Oxford English Lit - which APs should I take?

International Students
1

Hi -

I go to an elite boarding school on the East Coast that doesn’t explicitly offer AP courses, so I’m on my own when it comes to selecting which APs to take this coming (junior) year.

My absolute dream would be to study English Literature at Oxford University. The admission requirements for a student from America include three (or more) APs at a 5. They don’t specify which APs they want. However, from students in the UK, they want an English A-Level and preferably other humanities A-Levels, like history and modern languages, as well.

I’ve already gotten a 5 on the Spanish AP, so I’m good for one of the three APs. But Oxford wants the equivalent for the English A-Level, so should I take the English Lang AP or the English Lit AP? Should I take both? Since the course at Oxford is actually called English Literature, I feel like I should take Lit. But I think I have a much better chance of getting a 5 on the Lang AP, especially because the Lit AP is notoriously hard to get a 5 on.

I will have to take the Calc BC AP, as well as AP US History, for class credit next year anyway, and I think I’m pretty well set to get a 5 on US, and possibly a 5 on Calc as well. But I definitely have to ace at least one English AP, so I’d appreciate advice about which one to take!

Many thanks!

2

English Lit would definitely be better.

3

For the equivalent of an English A-level, you should give them both English APs if possible. A-levels generally cover the material of more than one AP. If possible, it would probably be best to give them 2 history APs too.

My impression is English Literature at Oxford is awesome. Kris Kristoffersen studied it as a Rhodes Scholar.

4

Thank you!