Oxford or Cambridge?

jaydenxeick305 · 04-22-2008, 10:06 PM

I would really like to go to Oxford or Cambridge. I am white male living in Southern California but I am particularly drawn to these schools because I am half english myself, my mom a native of Northern England. I am very attached to the country and it s culture. Given my stats, do I have a chance at acceptance?

SAT: 2100
SAT Subject: NOt yet taken, 4 planned
GPA : 3.5 unweighted
FULL AP/IB Course load: Full IB Diploma Candidate.
Basketball: 3 years at high school level 200+ hours
ASB: 2 years Leadership (elected as STUDENT BODY SECRETARY senior year) 300+ hours
AP TESTS: 1 taken thus far (score of 5)

I would really love to major in business at either of these schools. They are more appealing to me than most of the American Colleges. Would I be someone these schools are looking for given my stats, my heritage, and the fact im a international student?

PLEASE RESPOND with any advice?

jaydenxeick305 · 04-22-2008, 10:10 PM

also i was selected by the american legion to represent my school at BOYS STATE california 2008

Diaphontes · 04-22-2008, 10:46 PM

Sorry, these schools dont put any weight on ECs...it's purely about your academic strengths...because you are a full IB Diploma Candidate, make sure your scores are either sixes or sevens...below that won't cut it..good luck =)

upton · 04-22-2008, 10:58 PM

I am rather sure that Oxford and Cambridge base admission heavily on IB scores. You may need (just a guess) a 38 - 40 range on your overall score, I think its just that tough. I am rather sure that Oxford and Cambridge are the most prestigious universities on the planet, so they will be difficult to get in for anyone, but good luck.

Sci-Fry · 04-23-2008, 07:30 AM

^ Yep, Oxbridge require a minimum IB score of 38. Often they ask for 40, or even 42! So there's a LOT of weight put on academics. They're not that concerned about ECs, although they want to see that you show passion for the subject you'd like to study. So if you're want to study engineering then you might want to mention that you attended a summer young engineers program or something (just a random example).

What is your predicted IB score?

Also note that Oxbrige very frequently give conditional offers. So for example, they may require that you to achieve 40 points at IB with 7s in math and physics higher to gain admission...

Elastine · 04-23-2008, 07:36 AM

Honestly man, have you bothered searching or have you just fallen for the names? Oxbridge/LSE don't have an undergrad business school. They just have a very theory-focused economics program, that is quite distinct from business.

sherlock1016 · 04-23-2008, 08:55 AM

Oxford I know really recommends you have at least a 2100 on the SAT and at least 700s on the SAT IIs. I'd recommend trying to bring those scores up a bit higher so they stand out more

Sci-Fry · 04-23-2008, 02:04 PM

^ I didn't even know it would be necessary to send SAT scores. Considering that the vast majority of their students don't take the SAT, I find it unusual that they use this to choose/compare applicants. Perhaps it's used to compare US applicants :/

frankchn · 04-23-2008, 04:44 PM

Yep, it is used to compare US and some other international applicants who are only offering APs. However, since jaydenxeick305 is taking the full IB Diploma, I am not sure whether SATs are still necessary. There will be an academic interview (i.e. interview consisting of the interviewer guiding the candidate through a problem-set in his/her major to assess knowledge and thinking skills) for Oxbridge though.

Also note that Oxbridge acceptances usually have very specific conditions that you have to meet (i.e. a 5 on A, B, C and D AP exams, or a 40 on the IB) before you are accepted.

cupcake · 04-24-2008, 04:50 PM

Quote:

I would really love to major in business at either of these schools.

see above. No undergraduate business school.
As also pointed out about, it specifically says on the web-sites of these schools that ECs are NOT taken into account. It's all about grades in relevant subjects (see posts above about IB points), and then the academic interview. Generally internationals are slightly less likely to get in. Most American students have competed at least 1 year at a US college before coming to the UK, but a small number do come direct from high school.

Quote:

Would I be someone these schools are looking for given my stats, my heritage, and the fact im a international student?

There is no such thing as AA in the UK (and it even if there was, you would be in the over-represented group).

I suggest you take a look at the web-sites of some UK schools and come back with some specific questions when you have some idea of what you are contemplating. It is a very different system.

bear in mind that
-you cannot apply to Oxford and Cambridge in the same year. One or the other
-The deadline for applications is 15th October 2008 for entry 2009 if you want to attend an interview in England. There are also interviews held in North America. If you would like to attend one of these interview dates you have to apply even earlier, usually around 20th September.
-you have to choose a subject when you apply. No minors, no switching (if you want to change subjects it is very likely you would have to drop out and start again)

There is a useful UK site similar to this called
www. the student room .co .uk
remove the spaces and the link will work.

Begoner · 04-24-2008, 05:23 PM

I'm also interested in applying to Oxford from the US (although my prospective major is PPE rather than business). Standardized US test scores and the interview (if it can be conducted in NY) aren't a problem, but on the college's web-site, it states that a particular exam is required. However, it appears to only be administered in the UK. Can the need to take this test be waived in view of either overseas residency or exceptional SAT scores (since the test is the TSAT, it seems to be roughly equivalent to the SAT)? Alternatively, is it possible for the test to be taken at a public high school in the US?

Elastine · 04-24-2008, 06:09 PM

^^^ Yeah it is taken at centers round the world. It can be taken at a large public school or your local british council.

Begoner · 04-24-2008, 07:19 PM

Well, I checked the web-site of the British Council in the US, but it said nothing about testing (although it did mention that it was located within the British Embassy and had extensive security measures in place, which wasn't very encouraging). I attend a medium-sized public school (~1200 students enrolled), but I'm fairly sure that nobody has taken a non-US exam here before; is it possible to arrange for the school to administer the test despite the fact that it has no British accreditation whatsoever? Oxford's web-site does say that a school could constitute a proper venue; however, it also says that a Test Center Declaration Form is required -- unfortunately, though, it says that the form can't be downloaded yet. Do you know of any other internationals who were able to take the test at their school?

Rosh420 · 04-24-2008, 07:44 PM

I literally made up my face after seeing your stats. No chance. Well, you have a chance, but it's so small that you might as well ignore it.

laxgurl0707 · 04-24-2008, 09:39 PM

i don't know your individ. SAT scores, but they need to be at least 700 for each... so def. work on your sat's, and i think the scores need to be from one sitting?