Question(s) about Oxford admissions

Student Lounge International Students
1

<p>Hey everyone, I'm a U.S. student (a rising Senior!) who is interested in attending Oxford. But, I am a bit confused to the admissions process it employs, namely, the whole "Course Requirement/Entrance Requirement" lists on their website.</p>

<p>For example, under International Qualifications (International</a> Qualifications - University of Oxford) it is stated that a US Student (as it pertains to me) get a >32 ACT and at least 3 5's on AP tests. This is reiterated under many "Entrance Requirements" (eg:Economics</a> and Management - Entrance requirements - University of Oxford).</p>

<p>Now what my question is, simply put, what do these mean?</p>

<p>Do these "qualifications" mean that since I have a >32 ACT as well as 3 5's, I will be "invited" for the interview?
Or what? Essentially, what do these numbers mean? And when Oxford stipulates that the AP tests should be in "appropriate subjects" what does that mean? eg: I wish to do something with Econ/Poli.Sci - so do my 5's in English Lang & Comp, Calc. BC, and Macro count?</p>

<p>Also, I will be taking even more AP tests next year (took 6 this year), so how does that contribute towards my application?</p>

<p>As a remainder to all, taking the SAT I's is out of the question, as I personally feel it is too late to take it for the first time/get a good score on it. I live in the Midwest, so the focus has been heavy on the ACT. </p>

<p>Also, as I have already taken the highest-level AP math class available, I will be taking Multivariable Calculus through the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (aka UIUC), does that have any impact on my application? Or should I just sign-up for and take the Calc AB AP test next year (even though my Calc AB sub score was a 5)?</p>

<p>Thanks for the help everyone,
TheChicagoan</p>

2

<p>Disclaimer: I know nothing about US qualifications.</p>

<p>The stated requirements represent a MINIMUM that a candidate must achieve to stand a chance for admission; meeting these requirements does in no way guarantee you a place. The first step in the process is submitting your scores through UCAS, as well as an Oxford tailored personal statement (here you can talk about yourself and the extra work you do above just the exams), then if you are deemed good enough you will be asked for interview, then if you do well in that you MAY be offered a place.</p>

3

<p>Yes, if Oxford says you need an ACT greater than 32, and 3 AP tests at 5, and you HAVE an ACT greater than 32, and 3 AP tests at 5, then you should definitely go for it!!!</p>

<p>The answer to your question of “which are the appropriate subjects” for Econ/Poli Sci, you probably want to read the explanation of requirements for the course (what we Yanks call a “major”) you are interested in for British students. British students your age who are applying to university are taking a set of exams called “A-levels”, and you should be able to find an explanation of which A-levels are considered “appropriate”, so if you are taking analogous AP tests you should be fine.</p>

<p>The issue then is to focus on your personal statement and your interview. As I keep reminding folks, UK unis are very different from US unis, in that they are NOT looking for someone “well-rounded”, they are instead looking for someone who is committed to the subject they intend to “read” (what we Yanks call “major in”)</p>

<p>KEVP</p>

4

<p>First off, a thank you to both oscarUK & TheRealKEVP is in order.</p>

<p>So I have “good” chances as long as I don’t butcher my interview? Because I have my 3 5’s and a ACT above a 32. On to the personal statement, should I describe the things I have done in Econ/Poli.Sci - ie: currently interning for one of my State’s senators/ etc. Model UN, etc, etc.?
Essentially, should I refer to things that are significant in the course I hope to read?(Gosh, this UK lingo is different!) </p>

<p>Thanks again,
TheChicagoan</p>

5

<p>The general rule is only mention ECs, work experience and internships if they are directly relevant to your course. Avoid name dropping if it can be helped and don’t simply list your achievements. If you’re interning for a state senator and you want to mention it in your PS you must explain what the experience taught you and how you will apply that knowledge to the study of your subject.</p>

<p>Here’s a good article on how to write a personal statement, there’s a lot more information about PS’ (even examples) on the site as well: <a href=“http://www.the%5B/url%5D”>www.the</a> student room.co.uk/wiki/Writing<em>Your</em>Personal_Statement</p>

6

<p>Well, you don’t have a ‘good’ chance of getting a place, even if you do ok in the interview - the majority of applicants are invited to interview and the majority are not offered a place. So, you have to do better than most of them, not just not butcher it! </p>

<p>Fully agree with Dionysus - don’t just list your ECs, show what you have learned from them. And don’t list all of them, even if you think they’re relevant - pick the key ones only.</p>

7

<p>Thanks for the responses Laylah and Dionysus58!</p>

<p>Just a question about the interview,as I’m interested in doing Economics @ Ox. (PPE most likely), will the interview have specific questions about PPE subjects? Eg: Solve for the inflation between year X and Y given Z and…, etc, etc. That’s actually a very easy question, but I hope ya’ll get the gist of what I’m trying to say :).</p>

<p>Appreciate all the help,
TheChicagoan</p>

8

<p>Yes, the interview will be focused on academia. My friends who were interviewed tended to have a joint politics/economics interview and a separate philosophy one but that may change depending on the college. </p>

<p>The economics questions won’t all be simple ‘solve this’ style questions: my friend discussed the merits of different economic theories and was asked to make a decision based on a hypothetical situation. </p>

<p>For philosophy they can be a bit wacky to try to get you to think ‘laterally’ - my friend was asked how he would design a test for the morality of dolphins (Instead of exploring how the notion of morality is ambiguous and the problem of human ethics/animal instinct etc. he kind of froze up and said he didn’t know, which is the wrong thing to do!) </p>

<p>Another person I know was asked how a pen could be construed to be symbolic of the studies of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (To which he responded well by talking about ‘the pen is mightier than the sword’ and the economic principles behind the production of the pen)</p>

<p>Not all questions will be wacky though! People have very different interview experiences because it’s tailored to you and also dependent on the specific professor’s chosen style.</p>

9

<p>The internet is full of stories of varying truth about oxbridge interviews so don’t believe everything you read. They can certainly be very abstract however, so be ready and well prepared for anything. The classic anecdote tells the tale of the Cambridge interview where the interviewer (from behind his morning paper) simply says “surprise me”. The candidate without hesitation snatches the newspaper, sets it on fire with his lighter, puts it in the bin and p*sses on it to put it out before resuming his seat. Rumour has it he was offered a place…
(this is not recommended)</p>

10

<p>It seems to me that they won’t be asking you things that you are going to be learning at college!!!</p>

<p>They are more interested in seeing how you think, how you approach a question, and whether your approach shows you have a genuine interest in the subject.</p>

<p>Oxford uses a tutorial system, where the faculty work with very small groups of students. They are trying to see whether you are the sort of person they would want to have in a small group discussion on PPE.</p>

<p>KEVP</p>

11

<p>Once again, thank you all for the helpful responses.</p>

<p>This seems like a very interesting interview/interview style…seems really exciting!</p>

<p>On the other hand, should I be worried about this UCAS Tariff System at all?
Based off of a quick Google, less than 4% of UK schools used the tariff system last year…
But, nonetheless, questions arise!
----Under the UCAS AP Tests Tarriff Page----
For example, group A contains both AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC giving a score of 120 Tariff Points for a 5 on each. Now, since I got a 5 on Calculus BC - I will receive 120 points. But when we got our AP scores in the mail, we received a Calc BC score and a Calc AB “subscore,” because a portion of the BC exam tested AB topics. So since I got a 5 on Calc BC & a 5 on my Calc AB subscore, will that give me 240 points (120 + 120)? Or should I take the Calc AB test next year (even though it would be incredibly easy after taking Calc BC) just to get 120 more points?
(I am only concerned about this because my 5 in Macroeconomics counts in Group B, which only gives it 60 points :(. And also because a 5 in Physics B (while in Group A) also only counts as 60 points - but then again, my 5 in Physics B shouldn’t even matter right?)</p>

<p>Sorry for this extremely long and convoluted question,
TheChicagoan.</p>

12

<p>UCAS tarriff is almost never used these days because of the supposed bias it gave certain qualifications. For example someone with 40+points in IB would be almost double what A-Level students could achieve with good scores. What matters now is the GRADE (4s 5s etc) not the tarriff conversion.</p>

13

<p>Thanks oscarUK - but another random question:
Can my AP Calc AB subscore count as another 5? Or, as I asked earlier, should I take it just to get another 5…?
(Or am I better off emailing Oxford this question?)</p>

<p>I’m just trying to maximize the APs I have in the related subjects, as quite a few of mine won’t count due to being in other subjects I don’t want to read. </p>

<p>Thanks,
TheChicagoan</p>

14

<p>I don’t think your subscore would count as another 5. I also wouldn’t take Calc AB just to get another 5; it seems redundant if you already have Calc BC. You have to include the dates you received your test scores on your application form - it may raise questions if you took the easier exam the year after the harder exam!</p>

<p>The only required subject for Econ and Management is maths, so you have that covered. Appropriate subjects for politics include history, sociology, politics/government, economics… anything that touches on the role of politics in society. English is also always a plus for essay-type subjects.</p>

15

<p>Thank you Laylah!</p>

<p>I was planning on submitting Calc BC, Macroeconomics, and English Lang & Comp. The rest of my APs are in sciences…</p>

<p>Will I be hurt by not having more “related tests” to send to Oxford?</p>

<p>Thanks,
TheChicagoan</p>

16

<p>Hi. I’m wondering if any of you know if an IB is required to go to Oxford? (Or in that case, Cambridge?)
Thank you.</p>

17

<p>No.</p>

<p>An IB is NOT required for admission to Oxford or Cambridge.</p>

<p>I would suggest, Bookie101, that you find the websites for Oxford and Cambridge, where you will find complete information on International Admissions. Then come back here if you still have questions.</p>

<p>KEVP</p>