Chance me for Oxford?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi, I am currently a junior at Stuyvesant in NYC and I wanted to ask the community if I would be a strong choice to be accepted into the University of Oxford. I have heard that British colleges tend not to look at GPA, so I won't bother listing it.</p>

<p>ACT: 35 (33, 36, 36, 33)</p>

<p>SAT II:
Math I: 750
Biology: 760
Chemistry: 770
World History: 800</p>

<p>Will be taking:
US History
Physics
Math II</p>

<p>AP:
Chemistry (self-study): 5
World History: 4</p>

<p>Currently taking (expected score in brackets):
Psychology [5]
Statistics [5]
English Language [5]
US History [5]</p>

<p>Will be taking:
Macro/Microeconomics
Gov/Com Gov
Calc BC</p>

<p>Extra Curriculars (not counted for much but I thought I would list the seemingly relevant ones):
Student Union IT (web design and server side programming)
Student Newspaper Web Editor
Secretary of Science Olympiad</p>

<p>Worked in bio lab in a small college called Wilkes-Barre last summer, on the effects of hydraulic fracturing near the Susquehanna to the physiology of the indigenous avian population. </p>

<p>I have been taking Spanish and German for 3 and 2 years in high school, respectably. I was raised in China, so I can speak Mandarin fluently.</p>

<p>In senior year, I plan on taking systems level programs (course after one usually takes after AP comsci, which can be circumvented by speaking with the Assistant Principle of Technology), college level organic chemistry, and genetics (which many of my peers say is based on the graduate course the teacher taught at Harvard).</p>

<p>At school I took the most rigorous classes available (and will be next year). What chance do I have of getting into Oxford or University College London? And let me know if there's anything I could do to improve my chances! If you could also inform me on which college (in the university) I should apply to it will be greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>You can find the admissions minimums for US applicants on Oxford’s website - I believe you’ve met that for your scores. You need to apply to read for a specific subject, and there are prerequisites for each - you can find a table for that on their website as well.</p>

<p>As for ECs, the only ones that will matter are the ones that specifically relate to the subject you are applying to, that demonstrate your passion and commitment.
Admissions will then depend on the strength of your overall picture, the strength of your teacher recommendations, your personal statement, the results of your admissions test and/or submitted work (depending on the subject) and if then invited, on your performance in your interview (not like US interviews - here you will be interviewed by your professors on your subject.)
As for which college, they all have their own personality. Not all subjects are taught in all colleges so that will be the first place to start. Take some time studying the websites for each one, and the alternative prospectus for each. Look at the interests of the tutors in your subject and see if they fit yours. Consider size, varying meal plans, and college facilities.</p>

3

<p>What course are you applying for?</p>

4

<p>It totally depends on the course. You will need to look that up on Oxford’s website. Also, you can email the admissions officers who are very nice and respond quickly. Oxford’s entrance requirements are similar to Cambridge (I looked into applying there) which generally requires a minimum of five 5s on AP tests in addition to high 700s on all your SATs.
Your extracurriculars need to match your course - that’s extremely important. If they don’t, I suggest taking a gap year to do something that relates to what you want to study and mentioning it in your personal statement.
If you want to go to England, there are some other good schools you should look into as well (you can apply to up to 5 schools for the same price and no additional work) like Durham.</p>

5

<p>

I think academics matter more than extracurriculars. I wouldn’t suggest doing a gap year JUST to do something related to your course.</p>

6

<p>Wow, thanks for the quick responses. I thought I wrote the courses I’m interested in, but I guess not.
I’m thinking about applying for Experimental Psychology (I just need need to sign up for the TSA Oxford exam), Chemistry (or BioChem), and Computer Science. </p>

<p>However, I am conused as to whthere i am allowed to study for all three, or choose only 1. </p>

<p>on [International</a> students | University of Oxford Department of Physics](<a href=“Undergraduates | University of Oxford Department of Physics”>Undergraduates | University of Oxford Department of Physics), it says “Students apply for a 3 or 4 year degree in 1-3 subjects”</p>

<p>but at [UCAS</a> - Can I apply to the same university or college for more than one course?](<a href=“http://www.ucas.com/students/applying/faqs/completeapplication/faq2]UCAS”>http://www.ucas.com/students/applying/faqs/completeapplication/faq2)
it says “you can only apply to one of the universities and for only one course”</p>

7

<p>Unless the first link meant predefined 2 and 3 subject courses like “Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics” and “Engineering, Economics and Management”</p>

8

<p>You can only apply to one course of study. There are some programs that are joint (Mathematics and Philosophy for example) and some that are 3 subjects (PPE- Politics, Philosophy and Economics)
You can find the listing of courses here: </p>

<p>[Introducing</a> our courses - University of Oxford](<a href=“http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate_courses/courses/index.html]Introducing”>http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate_courses/courses/index.html)</p>

<p>You must pick one of the listed.</p>

<p>Given that you have a range of interests and are undecided, Oxford may not be a good fit for you. You will only take courses in that specific area of study and will have no choice to study anything else.</p>

9

<p>Darn. I guess I’ll apply for Psychology, Philosophy & Linguistics. Thanks guys.</p>

10

<p>I went to an Oxford seminar and have also visited Oxford… they take the very best of the best. Academics will get you only halfway there, you’ll have to interview as well. It’s a stretch for everyone.</p>

11

<p>It is almost impossible for an American to get into Oxford.</p>

<p>No harm in trying though.</p>

<p>You might consider London School of Economics-----easier to get in, but only slightly.</p>

12

<p>I was looking at my school’s college admission statistics from the last 2 years, and 2 out of the 7 that applied got in, so I’m going to try my luck :P</p>

13

<p>I think your scores qualify you to get an interview. I’ve heard the interview is not easy.
[BBC</a> News - Oxford University reveals interview questions](<a href=“http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-11575163]BBC”>Oxford University reveals interview questions - BBC News)
Google some of the youtube for Oxford interview.</p>

14

<p>scores are only the minimum requirements for application. It’s only the floor. Interviews are offered based on entrance examinations, works submitted, the strength of your personal statement and your recommendations. It depends quite a bit on your course of study as well.</p>

<p>good luck!</p>

15

<p>Read the UK forum
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/united-kingdom/1283896-chance-get-into-oxford-university-college-london.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/united-kingdom/1283896-chance-get-into-oxford-university-college-london.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

16

<p>You will probably have to take the TSA. I’m going to tell you in advance that the window for registration of the TSA is VERY SHORT so you have to keep a lookout for it. </p>

<p>What I would do is to set a reminder on my email account so an email gets sent when registration starts.</p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>

17

<p>You definitely have a solid chance. I know a couple of Americans who attend Oxford and they both had lower scores than you. Admissions is based on a) your scores and b) the interview. With those scores, you’ll probably get an interview (but this depends on whether you apply to an easier course at an easier college or not). In the interview, what matters is that you’re able to come across as a solid thinker and, especially, that you show a v. strong passion and aptitude for your subject. </p>

<p>Oxford is a wonderful school. Good luck!</p>