Chance Me: Oxford

Colleges and Universities A-Z Emory University
1

<p>I Early Decisioned II to Oxford College.</p>

<p>GPA
[ul][<em>]3.49/4 - Unweighted
[</em>]3.62/4 - Weighted
[<em>] 3.28 - Oxford Recalculated</em>[/ul]</p>

<p>*Oxford recalculates GPA's based on a letter-grade system. Since my school uses the number system, my GPA fell considerably. </p>

<p>My GPA takes into account 3 A.P. classes & various honors classes.</p>

<p>SAT
Reading
[ul][<em>]570[/ul]
Math
[ul][</em>]610[/ul]
Writing*
[ul][li]580[/ul]</p>[/li]
<p>*On their website it says the Writing section is used for research purposes only. It's there so I assume it's going to be looked at.</p>

<p>The mean SAT scores, according to their 2012 profile:
Admission
6,560 Applications
41% Total acceptance rate </p>

<p>Admitted First-Year Class Statistics
GPA (25th-75th percentile) 3.5-3.92
SAT Critical Reading Range (25th - 75th Percentile) 600-700
SAT Math Range (25th - 75th Percentile) 620-750
SAT Writing Range (25th - 75th Percentile) 610-720</p>

<p>Extraneous information:
I listed my SAT II scores, but didn't send an official copy as it's not required.
My AP's, ditto ^.</p>

<p>This year I'm taking 3 A.P. courses, English Language, Government, and Economics. </p>

<p>I'm pretty heavy on Extracurriculars. Compared to others I've read here, I'm loaded per se. No sports, but out of school I've participated in them. I'm President of the Chess Club, founded a Charity, Science Olympiad State team member (1st place trophy in Robotics), Debate team (1 trophy), member of about 5-6 other clubs, Swimming award (3rd place) for NYS freestyle, 385 Community Service hours, 'big' member of the local community center, upcoming research publication and various jobs (about 6+).</p>

<p>I wrote what I consider to be a good supplement, trying to incorporate my 'spirited' ways into the essay. My college essay was good to me, but not sure how others would perceive it. I spent approximately 20+ combined hours on the supplement so that should add to how 'good' it was.</p>

<p>So yeah, chance me!</p>

2

<p>On the scale of “Reach, Match, Safety,” you’re “Reach.” GPA and SAT are the most important factors, and you’re on the lower end for both of those. I’d say you have about 25% chance of being admitted considering all of your information.</p>

<p>You’re the president of the Chess Club. Do you have a USCF rating?</p>

3

<p>Thanks for your honest feedback. This school happens to be my number one choice, but because of the hurricane earlier this year I couldn’t apply most places. </p>

<p>As of now, I don’t have a rating.</p>

4

<p>You’re welcome. I would have an English teacher proof-read your essay, as well as your good friends–as many people as possible that won’t be biased. You don’t want anyone trying to edit it to the point of negatively affecting your real voice in the essay in any way, because that’s one of the qualities that’s unique about you that no one else has. Don’t lose it; make it shine.</p>

<p>Also, remember that Oxford cares about your extracurriculars, and yours are pretty good.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

5

<p>As a disclaimer, Oxford’s admissions statistics have changed quite radically in each of the last three years due to its small size and because it hasn’t reached an application plateau like most other schools of its kind. As a result, chances are just a guess based largely on last year. However, I would expect this years admissions process to be more competitive than last, a trend that should continue into the foreseeable future. </p>

<p>If my memory serves me correctly, we went 68% acceptance (entered 2010) to 45% (entered 2011) to 41% (entered 2012). Last year was also the first year with early decision.</p>

<p>Statistically, you are below the 25th percentile of admitted students in both GPA and SAT scores. What were the SAT II/AP scores that you listed? If you were successful there, that might help convince them you are prepared for the coursework at Oxford.</p>

<p>I wish you luck. Try not too set your hopes too high (I know it’s hard as an ED applicant), but also don’t count yourself entirely out. Oxford is a bit more free to admit applicants it feels are good fits, but may look less amazing on paper. Be sure to apply to a reasonable set of other schools, however, including academic/financial safeties, matches, and reaches.</p>

6

<p>Oxford is my number choice, and for me tuition is being paid in full by my father. </p>

<p>The SAT II scores were all in the 600’s, two of them being high 600s (Biology M, and US History). The AP Scores were all 4s and one was a 5. </p>

<p>The classes however, received bad grades. One was a 79 (sophomore year) and junior year one was an 81 and other was an 86. I excelled on the AP Exam because compared to the class work that was a complete joke. </p>

<p>Thanks, I’m really hoping I can get in. My essay wasn’t proof-read by an English teacher, never occurred to me to ask my teacher. My resume is quite extensive, I hope the grades and SAT scores can be looked passed. Looking at the Oxford mean, I fall 40 points (Math + CR) under, and GPA wise I may have calculated wrong, but should be in that ballpark. </p>

<p>I’ve been in touch with the admissions counselors at Oxford. Does that play an important role?</p>

7

<p>The AP Scores will help, but your performance in the AP classes, your overall GPA, and your SAT scores will be tough to overcome. The admissions site states the your GPA and the strength of your curriculum are most important factors in your application.</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>Is this in a peer-reviewed journal?</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>I may be misreading this, but your math+cr scores are 40 points under the 25th percentile. That is, were they higher combined by a total of 40 points, your score would be higher than 1/4th of those who were admitted, but lower than 3/4th of those admitted. You’re 155 points below the mean math/cr. Again, this does mean that just less than 1 out of every 4 students at Oxford had a score equal to yours or lower, so it’s not like you don’t have a chance, but I would definitely think of Oxford as a reach.</p>

<p>I would definitely make sure you recalculated your GPA correctly, though the average GPA of admitted students last year was a recalculated 3.71.</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>Both Emory College of Arts and Sciences and Oxford College consider demonstrated interest. Demonstrated interest does include contact with admissions counselors, alumni, current students, campus visits, and the like. </p>

<p>Of course, the first determination that will be made is whether you’re academically prepared and competitive (i.e., grades & test scores). Then they’ll consider both what you can contribute inside and outside the classroom (as evidenced by recommendations, extracurriculars, essays, etc.), and finally whether or not there’s a good fit (e.g., essays, demonstrated interest, recommendations).</p>

8

<p>Thanks for the elaborate response!</p>

<p>If I were to take the SAT again in January, that would be too late? Also, admissions makes ‘cut offs’ based on grades? </p>

<p>Since I took a vigorous course load, will that be taken into account?</p>

9

<p>And the publication is most probably going to be published in Nature.</p>

10

<p>

</p>

<p>I think that January would be too late because score reports would be sent after ED II decisions are out. I don’t think that admissions makes “cut offs” based on grades; I don’t think they have so many applications to need to do that. However, grades are a large portion of the consideration of your application.</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>I feel like I’m being a bit mean in this thread, but I feel like I owe it to you to give my honest opinion. I feel like you might be overestimating the rigor–or how others will perceive the rigor–of your course load compared to other applicants. </p>

<p>

</p>

<p>That would certainly be impressive, but it might not do much for your application if the article hasn’t been definitely accepted for publication.</p>

11

<p>Thanks for the honest feedback. I most truly appreciate it. </p>

<p>My essay and supplements were well thought out. Will that help?</p>

12

<p>Yes it will, but remember, you NEED at least two safeties. These are schools that you know you can get into, and afford. If your father is willing to pay full fare at Oxford, that negates the whole finance issue. </p>

<p>To find out your safeties, find a school THAT YOU LIKE where your gpa and sats put you at the top of the applicant pool. If you like Oxford, perhaps you’d like a larger LAC. </p>

<p>Apply to Oxford, see what happens, but also prepare you apps for a few other schools.</p>

13

<p>I made a small error with my supplement when I submitted it on the Common App. I emailed the admissions email listed on the bottom of the supplement with the proposed changes. </p>

<p>Will that reflect poorly on my application? It was word changes in my supplement and one or two grammatical errors which I swore I corrected, but apparently didn’t.</p>

14

<p>TheBucket, let me remind you that none of us are admissions officers. We truly don’t know. That being said, for selective schools with no auto admission for students above a certain GPA/SAT cutoff, it’s helpful to look at the middle 50% GPA/SAT or ACT. </p>

<p>Since you fall below that bottom 25% what’s your safety? Is it a community college or something else? Application deadlines are coming up. There are plenty of schools which will accept someone with your stats, many of which offer excellent educations. If you haven’t prepared applications for those schools, prepare them NOW.</p>

<p>Do you need help finding a school? If so, what is it that attracts you to Oxford? Would you be comfortable with a LAC or bigger school? If so, how big or small? Would you like it to be in an urban/suburban/rural environment? Any regions (Georgia, Southeast, coasts, etc) or are you fine with the entire country? Anything else you’d like in a school?</p>

15

<p>I feel as though Oxford is just perfect. </p>

<p>I appreciate your concern, and as much as it disheartens me to say, if I don’t get into Oxford, Ill apply to a local community college that has no deadline.</p>

16

<p>Ok. While I respect community colleges and have a couple family members that teach at them, as well as a ton of friends who attend them, you might want to read this (copied from another thread)</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>Basically you can apply to other schools RD, but if accepted to Oxford, you must withdraw your applications by contacting the schools and telling them you’re no longer interested.</p>

17

<p>Right, I understand that part.</p>

<p>Oxford is my dream school though. When I visited, I just fell in love.</p>

18

<p>

</p>

<p>Why? If you’re not accepted at Oxford, you’re going to need to attend a four-year institution eventually, and it sounds like you have the money for it. For selective institutions, the transfer process can be worse than freshman admissions (note that Oxford does not accept transfer students).</p>

19

<p>I really just love Oxford. As much as I enjoyed Emory, I just found Oxford to be more pleasing; the tight knit community, the atmosphere…all matched my personality. Alot of people mentioned they didn’t like it for its rural setting, but that’s what attracts me. Not only that, but Oxford just gave me that perfect feeling. </p>

<p>I really hope I can attend Oxford. The community college is my last resort.</p>

20

<p>Do you think it helps that I’m willing to paying full tuition? I saw in another thread you mentioned that Emory is furthering itself from the need blind status they currently have.</p>

<p>It’s a side factor though; I’m hoping I get admitted for the person I am and not for the money my family has.</p>