Hey guys, I kinda want to know if there is a possibility of me getting into Oxford. My background could sound weird: I am a HongKong citizen currently studying in a US high school and planning to apply to UK schools. I want to apply for the Biology Course.
Here are my tests results and my GPA at school:
SAT1: 1540
Writing & Reading: 770
Math: 770
Essay: 6+5+6=17
APs:
Sophomore Year: AP Calculus AB - 5
Junior Year: AP Calculus BC - 5; AP Chemistry - 5; AP Biology - 4 (I was expected to get a 5 but did disastrously during the test, will take it again in senior year to get a 5)
Senior Year: AP Stats (School Projection:5) AP Physics C (School Projection: 5 on both E&M and Mechanics)
Our school does not allow us to take AP humanities, hence only the STEMs
SATII:
Math II - 800
Biology M - 800 / Biology E - (Projection: 790-800)
Chemistry - (Projection: 780-800)
Physics - (Projection: 750-800)
GPA:
3.79 out of 4 unweighted currently (4.11 weighted)
I have competed in International Genetics Engineering Machine (iGEM) and Neuroscience Research Prize. I want to see if UK schools are for me, and if I even have a shot at the most prestigious university in the world. If you guys have tips for me, it would be very much appreciated! Thank you guys so much!
Aside from wanting to go to a prestigious university, how much homework have you done about Oxford?
When you say that you want to see if UK schools are “for” you, what do you mean?
Well, I’ve certainly looked into the college housing system of Oxford, and know that the the college is not single campus, rather spread around in the entirety of oxford. I also know that the system is drastically different than America, as mostly it will be courses instead of classes and that the teachers are tutors giving out tutorials/supervisions rather than professors in a hundred people lecture room. I’ve looked into Cambridge, ICL and UCL. I was most interested coming across Cambridge and Oxford because of their unique college settings and courses.
I think when I meant “for” me, I was more thinking about if I will fit in the school nicely. Knowing some friends at Oxford, Cambridge and UCL and seeing them having the best time of their lives, I am curious to learn more about UK and its culture. I cannot deny the fact that I do want to be a part of a prestigious school, but I am more fond of what I can give to the school, and how I can enjoy my college life while gainning invaluable knowledge on the way.
Most of your stats are superb. It is a pity about the 4 being in the subject that you are applying for, but re-sits for A levels are allowed so a re-sit for an AP is not on the face of it a deal breaker.
The colleges are more than a housing system- you will have tutorials and lectures in college as well (btw, there are lectures, though, at all of those schools).
Everybody can love the shiny outside, but keep researching and learning b/c the UK system, and Oxbridge in particular are not for everybody- there are plenty of super smart, high achievers that the UK approach does not suit.
Thank you very much for your comment! I realized that I have to research more on the inside of the schools and discover if the school is right for me. If I have time, I will definitely pay a visit to these schools. Thanks again!