Oxford Colleges

<p>Hi guys,
I'm currently a Junior living in the US (I was born here, but I do actually have UK and Dutch citizenship as well as American), and I'm very interested in Oxford's PPE course. I've been researching colleges a bit, and I think I'm interested in attending one of the smaller ones, but getting housing all 3 years would be lovely. Since all of the colleges offer it, are there any in particular which excel at PPE? (I'm a girl, so St. Hilda's would be an option.)</p>

<p>Thanks for your help!</p>

<p>There are definately colleges that are prob. more well known for PPE but I don't know which off the top of my head. What I will say though is the more reknowned the college, the more difficult it is to get in. And LOTS of people want to take PPE.</p>

<p>If you apply to a college which has a much higher number of applicants than average, those who come to Oxford for interview are allocated a second choice college which has lower than average number of applicants for that subject. You get a second (and sometimes thrid) chance interview so if your first choice is oversubscribed you can be offered a place at another college. In other words, apply to any college you like as the admissions office will try to ensure you are not disadvantaged by fluctuationg applicant numbers.</p>

<p>I don't know how this works if you are interviewed abroad so this might be the reason internationals are encouraged to make an open application, where college choice is allocated for them.</p>

<p>St Hildas is going mixed. it's offical.</p>

<p>Thanks, guys. I was considering submitting an open application; I might just do that.</p>

<p>On a slightly different note, I was wondering how the conditional acceptance works, since I'll be coming from the US. Is it possible that I be accepted on the condition that I get certain AP scores my senior year? If so, how can that work? I won't find out my AP scores until July, FAR past the time when I have to commit to schools inside the US. Any insight?</p>

<p>
[QUOTE]
Is it possible that I be accepted on the condition that I get certain AP scores my senior year? If so, how can that work? I won't find out my AP scores until July, FAR past the time when I have to commit to schools inside the US. Any insight?

[/QUOTE]

Almost certainly that will happen. UK students don't get their A-level results till the end of August so you will know if you're in far ahead of them.</p>

<p>Since that's likely to happen, what do I do about applying to other schools in the US? Do I just hope (and study) for the necessary AP scores, and not commit to any American schools, and take a gap year if I don't get the scores?</p>

<p>
[QUOTE]
Since that's likely to happen, what do I do about applying to other schools in the US? Do I just hope (and study) for the necessary AP scores, and not commit to any American schools, and take a gap year if I don't get the scores?

[/QUOTE]
</p>

<p>Well you could do that, but if I were you I would apply to US schools as normal and see what acceptances I got (and apply to another 5 UK schools as well because there is no additional charge and it's one common app). Then you can decide whether to
1)pay a deposit to a US school and lose that if you later go to the UK,
2)reject all acceptances at US schools and assume you will make your "conditions".
3)accept a US school and withdraw you UK application even if you make the grades.
Give yourself as many opportuinties as you can. Remember a year from now you might have changed your mind!</p>

<p>cupcake: on the UCAS form, is it kosher to apply for more than one course at Oxford--or are you supposed to make a single course choice with an open college choice and hope for the best?</p>

<p>Anyone done any phone interviews?</p>

<p>I'm pretty sure you can only choose one course at Oxford - though that may be incorrect.</p>

<p>You apply for one course at Oxbridge (can't apply for both, or for two courses). As for colleges, apparently (and this is taken from The</a> Student Room) it may look from an open app that you haven't done your research. Applying to one college means that even if you are rejected, other colleges will look and may make an offer to you.</p>

<p>You can only apply to one course at either Oxford or Cambridge. As far as i know open application are not statitically less successful. Those who are not coming to Oxford for an interview are advised to apply open because you will not be interviewed by an admissions officer from the college of your choice overseas. If you come to Oxford for an interview you will be interviewed at your first choice college. About 20% of people (including me) are accepted at a different college from their first choice. It's common.</p>

<p>cupcake can you help us research? Which Oxford colleges would you recommend for a History Politics course guy with a free, fun loving spirit and an interest in the arts and sport?</p>

<p>Any one you like. It doesn't matter that much IMO. Just choose the one that looks pretty in the prospectus, or the one opposite your department so you won't have to get out of bed early in the morning. That's basically what everyone else does. You think other applicants have some secret source and have spent 5 years researching the place to find the perfect college for them. They haven't. They applied to the one that someone from their school attended 10 years ago, or that they saw in Harry Potter. It's not like there is a "fun loving" college and in all others fun is barred. You can do art at every college and you can do sport at every college. If there is a particular sport you are interested in, some colleges may have specific facilities for that eg a squash court. But there are also university wide sports facilities that all colleges use, and these are generally better than the college ones. Really it's not a big deal. A college is like dorms. It's where you live. Think about if you want to "live in" for all 3 years or move into a privately rented house in your second year. Do you want catered accommodation or to cook yourself (or buy from the inevitable kebab van that parks outside the college 7pm-3am every night)? Do you want to be in the busy High Street or quiet north Oxford? These are the sorts of questions you can search the web to answer.</p>

<p>Hi. Sorry to hijack this thread...but I have just a really quick question. I've applied to Oxford for admission in 2007, and was wondering if anyone knew what the typical offers were like for students with AP qualifications. Thanks so much!</p>

<p>From what I've seen, kerouac523, they're usually 5, 5, 5, or 5, 5, 4. Sometimes (ie if you want to study Maths) they'll tell you that you need to get a specific grade on a specific AP exam. Good luck!</p>

<p>Thanks so much!</p>

<p>Hi,
I am a student in Montreal Canada. I applied for the PPE course at Oxford. I just received an invitation for an interview in New York. I was wondering if anybody could let me know what to expect and how I can prepare ...
Also, I applied to Balliol College. Do you think I should have left it open?
Thank you!</p>

<p>I'm in the same boat as you. I've applied for English at New College, and have begun to have doubts. I don't know whether an international applicant has a statistically better chance if they apply via an open application. As far as the interview goes...I believe they give you a passage and you are expected to comment upon it. Also be certain to brush up on any books you mentioned in your personal statement.</p>

<p>Thank you! Do you know if there is anyway to change from having applied to Balliol to leaving my application open ?? I'm nervous now...</p>

<p>I have no idea if you can do that. I'm hoping that they will pool me to another college if New College is overly subscribed. I wouldn't fret too much on the subject. I've known people who have applied to specific colleges and have still gotten in.</p>