<p>I was told that Oxford would look more at test scores (SAT, AP Exams) as opposed to course grades when examining Americans. Is this true?
It says 2 AP exams are reccommended. How many would be enough to ensure maximum possible benefit?
Also,what key qualities are being looked for in the interview?</p>
<p>In the UK Oxford/Cambridge applicants take 3-4 A-levels. This would translate to 5-6 APs at least, in my opinion. Obviously with grade 5 in all. I do not think SAT1 scores matter at all, but SAT2 scores might be considered.</p>
<p>But test scores and grades only matter insofar as they get you invited to an interview.</p>
<p>In the interview they are looking for passion of your individual subject. Just look up the Oxford website -- the admissions process is very transparent, as opposed to the very secretive American admissions process.</p>
<p>korekt: The American admissions process isn't secretive. It's holistic, and therefore hard to predict.</p>
<p>The ppl I know who got into Oxbridge/LSE had about 5 APs, all with a score of 5 of course. After they got accepted, they had to take even more AP tests. Before they arrived in the UK, they had about close to 10 APs</p>
<p>The official Oxford website says that 2 or more AP exams (with grades 4 or 5) or a "good spread" of 3 or 4 SAT-II exams (with 700+ scores) are required. However, in practice, admitted students seem to have taken far more AP exams than the required minimum (typically 4 or 5, all at grade 5).</p>
<p>Other schools in the UK seem to be more strict about AP requirements than the official Oxford site indicates. Imperial's engineering programs for example do not make offers based on SAT scores and require at least 3 AP exams. Cambridge now says it may use SAT-II scores, but generally AP results are also the main criteria to assess the quality of US applicants. I guess the bottomline is that, since there are 13 years of pre-university schooling in the UK, the expected university entry-level for American applicants should be equivalent to one year of college studies in the States, thus the emphasis on AP's.</p>
<p>Interesting. I currently have a 2330 SAT and will be taking 8 AP exams this May.</p>
<p>I am well aware that the interview is the most important portion. However, at this point I am concerned with making sure I come into that interview as surely and as strongly as possible.</p>
<p>You all have been very helpful!</p>
<p>Lol, good luck on those!!
I'll have 8 by the time I get there (fingers crossed!!!). Need to do well on one exam in May to meet my offer. But I agree - the interview is a HUGE part. After you get the grades, it's all objective from there. They pick who they want to teach.</p>
<p>depending on the college and your major you might have to write an essay and/or to sit an exam.</p>
<p>I'm aware that I'll have to submit writing samples and sit an exam. What, particularly, are they looking for in my writing samples? I know they should be graded schoolwork as close in subject matter to my course as possible. Secondly, what can I expect from the exam (for PPE specifically)?</p>
<p>Oooh the PPE exam! My friend did it this year and he was 'unsuccessful'. The questions were pretty insane. There's an example on the Oxford website.</p>
<p>Still wondering what Oxford is looking for in my samples of written work.</p>
<p>perhaps some passion for your subject?
no idea, you could try to ask some current students (facebook, etc.)</p>