Hey guys, I would really appreciate it if someone could give me my chances of getting into Oxford and/or recommend me some other good schools in the UK. I’m an American female if that matters. I’ll be applying to their CompSci program.
Someone else posted that they really don’t care about anything other than ACT and AP scores, so that’s all I’ll be posting, but if y’all want any other info, just ask.
ACT:
Math - 35
Science - 35
English - 36
Reading - 36
Writing - 10
SAT II:
Math II - 780
Biology (E) - 760
Literature (E) - 750
APs:
Freshman Year
World History (self-studied) - 3
Sophomore Year
Biology - 4
AB Calculus - 3
United States Government and Politics - 5
Junior Year
Art History (self-studied) - 3
Computer Science Principles (self-studied) - 4
English Language and Composition - 5
Environmental Science - 4
Statistics - 4
United States History - 4
Also, I interned at NASA, which is what I’m going to be writing about if there are any essays.
Thank you for reading, and any advice is appreciated! If you can recommend some US schools that you think I can get into with these stats, I would love y’all forever.
I don’t like being negative, but I don’t think it’s a runner. The minimum requirement is 3 5’s in relevant APs, to include math (Calc BC). Further, even with a predicted 5, an achieved 3 in AB and 4 in Computer Principles are probably deal breakers. Finally, you would also have to do well on the Math Aptitude Test (MAT). Take a look at last year’s test: http://www.ox.ac.uk/sites/files/oxford/field/field_document/MAT%202018.pdf
Comp Sci students do problems 1, 2, 5, 6, 7.
I don’t know of any strong CompSci program in the UK that won’t want a 5 in Calc BC. Maybe Cardiff? York might take a 4?
What did you do in NAtSA? If it’s aerospace, try Purdue. They love space kids and have a pretty good CS program. It’s also a better chance than Oxford.
@helix8, I am all for encouraging students, but the OP’s test scores are not good for Oxford.
Oxford requires three AP scores of ‘5’ in a subjects that are relevant to the course you are applying to study. The OP is applying for Computer Science, for which a 5 in Calc BC is required; the other 2 5’s would then be expected from related subjects (such as physics or other quant courses). The OP does have 2 5’s- but they are in humanities courses which are completely irrelevant to Comp Sci. When the admissions tutors look at the OPs achieved marks they will see a 3 in Calc AB and are likely to dismiss the application at that point, b/c a student whose math skills are strong enough for CompSci at Oxford would be expected to have gotten a 5. And all that is before the OP takes the MAT which is the make-or-break test for getting an interview offer, and the interview is in turn make-or-break for getting the offer of a place.
I am guessing that you are not familiar with the UK system, but it is much more test and subject based than the US.
I’m guessing the user was posting for the sake of posting to get to 15 posts, since all posts were made in a 30 minute window. But yeah, I’m in agreement with @collegemom3717
If you’re going to throw in a UCAS application for UK schools, then consider Kings College London (KCL). They take a lot of American students. But we warned that you probably won’t get any financial aid.
Honestly, I would say that while you’re a little lacking right now, you have time to become a fairly good candidate - IF you do well on their admission test and the interview (if you are shortlisted). Your ACT looks good. You just need to be above a 32 composite, and you definitely have that. If I were you, I’d see if I could sign up to take a SAT II math/science test that you haven’t taken yet. I don’t know if others have said this, but on the official Oxford site, they require EITHER 3 relevant AP tests with scores of 5s OR 3 relevant SAT II tests with scores of a 700+, in addition to a 32+ on the ACT. Then after that, I’ve heard that you must do well on the other requirements (I.e. personal statement, admission test, interview, recommendations). Either way, try visiting Oxford’s site… there are a lot of answers to many different questions there. I also agree with others who’ve said that Oxford holds tests and standardized exams in higher regard than American universities.
