<p>Hey all, I would really appreciate a quick chance to Oxford (the university in England). I want to study PPE (philosophy, political science, economics).
I'm a junior now, and here are my test scores etc:
AP Bio 5
AP World 5 (self studied)
SAT II for Bio, World, 800
GPA Unweighted is about 3.7
Weighted is about 4.2</p>
<p>This year I'm taking APUSH and AP Chem, and I am self studying for AP Human Geo
Next year I'm taking AP Calc (AB), AP Physics (AB), AP French, and AP Econ.
Haven't taken SAT officially, but my practices scores indicate about 720 on both reading and writing, and closer to a 750-60 on math.
I do debate and mock trial, and I have a bunch of leadership credentials in my community.
I know it's not a lot to work with but could you give me a preliminary chance? Thanks.</p>
<p>Oxford, Cambridge, University College London, London School of Economics and Imperial College London compose the “Golden Triangle” (but the final end of the Triangle is actually ICL+UCL+LSE) and, as such, is the British equivalent of the Ivy League, with its associated selectivity for international students.</p>
<p>As a result, I have no choice but to say that it is a reach.</p>
<p>Go for it. If you can keep your scores really high, they will probably end up picking you. But isn’t it a little late, considering that the Oxbridge application is due on the 15th? You will have to rush to get your personal statement done which NEEDS to be insanely amazing. Why don’t you apply to LSE as well? It’s amazing.</p>
<p>For Oxford it’s hard to tell. From what I understand, their admissions process is very different from U.S. universities-- you need to declare what you intend to “read” (your major) when you apply, and they only look at your grades in classes relevant to that subject. For example, if you were planning on being a History major, they would probably pay more attention to your English and Social Science grades; your math and science grades wouldn’t matter much. Your test scores matter a lot, and they like to have at least 3 scores of 5 on AP tests relevant to your major and/or high scores on relevant SAT IIs, as well as ACT or SAT scores. Your 5 in AP Bio is impressive, but if you intend to go into social science, it might not hold as much weight as a 5 on a more relevant test. What are your grades in your history classes?</p>
<p>Get 5s on all your APs, especially those that pertain to PPE. Show excellent writing skills in your personal statement, and sell yourself well. Get a very good recommendation. Remember you need three SAT IIs. You will probably get an interview, and your interview skills - that is, your ability to be yourself and express yourself well - will be crucial here. Keep in mind that PPE is among the most competitive courses. If you REALLY want to get in, apply to an easy college, like St. Hilda’s or St. Hugh’s - this will make it a bit easier. Good luck.</p>
<p>Another thing to add about the interview: they won’t be asking you the generic college interview questions, i.e. “why do you want to go to this school,” “what do you do in your free time,” etc. They will ask you specific questions about what you plan to study there, so you need to make sure you can discuss your subject eloquently.</p>
<p>@inaweoflacs - good info except one should clarify the part about applying to what you called an “easy” college. I think you meant a college that receives fewer applications-per-place-available (e.g. Keble verses Christ Church). But to call one college “easier” than another could be taken to be a statement about relative academic quality, which is in fact the same high-quality throughout Oxford’s colleges.</p>
<p>Yes, history would count as a relevant subject. But the subject you definitely must have is maths, or whatever in AP terms shows a clear level of competence. I haven’t re-checked the Oxford website but I think maths is listed as a requirement; it’s to show that you can cope with the economics part of the course. It would no doubt be helpful for Logic as well. Philosophy or politics qualifications are not essential as many undergraduates will be studying them ab initio. When it comes to interview they will have plenty of experience of testing how you deal with philosophical concepts without you needing to expound the relative merits of Hegel and Bertrand Russell.</p>