Applying to Oxford

Applying to College
1

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I will be applying to Oxford this fall, and I have a question. Will a few low APs hurt my chances of admission? I have studied all summer for the ACT, SAT I, and SAT IIs, so I hope to score very high on those. I scored a 5 in AP biology and a 6 in IB chemistry, but I scored a 3 in AP US History and a 2 in AP English Language/Composition. I think the 2 was because my teacher really didn't teach at all. I seriously almost went to the wrong AP examination because all we did was Literature and Composition, no language. I have a 3.9 GPA (unweighted) and 4.2 (weighted).</p>

<p>So, can I simply never report my low AP scores or any at all? Here (International</a> Qualifications - University of Oxford) it says:</p>

<p>SAT Reasoning Test with at least 1,400 in Critical Reading and Mathematics and preferably also 700 or more in Writing, giving a combined score of at least 2,100
OR
<em>ACT with a score of at least 32 out of 36.</em></p>

<p>AND</p>

<p>Grade 5 in three or more Advanced Placement Tests in appropriate subjects
OR
<em>SAT Subject Tests in three appropriate subjects at 700 or better.</em></p>

<p>I will have an ACT above 32 and subject tests above 700, so can I just never mention my AP scores?</p>

<p>Also, what else besides SAT I, SAT IIs, and ACT can I do to help my admission? I hear they don't care much about ECs, only academics. What else can I do?</p>

<p>Any help would be greatly appreciated!</p>

2

<p>I’m not an expert, but I think Oxford puts a great deal in the personal qualities of applicants and that the evaluation process is considerably different than in America.</p>

3

<p>I have read somewhere on CC that, in reality, you need MUCH better qualifications than the basic requirements for Oxbridge. From what I know about Cambridge admission, one will have almost no chance with 32 ACT and 700 SAT2s.</p>

4

<p>

</p>

<p>From here <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/869859-getting-into-oxford-cambridge.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/869859-getting-into-oxford-cambridge.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

5

<p>I understand the importance of test scores, but can I never mention my AP scores and send only amazing ACT, SAT I, and SAT IIs?</p>

6

<p>No, I think you would probably be immediately denied, once they know you deliberately didn’t send them and that it wasn’t an error.</p>

7

<p>I am hoping to get a degree in Chemistry. I got a 5 in AP Bio, and a 3 and 2 in US History and English. Will they somewhat disregard my 3 and 2 because they are non-relating to my major? Would an extremely high SAT or ACT give me a chance?</p>

<p>What can I do, or is my hope gone?</p>

<p>Also, I am a US citizen, so I hear that they will have a financial benefit for accepting me.</p>

8

<p>Any more opinions?</p>

9

<p>It might be clearer to put it this way.</p>

<p>Do you believe that you have a shot a HYPSM with your “academic” records? The practical differences for Oxbridge admission are that 1) they only care about your grades/test scores/major-related ECs, nothing else (sports, leadership, …); 2) they put more weights on major-related grades/scores; and 3) interview is an important component. In some sense, they are similar to CalTech in terms of what they are looking for. </p>

<p>From my observations/knowledge, your current/anticipated scores are low for Oxford.</p>

10

<p>When are you applying to Oxford? From your first post you haven’t taken the ACT, SAT I or any SAT IIs yet and you are a senior.</p>

11

<p>I’ve taken the ACT and SAT I (2,000 CR+M+W). I plan to take SAT IIs (Math 2C, Chemistry and Biology) and retake the ACT and SAT I in the next two months.</p>

<p>Do I have to report my AP scores? I did get a 5 on AP Bio, so can I cancel the others?</p>

12

<p>

</p>

<p>All you have is a 5 in AP biology, since you don’t satisfy that ‘requirement’ I really don’t think you’ll have a chance at Oxford.</p>

13

<p>senior year exam grades count. for exams you haven’t taken yet before applying you just fill in the “predicted” grade. they’ll either reject or make an offer. if your grades aren’t what you predicted them to be, they will probably rescind the offer, and you could go to your 2nd choice (assuming they made an offer)</p>

14

<p>I’m interested in applying to oxbridge and LSE, but I don’t know if I should. My GPA is rather low (between 3.75 and 3.85), but my test scores are fairly good. </p>

<p>I’m taking a “gap year” this year and am applying to colleges during the year. I plan to major in economics or computer science, and have 5’s on AP Macro, AP Micro, AP Calculus BC, AP Statistics, and AP Computer Science. </p>

<p>Here are my test scores:</p>

<p>SAT 1: 2320
SAT II: 800’s on two subjects tests, including Math II
AP: Took 14 AP exams and got fives on almost all of them (my other scores were fours)</p>

15

<p>@FateGoneAwry16</p>

<p>You should be a much stronger candidate than the OP. The Brits trust test scores a lot more so than HYPSM, since they do not believe that all HS school grades are created equal. </p>

<p>Do prepare for the interview. </p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

16

<p>^^LSE doesn’t have a comp sci major</p>

17

<p>I don’t think you are understanding what I am asking. They ask for APs or SAT IIs to be qualified to apply. I believe I will satisfy the second criterion, but not the first. Can I then report only my SAT IIs and not my AP scores?</p>

18

<p>yes. </p>

<p>10char</p>