Applying to OxBridge as a U.S. College Student

Student Lounge International Students
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<p>Hello!</p>

<p>I am a college student looking to Transfer to Oxford or Cambridge for Computer Science. I understand that it is nearly impossible to Transfer to OxBridge, so I am wondering if I can apply as a first year undergraduate having taken a couple years of college in the U.S.? So, not transferring but applying as a first year.</p>

<p>I did poorly in High School. I took 4 AP classes, and only got college credit for one class, AP Gov(3). I am currently at a community college taking physics 1, calculus 1, and a couple computer classes. </p>

<p>I am wondering what I should be doing to prepare myself for the admissions board? Since I am a college student, am I allowed to take the tests of Advance Placement classes without taking the class? Also, what other classes should I be taking. I assume I should keep advancing myself in English, Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry? Is it a bad idea to get to advanced in another universities computer science program and then apply to another program(oxBridge)?</p>

<p>I understand that I am, currently, under qualified as an applicant to OxBridge(Key word currently). I also understand that you can choose to make a comment everyone already knows and which no one will benefit from. So, please keep the bad comments out of the thread. for the sake of the forum, help me. Others may be extremely fortunate that these questions are answered for them as well. </p>

<p>AC</p>

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<p>First things first: would you be over 21 when you start (I assume you are applying for entry in 2015, as applications for entry in 2014 are closed)? because if so you can apply as a “mature student” which will make the whole process a bit easier. Also, there are colleges within the unis that are for ‘mature’ students, which you might prefer to being in with the mad 18 year olds who would be your fellow first years.</p>

<p>Then read the CS pages (exhaustively) on the Oxford website- it is pretty good, and there are few things more annoying than people asking questions that are easily answered online.</p>

<p>–> Note that they are looking for strong maths above all else, followed by sciences (physics esp, b/c it’s mathy also). They don’t give a toss about english (except that you read and speak it). They won’t be interested in a social sciences AP either.</p>

<p>–> also, look at the courses for first year students, and compare them to what you are taking / planning to take.</p>

<p>Third, contact the Computer Science department at Oxford by email (based on their postings on the student room website, they are really genuinely helpful and encouraging). Tell them that you are applying as a mature student, that you have no standardized test scores from secondary school, but are currently enrolled in a regional college, studying math, physics and computer sciences, and ask what (if any) testing they would require and any other advice they might have.</p>

<p>Good luck</p>

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<p>You need to show you are an excellent student in all the subjects that count. That means perfection in your current maths and science courses. ECs don’t usually count for UK admissions unless they are specifically related to your course of study. Therefore if you have any computer related EC, cultivate this (but not if it leads to neglecting your studies). There must be a reason you want to devote three years of your life to studying only computer science on a tough course (and I hope it’s not because you think it will be easy)! You need to find some way to demonstrate you are extremely academic and focussed, which does not come across from the information you have given us.</p>

<p>There is no concept of transfer. You would have to apply for first year entry. You can usually only apply to Oxford or Cambridge for undergraduate in one year, not both.</p>

<p>Mature (over 21) students and those who have not finished high school often take an access course. This is a one year refresher course in various subjects offered by many UK universities. I don’t know much about these courses but it may be worth researching as completing one would likely increase your chances of admission at any UK uni.</p>

<p>Finally, be aware you are extremely unlikely to get any form of financial aid. The UK business model is that foreign students subsidise the home students.</p>

<p>I recommend you Google the student room for a UK board similar to this.</p>

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<p>I’m not sure an access course is a realistic option for an international student. Most colleges* which offer access courses do not provide student accommodation so you would have to rent a flat privately, I image it would be a very isolating experience. If the OP’s American qualifications are not sufficient for Oxbridge then perhaps consider taking a level 2 or level 3 course with the Open University*.</p>

<p>*In the UK a college isn’t a degree awarding institution; they’re more like big high schools in case anybody was wondering.</p>

<p>*The Open University is a highly respected university which offers courses and full degrees via distance learning, all online.</p>

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<p>The term “college” has many meanings in the UK. Some of them are high schools. Some are universities or parts thereof and can award degrees. There is no fixed meaning other than educational institution.</p>

<p>I never said I was an expert on access courses, but I don’t think you can generalise them all as an isolating experience. I know someone who did one at Bath Spa uni and had accommodation and all. Just trying to think of alternative options to help the OP as in the limited information they have given I do not see the clear evidence of academic ability in computer science that they need for Oxbridge admission.</p>

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<p>People have given you good advice on your other post about the same subject.</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/transfer-students/1580283-applying-cambridge-oxford.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/transfer-students/1580283-applying-cambridge-oxford.html&lt;/a&gt; especially post #5 with specific exams needed. Please don’t neglect cupcake’s remark about NO Financial Aid in post 3 above</p>

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<p>You are getting some very good advice from people who know much more about applying to Oxbridge as a mature student than I do.</p>

<p>But this is what my question is. Obviously, you were not Oxbridge material when you graduated from High School. YOu took 4 AP tests, but your highest score, if I understand correctly, was a single “3”. Cambridge specifically says they need five AP scores of “5” from their U.S. applicants. Oxford says they need three scores of “5”, but it seems in practice they would prefer more. I am wondering whether it really is possible that your time at a community college has completely transformed you from who you were into someone who now is Oxbridge material. Cupcake says you need “perfection” in your current courses, I think practically that means a 4.0 GPA in community college.</p>

<p>KEVP</p>

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<p>Dang, guys… Just realized that the OP is eithe delusional or a ■■■■■. With really low marks, previous posts are asking about Harvard, Stanford, now Oxbridge…don’t know if it’s just to wind us up for a laugh or if it’s b/c misplaced ego, but I say we stop wasting our time.</p>

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<p>Cupcake: I didn’t mean that everyone who does an access course has an isolating experience, my sister did one and loved it (it got her into Cambridge incidentally), but I imagine it would be quite lonely for an international student because as I say most colleges are small and local and do not provide accommodation or any facilities to help students without local support networks.</p>

<p>Some universities offer ‘foundation years’ which are similar to access courses in that they prepare people for university who may not have the right grades, students who take these courses study and live on campus like regular students which is why I think they’re a much better idea than an access course.</p>

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<p>anthony: given your posting history and your current accomplishments, I fear you’ve been listening to very bad advice or just caught up in your own Quixotic journey.</p>

<p>You said you had a 2.8 HS GPA, achieved a 1.2 GPA at Eastern Mich University in one year, dropped out and enrolled part time at U-Michigan Dearborn (not U-Mich AnnArbor). </p>

<p>Recently, you were actively searching out a) how to transfer into Stanford, b) Harvard, c) US Naval Academy (although you were denied out of HS) and now d) Oxford and Cambridge. In HS you were fixated on similar schools including UM, UChgo, NYU, etc. – all arguably out of line with your GPA and ACT comp of 23.</p>

<p>When previously challenged about your direction, you replied “I never give up” or something to that effect. In general, that’s a good spirit to have – given that it’s mated with a modicum of reality. You seem to fail to see that none of those institutions has any incentive to risk accepting you. You should start with achievable small steps. A great one would be to crank out a +3.0GPA at your courses at UM Dearborn and perhaps enroll full time next semester.</p>

<p>As I understand it, you’ve not had a single good semester in College to date. Hopefully, you’re in the midst of one now and can duplicate it in the future.</p>

<p>As for “shooting for the stars”, which seems to be your incessant bent, perhaps you should note that among the many posts where you inquire, no one says “go for it” once you reveal your academics. </p>

<p>This isn’t to be mean or elitist. I would say it’s a recognition of the miniscule chances of transferring/enrolling in the suite of colleges you’re fixated with and the fact that you’ve not yet demonstrated any academic excellence to date. Indeed, your attitude has brought name-calling to you.</p>

<p>Sincerely, please focus on your achievable tasks at hand. Good luck to you.</p>

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<h1>1 You CAN’T transfer to Oxford. Not possible. They say this explicitly online.</h1>

<h1>2 Even if you applied to start over from the beginning, if they found out you were applying whilst being at a university, it would constitute an instant rejection. It’s simply not allowed. I mean, you could try to hide it, but if you started lying to them, that would be really bad. I’ve heard cases of students who made it to the interview stage only to let slip the fact that they were at another college - they were then told by the tutor doing the interview that they couldn’t be accepted. The exception is when you’re switching subjects to be studied; even then, it’s very tricky.</h1>

<h1>3 It seems you don’t even meet minimum requirements anyway so the point is moot.</h1>

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<p>What the hell are you talking about? No it wouldn’t. People apply to Oxford/Cambridge whilst at another university ALL the time. You can apply for a different subject or the same subject, it is allowed… why wouldn’t it be?!</p>

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<p>In my personal experience at least 50% of US students studying in the UK completed a year at a US college first. In other words they applied while enrolled in a US college. UK unis sometimes prefer it as they perceive US high school as too easy. </p>

<p>You can always apply to start in the first year of any UK uni anyway. There is no real concept of transfer. You may start again with a clean slate at any time.</p>

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<p>Oxford and Cambridge universities hold a special place in many people’s imagination.If you want to apply to Cambridge, the process is much the same as that for other universities.</p>

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<p>Yes jahangeer, anyone can apply to Oxford or Cambridge, just like any other university. But to actually get in, you need to meet their very high requirements. That’s what the OP doesn’t seem to understand.</p>

<p>KEVP</p>

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<p>Well my journey to the University of Oxford has come to an end. I applied to read PPE at Brasenose, took the TSA and with SAT’s of 2200 and SAT subject tests of 800 x 2 and 5 AP’s for Senior year in addition to 1 AP 5 already, unfortunately, they did not call me for interview. So with that my hope for an Oxford undergrad ends. That said maybe the UK for Law school or the LSE for Grad studies, for now I’m going to focus on my CA and my US College choices, thanks for all the advise everyone and good luck to all.</p>

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<p>Sorry to hear it Englishman…good luck with US undergrad and here’s hoping the UK works for you for grad school. Thanks for letting us know.</p>

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<p>. . . you could always take a year off and try again . . .</p>

<p>Jus’ saying.</p>