstestingservice.org/for-test-takers/step/preparing-for-step/]here[/here].

For Oxford it will be the Physics or Math Aptitude Test (PAT or MAT) (depending on what you apply for), and they are offered in early November. If your overall application- test scores, Personal Statement, LoR and PAT/MAT score- is strong enough you are offered an interview; if after interview you are offered a place it will either be ‘uncondtional’ (ie, ‘you’re all set & we’ll send you a welcome packet in August with more info’) or ‘conditional’ on exams you are taking in June (imo, unlikely for you, as you have everything relevant).

I would suggest you read the descriptions of each course at each uni and see which is more interesting to you- you will find details right down to how your day is structured and what you take each term online.

And yes, imo, you are a credible candidate.

5

My understanding is that having 2 5s in physics doesn’t matter and having 2 5s in math doesn’t either, they don’t count twice, so to speak. If they say they want a certain number of 5’ they must be in different subjects.

We looked at Cambridge for chem but she didn’t have the score so moved on. Theyes said 5 chem score, 5 math score, 5 on other scores and they could be other subjects.

6

I would disagree with that. They won’t necessarily discount an unrelated subject, but they certainly aren’t actively looking for them.

They won’t count two separate Physics scores as separate APs, let alone subscores within Calc; and Stats is not regarded as one of the strongest APs, so you might want to look at taking at least one more AP next year. Can you do Chemistry or Biology? It doesn’t matter that you haven’t taken it yet, it just means that if you get an offer, it would be conditional on your scoring a 5 in one or more AP next year.

I think Oxford is a more sensible option for you than Cambridge just because they only ask for 3 APs to Cambridge’s 5; and also if you decide on Physics rather than pure Math, admission is to Natural Sciences and lacking Chem and Bio background might make you look like a weaker candidate.

7

Neither Oxford nor Cambridge interview in the US; Oxford is used to interviewing by Skype if you can’t make it to them, but Cambridge is just dipping it’s toes in that water, so you can’t count on having a Skype option.

Also, the world-wide application date for both Oxford and Cambridge is 15 October- which is also the deadline to register for the MAT or PAT (which are being given on 2 November this year), but if you are going to take it, start figuring out where early- if you don’t live near a test center it can take some organizing.

@nyctea is right about the importance of the MAT/PAT: although the admissions tests are important in all subjects they are particularly important in maths & physics.

@VickiSoCal is right that you can’t double count SATII & AP in the same subject.

@Conformist1688’s point about NatSci at Cambridge is important- & why you need to read the course info carefully for both before choosing.

8

Oh, yes, by interviewing in the US i meant Skype interviews, I’m aware that interviews in person are only possible in Oxford. I’m sorry if my comment was misleading. I guess I was wrong about the September deadline, I thought there were different deadlines for special interview arrangements. I might have confused it with the deadline for Organ scholars. (I suppose you do not play the organ, otherwise you could apply to Oxford and Cambridge at the same time.)

@collegemom3717 thank you for correcting me.

9

& you get such great swishy robes if you are an organ scholar!

Actually @ncytea- you aren’t wrong, there are some places (Asia) that Oxbridge do interview locally, just not the US.

10

@collegemom3717 Oh, really? I didn’t know that. During my interviews we had a timetable in the JCR which did not only specify our times and interviewers, but for some reason also times of Skype interviews. The people conducting the Skype interviews where the same as those conducting the regular ones, so I just assumed that local interviews abroad where not possible. I thought that the tutors would rather not leave the country for only three or four days of interviews. However, of course, my experience is limited to one college at one of the two universities, so my assumptions are probably a bit erroneous.

11

Cambridge interviews in Canada, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore. Oxford is really good at Skype now, so I don’t think that they travel anymore. None of my business, but which subject/college, and how did it work out for you?

12

Maths at Oxford, by now my offer has turned to unconditional, so I’m starting in October. But I would rather not give away the college, as mine is quite small and thus doesn’t take many students for each subject.

13

Mega-congrats!! around mid-August you will get the info packet- and you should also get a letter from your college parents, one of whom should also be a mathmo (you should also have a college sibling, who will be in the same subject as your non-math college parent). They can be a great source of info, both about coming up to college in general and for your subject in particular.

As I don’t know anything you, two extremely general suggestions: 1) beware of fresher’s week: the drink gets the better of a surprising number of people- even very experienced drinkers; and 2) I have yet to meet an Oxford student who hasn’t admitted (albeit sometimes 2 or 3 years later) that they felt quite overwhelmed for a good part of their first term, and often into Hilary, and that at some points they weren’t sure they would measure up. And yet, they pretty much all do. Have a super adventure!

14

Thank you! I’m already looking so much forward to it. Also, I can’t wait for the info packet. I’m actually a bit worried about fresher’s week because I don’t like drinking or partying and I hope that there is also something else to do. You are right, I’m really scared at the moment that I’m not good enough. (I still think that they admitted me by mistake.) I just hope that what you say is true! Thank you for the suggestions!

15

RE: “Neither Oxford nor Cambridge interview in the US; Oxford is used to interviewing by Skype if you can’t make it to them, but Cambridge is just dipping it’s toes in that water, so you can’t count on having a Skype option.”

Bogus. Cambridge colleges have been quite comfortable with Skype interviews for 10 years now. They will suggest Skype but, if you really feel adventurous and have the money, you can request an interview at Cambridge itself and fly over for it.

Getting an interview is HUGE.

16

Absolutely, it was no mistake, @Nyctea :slight_smile:

There are plenty of other people who aren’t partiers- they are just quieter and therefore less obvious. If you haven’t found it yet, go over to [url=<a href=“http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3779151%5Dthis*%5B/url”>http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3779151]this*[/url] thread (Offer Holders Thread: 2016 Entry) and introduce yourself- ask for other students at your college and/or in your subject. You may find some fellow travelers there, and it’s not uncommon for students who have met through the site to meet at G&Ds (ice cream) when they first come up.

*if it doesn’t click through, check to see if there are stars in the link, if so put in the words the student room, all joined up.

17

I know the student room, but thank you again! :slight_smile:

18

@makennacompton:

True: Getting an interview is HUGE.

False:

Bogus. Cambridge colleges have been quite comfortable with Skype interviews for 10 years now. They will suggest Skype but, if you really feel adventurous and have the money, you can request an interview at Cambridge itself and fly over for it.

True:

SOME Cambridge colleges are comfortable with Skype.

SOME Cambridge colleges specifically state they they do not do Skype interviews.

ALL Cambridge colleges prefer to interview in-person, with Skype is a second choice at those who offer it.

19

@Nyctea , my daughter just graduated Cam and had no trouble with socializing as a very moderate drinker. She never felt peer pressure to drink, people were fine if she hung out with them and didn’t get drunk. The entire experience was wonderfully intense, socially and academically. You are headed for a great adventure. Congratulations!

20

@alcibiade Thank you!