<p>Does anyone have any experience/expertise/advice regarding applications to Oxford for English for American applicants?</p>
<p>I'm very well read, write very well, speak well, think on my feet and can analyze quickly and effectively (for the interview.)</p>
<p>As far as scores, I got a 2180 on the SAT (780 W/760 CR/650 M) but I'm retaking June 1st to get 2300+ and also taking the ACT with writing June 8th.</p>
<p>I took the Lit SATII but haven't gotten scores back.</p>
<p>Assuming my AP Lang AP score is 5 (I'm pretty confident,) I do well on the English Lit Admissions test, get my SAT score up - do I have a decent chance at an interview? </p>
<p>When I make an app, does it matter which college I apply to, as long as it's not the super oversubscribed ones (like Christ Church or Exeter or Magdalen, though I admit I do love those colleges)? </p>
<p>Overseas trips just to visit is something I did 2 years ago (when I first fell in love with the school) but because of my family situation right now, I probably won't be able to visit and look at specific colleges before my app is submitted, though I can definitely fly over if I get an interview. Because I won't be able to look at specific colleges, is there any benefit to an open college application - is that better, worse, the same? </p>
<p>Also, I have a great love for certain periods in literature, especially post World War II. Would the fact that I haven't read pre-19th century literature extensively be a detriment to me? I'm going to try to do a lot over the summer to broaden my knowledge base but I'm just wondering.</p>
<p>Sorry for the long post!</p>
<p>This is incredibly specific for CC, so I would suggest having a look at The Student Room, which is like a UK version of CC and had a very active Oxford forum</p>
<p>Agree with boomting- student room is great! As for your specific questions, going over to look at the colleges is less important- save your pennies and go if you get invited for a interview. In general, having a particular area of interest is better than not, and if you want to amuse yourself researching colleges, look up the English faculty bios ( not all are online, but many are) and see if you see some with an interest in more contemporary lit. Don’t over think the college choice though- as many as 20+% are pooled to other colleges anyway, and it all seems to work out.</p>
<p>The personal statement is where a lot of US students fall down, b/c it is so different from what you are used to writing, but there is a lot of help available (Oxford has a great series of podcasts on iTunes and some clips on YouTube, plus there are peer reviewers on student room). English lit is also a challenging course to get into- super competitive, and there is a bit of skepticism that any other system (especially the known-to-be-less rigorous American system!) could prepare you as well (tutors won’t say it, but some students will). </p>
<p>FYI, in the last few years three people from our US high school have applied to Oxford. All had great test scores. The first one applied for PPE, got rejected after interview and is now at Yale; second was History & Politics, and was accepted (conditions: 5s on 3 further APs beyond the 4 5’s already in hand), and is now finishing first year; and the third applied for English Lit, was rejected before interview, and is going to Princeton.</p>
<p>Did you only do AP Eng Lang, not Lit? That will seem odd to them, and is likely to be a condition if you get that far.</p>
<p>I will do English Lit, but my school only permits the course to be taken as a senior. </p>
<p>Thanks a lot for the input, it’s really appreciated!!</p>
<p>The thing is with me as an applicant, my learning of literature has been largely independent, but also aided and facilitated by my English teacher who is an Oxford grad. I definitely agree that American English classes are nothing compared to A Levels - but it’s also true that I’m not just a product of American schooling alone. It’ll be interesting to see what happens!</p>
<p>Your SAT score is already fine for Oxford. You are now going to need either three AP tests with scores of “5” or three SAT subject tests with scores above 700. Maybe more than three to be more competitive. As an American applicant, you are substituting these American exams instead of A-levels.</p>
<p>If you can get all this, then yes I would say you have a very good chance at an interview.</p>
<p>KEVP</p>
<p>That is super that you have a teacher who knows the Oxford system! S/he will be able to help you with your PS and interview prep. </p>
<p>There is a sticky on the pros and cons of each of the colleges on the Oxford forum on Student Room, and there are videos on YouTube and podcasts on iTunes done by both Oxford tutors and students- you will enjoy those.</p>
<p>Go for it- it’s worth it!</p>
<p>I believe that, in terms of applying to a college, it doesn’t really affect admissions. If you don’t get into the college you want, they don’t reject you from Oxford but assign you to a different college.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t bother taking the ACT with writing. your SAT scores are pretty good. you can retake for a higher score if you like, but it’s not necessary</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the testing advice, guys! And for pointing me to the podcasts - so cool!</p>