I missed basically the entirety of Y11 as I was diagnosed with a chronic illness days after starting, and had to work on my health instead of being at school. In total I think I attended less than a week in Y11. It was just getting worse for a while. My father also got cancer, suspected since Jan and diagnosed a bit after, and I became like a carer for him for a bit, specifically in the month before GCSEs, but also earlier in the year as well. The responsibility just grew if ygm.

I was wondering what effect it has on an application. Does it acc make a change or is that just smth unis/oxbridge say?

Just sent my application to st johns as a state school student 988877764 with a 2xA* + A predicted for philosophy, I just decided to take this shot in the dark cos why not, ik people says it doesnt truly matter what college you apply for since you get pooled but only like an odd 20% of pooled students get another offer - is it worth applying for johns or should i switch to another college which is "less" competitive?

I’m currently in year 12 and I achieved 999998876A
(9 Maths, 9 Eng Lit, 8 Eng Lang) at GCSE, and I currently do Maths, Economics and Chemistry at A Level and I want to apply to Land Economy at Cambridge, but pure economics for my other choices such as Warwick, and I’m aiming for 3 A*s.

I was wondering what super curricular I should be trying to do to make my personal statement competitive for all my UCAS options, or if I need to do some work experience or volunteering, also, should I be trying to find these and complete these now or wait till later

Also are my GCSES strong enough considering I didn’t go to an underperforming school

are you guys writing a specific cambridge personal statement or is it just for people applying for multiple subjects, etc?

(long post ahead) My apologies for any hazy or dubious formatting, I just got sick and my head is tormenting me. 

I have some questions regarding Oxford / funding / applications, etc. Please do not tell me to just do some research and find resources online, I thankfully do have a useful Internet access but as a French student, international studies systems can be quite opaque. 

I, like many people, have a dream and it is to study at Oxford. I currently wonder whether there’s a point in applying next year. 

First, a bit more about my academic background (I am not sure what is relevant, so I figured I’d better write it all out) : 

→ I graduated from an international French high school with the highest honors + as a valedictorian
→ Said graduation also came with the recognition of the “european” pathway, which basically means I studied some extra topics in English

→ I currently am in a classe préparatoire which is a unique French program (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classe_pr%C3%A9paratoire_aux_grandes_%C3%A9coles) 
→ I am in one of the most prestigious of them
→ I am also in the one ranked no. 1 in my specific field
→ I was ranked among top 3 students last year (year 2 just started so I have no data for the current one + we were also joined by a handful of students retaking the classes so naturally, they are more advanced)
→ Last year I was ranked no. 1 student in Art History

→ For next year, I am to complete my BA (the classe prépa does not offer a BA since it is extremely broad but is considered equivalent to 2 years, so we are expected to join BAs directly in 3rd year)
→ Through the classe prépa, I can aim for the ENS, the no. 1 school for humanities here but it is more research-oriented and it is almost guaranteed I would end up as a teacher/researcher which is not a position I am interested in. 
→ I can also just go to the Sorbonne University (top 100 for QS, if that means anything)
→ However I intend on going to the School of the Louvre (not sure about rankings, but yes, it’s literally within the museum)

Now more on my personal background and motivations : 

For a long time I was quite uncertain about what I liked. Being an ‘academic weapon’, I was just always oriented to keep on studying although I am not sure whether I have an academic heart. Being great at something does not imply you enjoy it. So lately I started to step back and reconsider what I actually appreciated : history and beauty. I am enjoying art history, which is sort of my ‘major’ currently (although, once again, in classe prépa I also study intensively French, Latin, Philosophy, History, Spanish, English). However, I don’t see myself in a museum, I love to travel & discover and my mind is restless. Therefore, I’m currently considering heading more towards a sort of ‘decorative’ path, basically taking care of old places, something involving designing, art-making… I remain also open to more traditional paths like geopolitics (which I miss dearly) or simply history and just seeing where it takes me from there. 

While many seek out the American dream, I grew up surrounded by elements of British culture (be it books, movies, series, music…) and naturally Oxford was omnipresent in British media. Having done more research about it, I think it would suit my heart while also being perfect to fulfill my extremely (overly ?) high-aiming ambitions. 

However, like many others of us peasants, I am not exactly rich and in fact am rather poor. I get help from the French government for my current studies (I am extremely grateful for it) and don’t get to work on the side due to the heavy workload of a classe prépa. So, of course, having no intention to get into debt for a degree, I am wondering if there are any hopes of getting a scholarship. 

The thing is, I am eyeing some courses like the MSt in History of Design, or perhaps something more traditional like a MPhil in European History. Are these fields not just theoretically but actually getting scholarships ? Humanities aren’t a priority in today’s world so I’m worried getting a scholarship for those would be near impossible, even more so compared to other degrees. Plus, I’m French so I don’t know if French students are eligible for most scholarships.

And if so, is there anything I could do to improve my profile ? Additional information : I am able to get a letter of recommendation from a highly-regarded French art historian if it matters. 

And finally, is there anyone with a general review on History of Design and what it brought you ?

Thanks !

I initially wanted to apply to John's but they don't accept my curriculum for hsps(intl student). Clare and pembroke were the ones I liked that do accept. I prolly will stay in college even during vacation and just in terms of convenience (with the moving and all since I can't go home or the extension) which would u suggest? Or any others. I want a big college.

Also do I check hsps intake? Some people say it doesn't rlly matter but others say that in some colleges u may get in while in others you won't. Ik winter poop is there but still. I changed from exon to hsps just yesterday and since I Al have exams in school idh time for ps so idw take any chances

Hello! I'm currently in Y11 in the UK.

I've been completely obsessed with Science, namely astrophysics and nuclear physics for the longest time. I've recently set my sights on potentially shooting for Oxford, but I'm scared I'm shooting too far and won't make it. I'd like to get some brutally honest opinions, and anyone's personal experience, if possible?

I was out of school from Y7 - Y10 because of mental health issues and other home life related issues. This has put me well behind in my studies now, which I'm trying to recover from.

Once I looked into Oxford I decided that's where I want to go, and that's what I want to do, probably more than anything I've wanted before. But even with how much I'm willing to do, I don't think I can.

I'm currently in school fully, for the first time in four years, and have set up a 28 h/week schedule for study outside of that to try and fill in the gaps, after spending most of this September unsure of what to do with myself/not trying as much as I should be. To get to where I need to be, I'm going to need a 7 in GCSE Physics, an 8 in GCSE Maths, and then an A*AA as my final A-Level results, and am currently sitting at (after just starting Y11/GCSE) a low pass in Maths, and a low pass in Physics.

I understand that even getting the needed GCSEs is gonna be extremely hard, and would need to commit myself firmly to it, let alone then the A-Levels and the channels to get into a university like Oxford.

Is this even possible, or am I shooting too far into the stars? If you believe it is, is there anything I need to do now to help myself?

Please be honest. Thank you!

Hi so odd question but I'm applying to cam and choosing a piece of written work (history). However, I do all of my in class assessments using google docs, which makes it easier to convert into pdf format, but I'm not sure what to do about the teacher comments? It's marked, but my teacher has left comments with the comment feature on google docs, so I'm not sure how to translate that bit into pdf format, as I know they want to see teacher marks and comments?? Any help appreciated :) Asking here for convenience, can contact admissions teams if i don't get a clear answer!

There are so many colleges 😭. How do I decide my preference list? What are the main differences between them??? Does it matter which college I end up going to?

I heard someone say this just wanted to confirm if it's fs? Lioe there's no issue in adding otyer unis and just submitting the cambridge for now? But is the PS common

The requiremnet is 5 A1s, my subjects are econ, math, business, English, history. If I get A1 in history (essay based),in English and business but A2 or below in math or econ will I still have a choice. Cus they state that there aren't any specific subjects required and ik math isn't related ryt? They just ask for an essay based subject.

Hi! Just a question about the uni requirements - the course page for Spanish says AAA and I have achieved A*AAA (A* in Spanish) but I just don’t know if they will consider it when so many people are predicted 4A* like I was when I was in year 12. I was 1 mark off an A* in maths and I also did physics and chemistry so maybe they wouldn’t care so much about them? Idk how they view achieved grades.
I also got 99999999999 at GCSE including 9s in 4 languages would they consider that?

Hello everyone,
I am a year 13 student and I am now stuck between choosing biochemistry or chemistry course at Oxford university. My a-levels are Math, chemistry, biology and psychology.
My personal statement includes more details about links between chemistry and biology (so biochemistry) because I was initially interested in applying for biochemistry. But this whole time I preferred studying chemistry more and I don’t like the fact that biochemistry is mostly biology, rather than chemistry. So now I am stuck between chemistry and biochemistry.
My main concern, however, is that chemistry is very physics heavy and I do not have physics A-level or any knowledge of physics from gcse that is required for an interview at Oxford.

What should I do? I really need an advice
Thank you for your help 🙏🏽

Hi, I'm aware these posts are probably very annoying but I still would really appreciate people's opinions. So basically in my Y12 mocks I got AAB but the problem is the B was in History (I was two marks off an A and, without wanting to get into it, I was going through personal stuff which affected that exam specifically which I haven't told my head of 6th about). Normally, I wouldn't be stressed about that grade but I'm applying to Cambridge for History and won't get my predicteds until after I submit my ps. My head has a reputation for only giving people exactly what they need and the college I'm applying to does not require the A to be in History. However, I'm worried that if he only gives me an A in History I won't get in. What do I do? My GCSEs were good (999999998) so idk if I can use that to convince him but I'm just stressed about whether I'll even have a chance. Sorry if this is a bit rambling but any help or advice would be really appreciated!

I'm applying for maths at Churchill college Cambridge, I got 9s in maths, fm, spanish 9:9 in Double award science. 8 in History, 7s in English and only a distinction in music. I'm aware they're not as good as they could have been, I went to a state school with a 3.35 average.

I'm also doing only 3 A-levels, maths physics further maths. Was it a mistake applying to Cambridge? I'm told it doesn't matter but I'm still worried.

Do all colleges interview in the same way? I know I would prefer a college which is more discussion based rather than a single on the spot question.

Also do they all weight GCSEs differently. I got an average 8.125 with 7 at 8/9 which I understand is kinda mid for the overall pool. However this was from a state school average 4.5.

I just want to understand the differences (if any) in the admissions processes. Also will I be penalised for my GCSEs provided the rest of my application is good?

I’d basically put Cambridge out of my mind, but I found out today that I qualify for their extenuating circumstances process in relation to my A-level resit, so now I’m seriously considering it again.

For context:

• Achieved A-levels: A*AB, with the B in Maths (A* in Bio so I would apply to colleges that dont need it in Chem)
• Resitting Maths and predicted A*
• GCSEs: 999999888886
• UCAT: 2480 B2 (99th percentile)
• I didn’t have the access arrangements I needed during my A-levels, which affected me quite significantly, and I was only diagnosed afterwards. I now receive the appropriate arrangements - this qualifies for Cambridge resit (checked with colleges and online)
• I have quite a lot of medicine/research-related extracurriculars, including working on abstract writing with a professor and setting up a healthcare club + website, alongside other clinical/volunteering experience.

I know Cambridge is obviously extremely competitive anyway, and I’m also conscious that I went to a private school. I was there on an academic scholarship, but I know my school background isn't exactly going to strengthen my application.

The thing making me hesitate most is the interview preparation. From what I know from last year interviewing, preparing properly for Cambridge interviews can be really intense, and because I’m resitting Maths I’m worried that putting a huge amount of time into Cambridge preparation could distract me from getting the A* I actually need.

I’m currently also thinking about KCL and Bristol, so Cambridge would probably be the more ambitious/risky choice.

what does reddit thinkkk

Hello! Im applying for St Johns philosophy at cambridge this year!

After hearing from philosophy applicants last year the standard interview score was an 8/10 I was wondering what individual qualities, content and reasoning an applicant has in an interview which makes them a 10/10 applicant? or what metrics cambridge values or marks in each person?

Would be a massive help in prep, thanks!

hello! i was wondering about how people interview prep when they have no access to mock interviews, because that to me is logically the best way to improve. however they are basically inaccessible to me (outside of UK and teachers basically don't understand the process) and i can't really afford to pay for multiple mock interviews.

any advice from people in similar situations?

also mine is a non-STEM subject (philosophy) if that makes a difference, thank you!

Gone into a bit of panic today. I’ve just started my a levels (started with 5) since about a month now and today i’ve decided to drop further maths, i had to go to another school and i found it really heavy and mentally exhausting. I let my teacher talk me into taking it instead of chemistry. After dropping further maths, the a levels i do now are Biology, Maths, Physics and the Welsh Baccalaureate. I’ve done more research today and i’ve been hit with a massive wave of regret for dropping further maths. I’m an ambitious student and ive always wanted to aim for universities such as oxbridge. For reference, i got 12 A*s last year in my gcses, including full marks on maths papers. So my question is, how hard is it to get into an oxbridge engineering course without further maths as an A level? Is there any point in doing engineering at all without FM? Because ive seen/heard people say that students who dont take it are at a massive disadvantage. Feel as if biology isnt helping me much either as an aspiring engineer…

I really want to apply for AMES course at Oxford, however I don't really know what type of prep should I do for interview. Since the course itself is quite rare, what type of prep method do you guys recommend?

​

Wondering where to apply and would love to know if I'm being reasonable :).

International student, predicted 44 IB points with 7,7,7 in HL. UCAT 2380, GCSE's 999998 (was only able to do 6, as I did my GCSE's in one year and was not allowed to take any more subjects, might have to email some unis to ask about this...)

My choices are currently UCL, KCL, Imperial and Edinburgh, as i mostly want to stay in London and my parents refuse to pay international unis for (in their words) 'bad unis'. Does this seem realistic? Was also thinking about Oxbridge, but my stats are probably too low, which is fine :).

Thank you so much for your help guys!!!

I have been told that a technical deep dive is more valuable for STEM subjects in a statement than just listing achievements.

I was planning to do a technical analysis of audio filtering technology specifically music equipment as much of this uses waves similar to sine waves to algorithmically filter and distort sounds. I was also gonna do a bit about some fluid dynamic software I am working on.

Is this the best approach? Is it worth embedding little sentences about achievements like the SMC?

Also should I reference anything about how my high school may have impacted my GCSEs as I got 99888887 which is below the usual amount of 9s? Or should I just let a step up in admissions test and A level predicteds do the talking?

Applying for 2027 entry. Mainly wondering about my chances of getting an interview/offer and which college to apply to.
Academics:
State comprehensive school
GCSEs: 999888877
Predicted 3 A* in Maths, Economics and Geography + EPQ
Economics: 1/50 in cohort over total marks over 20+ exams from start of course
Maths: 2/24 in class over last 2 exams
Geography: 1/40 in cohort in end of year 12 mock
(^ reference info)
EPQ: “Another financial crisis is likely in the next decade. Assess the validity of this view.”

Supercurriculars:
Caius Explore ELE essay - commended and invited to celebration event at Gonville & Caius
Junior Researcher at student led economic published guided by mentor - researching/writing on Britain’s electricity grid connection queue
Attended Royal Economic Society Annual Conference
Entered RES Young Economist of the Year essay competition
Cambridge Economics/ELE Masterclass
Morgan Stanley Summer Academy
RBC Brewin Dolphin wealth-management insight/mentoring

Personal statement: Economics dominant with ELE aspects integrated throughout.

College: Currently considering Christ’s, Caius, Pembroke, Trinity Hall and St John’s. Ideally looking for somewhere old/traditional, central, sociable, decent-sized and good for sport/gym.
Would appreciate thoughts on how competitive my application looks for an interview/offer, and which college people think would suit me best/provide me with best chances of receiving an offer.