Chance for Oxford lol?

<p>I know I probably have no shot, especially since I'm a US resident but after looking at how Oxfords school system works, the architecture, etc I'm in love. I'd choose it over Harvard in a second, that's how much I like it. </p>

<p>UnWeighted GPA: 3.90
Weighted GPA: 4.43
Rank: Top 10% (specifically, I'm about number 13-14 in my school)
SAT: 2010 (re-taking in Dec and confident I can do well over 2100)
SAT II: Taking Chem, Math I/II (haven't decided yet) and think I can score above a 700 on both.
ACT: 32
ECs: National Honors Society (Vice-President), National Science Honors Society, 100 hours volunteer work at Arnold Palmer Hospital, National BETA Club.
APs: Human Geo (4), World History (4), US History (4), Chemistry (5), Physics (4), Statistics (3), Lang and Comp (4), Psychology (5), American Government (4).
Others: NMSF, National Hispanic Scholar, Ventures Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction (will most likely be National by end of Senior year) low-income bracket, Florida resident, big upward trend in GPA from freshman year up.</p>

<p>Also, I'm taking Experimental Science and I will hopefully win some kind of an award or get published for my research, but nothing is definite yet. </p>

<p>Also if anyone knows anything about their need-based aid for international students, I'd appreciate some input. The only scholarship for ints. that I could find was for if you're a Rhodes Scholar and that isn't likely to happen lol.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>U.S. schools are unique from the rest of the world (including the UK) in that they give a crap about ECs. Unless your ECs are directly related to the course you choose (major), they don’t even want to hear about it. Oxford isn’t concerned with your GPA either, but they do care about your SAT. You NEED to have CR, writing, and math at least 700. Without that, don’t even bother applying. You also NEED 3 APs with 5s on each one, OR 3 SATIIs at least 700 on each one. The SATIIs and APs should be related to the course you choose. You’ll have to do an interview, and may have to do more testing depending on your course.</p>

<p>I’d like to know what kind of course you’ll be signing up for. Most courses are fairly selective (20% acceptance), a couple aren’t (classics for example), and some are extremely selective (biomed for example). Also, most sciences would be off limits to any american student, as consequence of the U.S. education system, american students are at a disadvantage compared to a UK student. Not impossible, but definitely more competitive than a social science for example.</p>

<p>I assume you’re a junior, since the app. deadline for Oxford is in October.</p>

<p>I’m aware of all the requirements but thank you. Yes, i am a junior. I wasn’t aware of th restrictions on American students. I would want to study undergrad medicine (either clinical or preclinical). I’m guessing there would be restrictions on that though. It’s just that the prospect of jumping right into medicine after high school is so exciting to me.</p>

<p>Honestly, your chances of getting in to medicine (6 year undergraduate course in the UK) as an international student are very, very low. In the UK there is a quota of home students which has to be filled before any international students are admitted. This means 5-7 foreign medical students are admitted to Oxford each year. I’ve never met a Us medical student studying in the UK. However, I am sure someone on this board was admitted last year (search the study abroad forums to find who it was) so it is possible.</p>

<p>I think all US students are hindered by the fact the that US high school math and science is perceived as weak. In your case, the only relevant APs you are doing are Chemistry, Physics and Statistics. The other APs will be ignored. To realistically have a chance of Oxford admission, you need to do at least 3 more relevant subjects and get 5s. eg Bio and as much math as you can manage such as calc and algebra.</p>

<p>This is one case where on particular EC does matter. Most UK medical students have a LOT of work experience prior to application. So that hospital volunteering is really important. Do more.</p>

<p>There is basically zero financial aid for foreign undergraduates in the UK (that’s why you can’t find any info on it. It doesn’t exist). You pay to fund the home students. That’s the way it works.</p>

<p>Sorry to sound negative. By all means apply, but understand that the odds are against you just because or the quota, which is out of your control. Do NOT start dropping APs/ECs for a slim chance at Oxford and jeopardise your chances at US schools.</p>

<p>Well, I go to Harvard, the best school in the world so I’m going to weigh in. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?! You need maybe a 2500 on the SAT to get into Oxford. Here is my advice for the SATs, you should know that you get 200 points for writing your name. Thus to maximize your score write your name as many times as possible. Second, everyone knows every right answer in the math 5th section is C. Keeping this in mind I don’t see how not getting at least a 2750 is not possible.</p>

<p>"Last edited by igo2harvard; Today at 03:44 PM. Reason: grammar "
I love you.</p>