<p>I was wondering if anyone could tell me which school cared more about your transcript (course grades) and which cared more about testing (AP, SATII, SATI). It appears that Oxford doesn't even ask for a transcript on its application, while Cambridge does (of American applicants, that is).</p>
<p>In general, which has a more competitive Oriental Studies programme?</p>
<p>PLEASE, help. I am confused and the applications are due soon.</p>
<p>I'm an PhD student at Oxford and was an undergrad at Cambridge. They're almost exactly the same. Or at least more similar to each other tahn either is to any other school. The deadline for application if you want an interview in the US has already passed, whereas if your are an oversees student who wants to interview in Oxford I think the deadline is still 1st October, so you will have to work quickly. Only two days from the application deadline and you haven't even decided which one to apply to? Is it even worth doing the paperwork if you are this unprepared?</p>
<p>[cupcake] tell me do you like Oxford or Cambridge more and why? :) coz I can't decide....</p>
<p>There are things I like about Oxford and things I like about Cambridge. Cambridge is a much smaller town, has fewer tourists and is less crowded (both are traffic hell though! Especially today. It's the first day of term and there are lost new undergrads and their parents driving/wandering everywhere). I was a quiet and shy person at 18 which is one of the reasons why I chose it. If you would prefer and bigger and more lively place, choose Oxford. Cambridge is better from undergraduate accommodation since it is provided for neaqrly everyone for all 3 years. In Oxford you will have to "live out" (rent privately) for at least one year, and this is MUCH more expensive because you have to pay rent for the full calendar year, not just 8 week terms. But some people prefer to live in a proper house rather than in college "halls" (you will get a single room though. Everyone does in the UK. The thought of sharing a room with a complete stranger is met with gasps of horror).</p>
<p>Re-reading my first post in this thread it seems a bit harsh! I was trying to say you need to be well-prepared to get through an Oxbridge interview, and if you still don't know which you would prefer only hours from the deadline, I think it's unlikely you'll make it.</p>
<p>well, thanks for the info cupcake.</p>
<p>fyi the deadline is october 15, and the international interviews were not a possibility for me, as the closest was 300 miles away. This is totally OK according to the Oxford website, the college will contact me to interview later on if they wish. </p>
<p>Also, I've been in contact with the Oriental Studies director from Cambridge and what she told me about that program there made the Oxford program much more attractive, and that's where I'll be applying. Moreover, my UCAS application is almost complete and the Oxford supplement is just a brief 2 page addendum anyway.</p>