US Student Applying to Oxford

Student Lounge International Students
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Hi! I am a US student applying to Oxford for business (currently leaning towards the PPE program). I found out about Oxford in late April and took what I thought would be the appropriate tests. I crammed for the Micro/Macro tests in the days leading up to the test and thus did poorly (3’s). After taking the tests I decided to not to apply to Oxford…until talking to a counselor a few days ago. I was wondering if I needed to report all my standardized test scores to Oxford. For example, if I took the SAT and ACT, could I just report one? Also, is it possible for me to cancel my AP scores so I won’t have to report them? I also heard Oxford doesn’t look at GPA?

I also need to take the October 1st SAT II exams (Math II and US History) and I was wondering if they would satisfy the requirements for PPE (I already have a 5 in AP Lang, US Government, and Psychology).

Ahh, I’m really freaking out about this and I have a ton more of questions. I spent hours pouring over the official website but it wasn’t very helpful or clear.

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Hello!

Yes, you do have to report all your scores. Afaik, once an AP test has been marked you can’t cancel it.

US Gov & Psych each count as 1/2 an AP, so that gives you 1, + Lang makes 2. Your math & USH will give you 4. Look for scores in the strong 700s.

How carefully have you read the description of PPE? the people that I know in PPE are not looking for business degrees, and really there is not much that is particularly applicable to business. Are you good at researching & writing essays? b/c you do a lot of that in PPE.

Why did your counselor say to change your mind?

Are you registered for the TSA and have you practiced?

Are you looking at other UK unis?

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@collegemom3717,

Thanks for yours response! I had a particularly poor sophomore year and my GPA is way too low to have a realistic chance at elite business programs in the US, although i am applying to a few anyway. However, I heard Oxford doesn’t look at GPA which gave me a lot of hope since my test scores and pretty much everything else is good (except those AP tests…urg). A brief rundown: 34 ACT, 2090 SAT (took an ACT to compensate), Class President, 2x Varsity Athlete, Entrepreneur with a few consumer products and smartphone applications, etc.

I am not looking at any other UK schools besides Oxford. When I wrote counselor earlier I meant my older brother who acts as my college admissions counselor-- my school counselor isn’t very helpful. I initially dropped Oxford because I didn’t see a viable path towards admission with my poor AP scores and thus didn’t bother to cancel them. I didn’t talk to him much after that until a few days ago when I was finalizing which colleges to apply to. He inquired about Oxford and immediately told me to do whatever it takes to get an interview. Some of his MBA classmates were from Oxford’s History and Economics major and told him a lot about the Oxford experience which he thought fit me perfectly. After some more research I knew this school was definitely my first choice and I needed to do whatever I could to get that interview.

I am not registered for the TSA but I will inquire about it with my school counselor in the next few days. I believe as long as you are signed up to take the test before 10/15, it should be okay. I took TSA Oxford 2010 as practice a while back and scored a 72 which I hope is good enough, otherwise I’ll definitely practice more.

I’ll definitely consider switching to History and Economics instead but probably not E&M because it is apparently significantly harder to get into. I thought PPE would be a good choice because I have a strong background in politics as I’ve held high positions in local campaigns and etc. Would you also happen to know where the AP/SAT test requirements are listed for each major? I couldn’t find the requirements anywhere on the website. I’m also pretty good at researching and essay writing :). I appreciate your help a lot!!! It’s so assuring being able to talk to someone who knows the process!

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Minimum SAT is 2100, ACT is 32 for all courses.

Note that there are no majors: you read a subject, and you only take modules in that subject (or subjects, in the case of joint subjects such as PPE). Please be sure that you have read the details of the program carefully and that you can see modules that you would like to take each year (it’s all on the website).

For the TSA you have to be registered by the 15th and take it on November 2. Do you live near a testing center, or do you go to a school that is a registered test site?

In 2014, the average TSA score of PPE offer holders was 71

From Cambridge Assessment (who create and give the TSA)

  • The scale has been designed so that typical applicants to the most highly selective undergraduate university courses in the UK (who are by definition academically very able) will score around 60. The best applicants will score more highly, but 70 represents a comparatively high score and only a few very exceptional applicants will achieve scores higher than 80.*

From Keble College:

The decision of who to invite for interview is based on past and predicted exam results, the school report, the personal statement and TSA performance. These criteria do not vary across colleges: they are centrally agreed for all colleges offering PPE. Candidates that who score well in the TSA (above 63.70 this year) and had good exam results and references were likely to be asked for interview. Candidates who scored between 61.8 and 63.7 may have been invited for interview. Candidates scoring below 61.8 will only have been invited for interview with special consideration of other factors.

Varsity athlete won’t help on your application (not relevant to your course), but your politics experience is worth mentioning in your PS. Entrepreneurship is hard to tell- it might, if you can link it to 1 or more of the PPE subjects, but it might look as if you are really interested in a business course, vs the PPE subjects. One of the reasons that joint subjects are harder to get into is that tutors from each of the subjects have to agree that they want you on the course and each tutor is really only interested in how you will do in their subject.

Do you have any Calc? if not, you will be at a disadvantage not only in admissions but (just as importantly) the first year econ modules…

AP Comp Gov is only a 1/2 AP, but it is a comparatively easy self-study, and the material is really useful in the first year politics module.

Be aware that you have to list not just the standardized tests that you have taken, but the tests you are scheduled to take senior year, and that if you were to get an offer it could well be conditional on those results.

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I think the acceptance rates for E&M may be slightly misleading you; it’s a result of the number of applications per place rather than how good a candidate you actually need to be.
Having said that, I think you need a very strong math background for E&M, and lacking calculus would be a significant issue. (It would make a PPE app stronger too, but isn’t actually essential.)
While Oxford doesn’t formally consider GPA, they will place a considerable amount of emphasis on your academic reference (teacher’s recommendation), which should draw on your academic performance.

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@Conformist1688 @collegemom3717

Thanks for the information! I am registering for a TSA test about an hour from where I live. I am taking Calculus AB and the subsequent AP test in May. I got a 2 and 3 on the econ tests which I crammed last minute which I hope will not hurt me too much and is also a reason why I am not applying to E&M but rather PPE. Although my math isn’t bad, it isn’t amazing either.

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The econ AP scores are a concern, definitely, because while they don’t ask for an econ background, having done it and got poor results, that won’t look great - is there any chance you could retake them?

Good luck.

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@Conformist1688 I can definitely retake them in May but not before then. I guess I can only hope they overlook it or offer admission contingent on 5’s on the econ exam.

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Your odds are very very low.
They’d expect a string of AP 5’s, whatever your reasons for scoring 2-3. The act score is just a hurdle to clear, what they 're really interested in are your subject/ap results. 5 5’s/700’s are really the first level - TSA is way above that.
PPE is one of the most competitive and prestigious courses to boot.
However why not look into Trinity Dublin BESs?

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@MYOS1634 I’ll definitely take a look into Trinity Dublin BESS. I retook the ACT’s this weekend and I may pull a 36 or at least a 35 after looking through some answer threads online. I went through most of the practice tests for the TSA and I am scoring consistently in the high 70’s. I am also scoring in the high 700’s/800 for Math II and USH SAT subject tests. I’m not sure whether I should try explaining or mentioning my two poor scores in my personal statement.

Also, would you happen to have any other course suggestions for Oxford? Although I like PPE a lot, I am really interested in studying at Oxford and as long as it’s economics related. However, from what I researched it seemed E&M was significantly more difficult to get admitted to.

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As I said before, I think the acceptance rates for E&M may be slightly misleading you; it’s a result of the number of applications per place rather than how good a candidate you actually need to be. You do need a really strong math background for E&M.

Yes, you need to explain your poor scores somewhere on the application.

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@zoohunter I’m really sorry, but from my research you are not a viable candidate at this time. Consider instead concentrating on your high school work to get into a good US-based university that has an exchange program with Oxford. Then work hard in college, get professor LoRs and go to Oxford as a sophomore or junior. After that, you can always apply for graduate studies there. Good luck, it may be a long, winding road, but if you really want it, Oxford will be there…

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BTW - I’ve just noticed that you’re taking Calculus AB AP - can you switch to BC instead? It would definitely make you a stronger candidate. Almost all UK candidates for E&M, and a fair number of those applying for PPE, will be doing Maths A level, which covers more than BC (and some may have Further Maths too).

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@Conformist1688 Unfortunately, it’s too late to switch into Calculus AB AP :frowning:

However, I talked to the AP about cancelling AP scores and they said it was fine as long as I didn’t send them directly to colleges. Apparently, it will not show up in my official transcript so I am really happy. I also scored a 35 on the ACT which is I’m happy with.

Thus far, my application will consist of a 35 ACT, 5 AP Psych, 5 AP Lang, 5 AP US Gov, and likely 780+ SAT II US History, 760+ SAT II Math II. Also likely a 70-75 TSA (based on practice). I’m really hoping my political and school work + extracurricular and accolades will get me an interview.

@psywar I appreciate the feedback! I will definitely look into that option if I get rejected.

I appreciate all the feedback and help!

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You must report ALL your standardized test scores, including the Econ scores.It doesn’t matter what the AP/College Board people say, If you don’t report them all you will have lied on your UCAS declaration, and if you get caught you can have any offer rescinded / be expelled.

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@zoohunter congrats on the 35, that’s great!

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Agree that if you want to study at Oxford, a one year study abroad program there is probably your best path. A 3.7 GPA in college is usually required. A ton of American schools have programs that allow you to study at Oxford:
https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/international-students/events/which-colleges-accept-visiting-students?wssl=1

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@collegemom3717 You’re right. I’ll have to input everything.

Also, I have been really sick for the past week. Is it possible for me to cancel the USH and Math2 SAT II test and take it for November 4th? The Oxford website mentioned that I could do that as long as I report that some scores are pending. Moreover, will it affect my admission chances? As I mentioned before I currently hold 5’s in AP Psych, Lang, and US Govt’.

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Including pending scores is absolutely fine - it’s the norm for domestic students, after all.

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Hi! I just sent my application in and I felt pretty good about the TSA and everything :). Crossing my fingers for an interview.

I was wondering about the pending scores. I understand there is only 1 set of AP tests before the school year commences. However, there are multiple SAT 2 subject tests dates before the year starts. I added 3 pending SAT 2 subject tests (which i just took) and I marked my pending scores as 750. I feel confident about 2 of them but not the 3rd. Do they care when I achieve on the November test as long as I get a 750 on the next test? Should I cancel and retake (not sure if you have to resubmit all scores after you apply).

Also does anyone know anything about conditional offers for US students? If I take the AP test, I will not get scores back until July. Since 5/1 is the universal “acceptance day” I would be unable to go to a US university if I did not meet the conditional offer requirements.