<p>Freshman: 4.0 unweighted GPA (regular run of the mill classes)</p>
<p>Sophomore: 4.0 UW
AP French Language - 5
AP Calculus AB (self-study) - 5
AP Euro - 5</p>
<p>Junior: 4.0
AP Econ (Micro and Macro) - 5 on both
AP French Lit - 4
AP English Lit - 5
AP Calculus BC -5
AP US History - 5</p>
<p>SATs: 2380 - 800 math and CR, 780 writing
Subject Tests: 800 French (2nd sitting), 790 Math II, 790 US History</p>
<p>Senior Year schedule:
AP Physics
AP English Lang
AP Chinese
Higher Calculus
IR/Game Theory
Senior Thesis
Arts classes (I procrastinated on these)</p>
<p>EC: Tennis all 4 year, skiing quite often
Debate - second semester freshman and all of sophmore year
Math Club - Some local awards
Knowledge Bowl (varsity team starting junior year and we usually get 1st in state)
Robotics (business position, we did fantastic in freshman year - sems in natl tournament)
Awards: 2007 French Contest Laureat, AP Scholar at end of soph year, and National Scholar at the end of junior</p>
<p>Volunteering: 1 month of work (non-paid) as maintenance assistant at a French camp I used to attend</p>
<p>Could you chance me at Oxford in UK, LSE, Princeton, Harvard, Yale, Georgetown, UCHicago, UWashington, Stanford, Claremont McKenna</p>
<p>(I'm actually really hoping to go to Oxford, I just visited and love it here)</p>
<p>well, your ECs arent excellent, but everything else is probably enough to get you into the top American schools. As for the British schools, Im afraid that you dont have much of a chance at any school in England. this is notyour fault, but English schools are based on a different system than ours. they are only three years, not four, and are more akin to an American grad school, as they are very focused and require thirteen years of schooling, not twelve. Oxford, in a recent year, admitted only thirty US students, far more selective than even Harvard. Cambridge, another English school admitted three. However there is hope for schools in the UK: Scotland. In fact, the American college system was based off of the Scottish one. check out Aberdeen and St. Andrews. St. Andrwes is the more prestigious of the two and is often compared to Princeton. it currently has 550 American students pursuing a degree on campus and another 250 studying abroad there. It is the most popular full-time college destination outside of North America. I understand if you have your heart set on Oxford, but dont be disappointed if you dont get in there. good luck to you! chance me back? <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/736144-chance-upcoming-senior-my-school-picks.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/736144-chance-upcoming-senior-my-school-picks.html</a></p>
<p>Haha, yeah thanks for the chance. I have researched the topic pretty thoroughly and even visited the open days at the colleges. The way English schools make sure Americans are at the same level as British students is through APs (which I have done my best to load up on). There are a few CCers who have made it into Oxford with APs. Though I’m sure it’s not easy, chances seem to actually be higher (around 25%) at Oxford than at American Ivies. And sure, they only accept around 30 Americans, but that’s because Americans don’t seem to apply there very often (they’re scared or have no idea that it exists outside of Harry Potter or whatever:) )
And I know it’s only one subject, and PPE would be it for me. Honestly, I think it’s a fantastic program, and England is an amazing place. I’m kinda posting this info mostly as advice/what I understand about American students applying to Oxford. I may be wrong on some things, but I think this could be useful for prospective American students.</p>
<p>oh wow, that 25% acceptance is actually pretty cool. I just assumed that it would be lower than the ivies if only 30 got in, but sounds like you know what you’re doing. nice job!</p>
<p>@member2008: you’re clearly not looking at UK admissions as you should be. i see that you’re looking into PPE. but here’s news: PPE admissions are competitive as hell. oxford PPE is probably the hardest course at oxbridge to gain admission to. the 25% chances are statistical; the oxford admissions pool is intensely self-selecting. also, the 25% chances are for all applicants; international applicants have it much harder - especially those from the US whose system is considered inferior by british admissions officers. what works for you is that your GPA is excellent, your SATs are great and your AP scores are generally 5s. UK doesn’t really regard ECs in the admissions process. so i’d say your chances at oxford aren’t quite 25% but do apply and be sure to write excellent essays.</p>
<p>but be forewarned: PPE is probably the hardest university course in UK and perhaps even the world. its designed for the best students around and that means a LOT of work in you time there. apply only if you’re confident that you can cope with the stress.</p>
<p>I do understand that it’s a very difficult course, but that said top American colleges aren’t exactly cake either :p</p>
<p>And the PPE tutor told me that the personal statement is rubbish, and they really dont look at it cause they don’t even know for sure that you wrote it. I understand that the interview as well as the so-called TSA entrance exam are the two most important things after the UCAS form.</p>
<p>I also have a little bit of hope at English schools because I’ve seen a few students on CC and the student room from the US who have gotten in. The admission process doesn’t quite look as ridiculously hopeless as at HYPS, so I’m grabbing onto the little hope there is :D</p>
<p>Make of it what you will. Soulds like Oxford are doing the same, given what the tutor told you.</p>
<p>I would advise you to write a straight foward personal statement along the lines of “I would like to study subject X because…” Then wax lyrical about how much you love the subject, particular areas you are interested in, career aspirations and any ECs which are directly related to the subject (for PPE maybe debate or something if political related?).</p>
<p>The important thing is that your statement leads to an interview! It doesn’t have to be unique or genius, especially as the evidence points towards the admissions people barely glancing at it. Just try to sound studious and sincere. Don’t start writing about any personal journeys or stuff like that. To European ears that makes you sound like a guest on Jerry Springer. </p>
<p>It’s the interview that really gives you a chance to shine and show what a great student you will be. There are some videos of Cambridge interviews on their web-site. I think there are Oxford ones on Youtube (not sure. Haven’t looked myself). Remember that every single applicant will have really high stats, so you have to try and stand out from them and the interview is your chance to do it. Interviews as basically very similar to the tutorials you will have every week if you are admitted, so it’s ok to disgaree, get answers wrong and argue (that is what most of my tutorials were like anyway, but maybe it’s just me?). They are looking for someone who thinks and is teachable, not someone who already knows all the answers (or thinks they do and won’t reason).</p>
<p>The most recent statistics say that 19.5% of applicants for PPE were accepted. It’s not the most difficult course entrywise - that honour goes to Economics & Management at 7.8%. Across all subjects the success rate amongst overseas applicants (12.0%) was about half that of applicants as a whole. That said the most certain way of not getting in is not to apply.</p>
<p>I am planning to apply to Cambridge or Oxford as well. My chances are even slimmer than yours, as I am from Canada and attend a public school that offers only one AP class (there are no private schools in my city). My father is from england and attended Cambridge. Apparently, while marks are a major factor of acceptance to British schools, for universities such as Oxford or Cambridge, you need to be incredibly bright and passionate about your desired area of study. You need to be unique. Admittance to Oxbridge is mostly based on your personal statement and especially the interview (if you are lucky enough to get one). I can completely relate to your desire to go to Oxford. It would be amazing to go there! Good luck with your applications, but if you don’t get in to Oxford then don’t be discouraged. It sounds as though you have great chances of getting accepted to a prestigious school in the U.S and you can still receive an amazing education. But who knows? Maybe I’ll see you at Oxford or Cambridge someday? Haha I can only dream!</p>
<p>I have a “best friend” who is an admissions tutor at Cambridge, and what Cupcake and Whitneybenning say is true. She - my friend - is always looking for people who are willing to engage in debate, and who are passionate about their subject. I have seen her radiant after interviews with some students because of how intensely engaged they are. That said, you don’t have to be “incredibly intelligent”. I got in, and I’m not, and I have a lot of friends from Oxford who are on a similar level to me. It doesn’t hurt to apply.</p>
<p>if you are applying for E+M at Oxford… wow, good luck, i heard its quite tough.
if you tell me which one your applying for, then i try to give u a more accurate picture…
also, do you know how to take the entrance exams, which are specific for each dept?</p>
<p>confidentia, PPE is the subject. And yes, there’s the TSA, which is on Nov 4 and can be administered at local schools (even overseas) if arranged beforehand.
Any other opinions on American schools?</p>
<p>well PPE is also quite tough too =)
im thinking of possibly applying, do you know
if they offer the admissions tests in like the midwest?
i find their website a little difficult to navigate (as I did w/ LSE)</p>
<p>As I said, you can take it at your school (anywhere basically). I think the TSA is taken online, but i can’t guarantee it - otherwise, it’s written and they’ll fax it to the oxford admissions tutors.</p>