Good enough for Oxbridge?

Question

I got my GCSEs today and they weren't as good as I expected:

3 A*s

6 As

1 B

I'm having two remarked, so it might go up to 5A*s, 4 As, 1 B

But my chances are ruined now, aren't they?

I feel like I won't get to Oxford, where I want to do PPE anymore thanks to the lack of A*s and the B I got in Art

What do you guys think?

Answer 1

Don't panic you have great grades!

Some students from Cambridge came to our school and basically they are looking for 5+ A/A* which you have.

Obviously you have to keep up the good work at A levle- AAA/ AAB is the kind of thing they are looking for.

Best of luck!

Answer 2

Your GCSEs don't really matter. It's your A levels your going to need top grades in. Most people who apply to Oxford get A's in 4 - 6 full A level (why? I don't know, passing exams is a waste of time really, you should only need to be very good (and not just pass an exam) at the subject you want to study).

Answer 3

unless youre sure of getting all As at A level its not worth applying to oxbridge

Answer 4

Don't worry. Oxford is much more interested in your A-level results rather than your GCSEs.

In order to be admitted, candidates must show evidence of an appropriate educational background and good standards of literacy and numeracy. However, the University does not have any formal matriculation requirements, and no requirement for any particular subjects or grades at GCSE, though tutors will use these grades as one indicator of academic ability.

All applications are considered carefully on their individual merits and tutors consider academic achievements, predicted grades, candidates’ personal statements and academic references as well as any written work or written test that may be required as part of the application. Candidates who feel that they under-performed at GCSE may be able to compensate for this by demonstrating clear upward progression at AS-level as well as in predicted or achieved A-level scores. You may wish to refer to this in your personal statement.

Providing that you meet any specific requirements for your course, they recommend you to take those subjects that interest you most and in which you feel you have the ability to do best. Tutors are much more interested in candidates’ overall academic ability, and their potential and motivation for the course at Oxford, than the particular programmes which have been followed at school.

Competition is strong and conditional offers are likely to be for high grades. The offer may specify certain grades to be achieved in particular subjects if they have not been achieved already.

The Oxford website might help you:

http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergrad...

http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergrad...

Hope this helps, if you need any other information, please ask it in the additional details and I will try to help you. Good Luck.  :-)

Answer 5

gr8 grades.

oxford dont look at gcsez...... they want AAA in A levels.

concentr8 on gettin 3Az in your Alevels.

Answer 6

I can't answer your question very well because I don't know the specifications for your course but you can look at the UCAS website, http://www.ucas.ac.uk/ , and look at the specifications for your desired course or phone up Oxford uni or cambridge and ask.

The only facts I know is that the average Cambridge student has 6 A*s at GCSE and also Oxford use GCSEs more than Cambridge when deciding who to give out an interview to.

I wish you luck but even if Oxbridge doesn't work out then there are loads of other unis which will most certainly accept your GCSEs (which are really good btw). It is a different university but you will graduate with the same degree.

Answer 7

you need A levels not GCSE's to get to Oxford

well my friend went to oxford last year and i did better than him with my GCSE's he went to college did he A levels and now he is there.

its just snobbery on your behalf

Answer 8

Try anyways, the worst that can happen is they say no.  That said grades are not the only thing Universities look at.  Be involved in leadership(student gov), volunteering(community outreach), get involved in extracurricular activies/sports/school newspaper.  

Answer 9

With those grades you still have a chance.

I've just come out of the other end of the application process and something which my dad told me the whole way through was 'it's not over until the fat lady sings' so just keep giving it your all and not losing hope until it really is too late.

The next step is to aim for something like AAAA at AS or very near that. This will put you in a strong position. Saying that, I know two people in my year who got in on AABB at AS but that's a bit risky. Fortunately, grades aren't everything - The interview's the important bit - you won't need to worry about that bit for another year though.

The key thing is to stay focused, always keeping your eyes on the final prize. It's a tough process but it IS manageable.

Don't spend a moment longer worrying about the art - it's not related AT ALL to your subject choice so they're not gonna care.

Oh and they interview like 80% of all the applicants so no need to worry about that part - keep in mind that not everyone applying is going to have grades as good as yours.

And when it comes down to it, you may not decide to apply for PPE afterall - many people are put off the philosophy part and apply to something like history instead. I must warn you that PPE is very competitive so you've got to REALLY want it, but again you've got plenty of time to decide.

Good luck with it all and feel free to ask if you wanna know anything else!