<p>hello all, i’d just like to ask you all if what i’m about to do is worth doing–and whether you yourselves would do it if you were in my place.</p>
<p>you see, i graduated year 2005 from a private, catholic school in the philippines with a normal filipino high school diploma; no A-levels, no IB, no AP or any of those school-leaving exams… filipino high schools offer only the normal, filipino high school diploma (but modesty aside, graduated in the top 1% of the class, with very high marks)
afterwhich i spent 10 months in japan with an exchange scholar.
right now i’m a freshman in an american-style university somewhere in europe (had no choice but to come here). i feel that the place i’m in is not very intellectually stimulating; i really think i’m better off somewhere else. i really want to transfer to a university in the UK. but my parents wouldn’t let me, unless it’s oxford or cambridge.</p>
<p>having weighed the differences, i’ve decided that oxford is a better match for me. now, when i reach the beginning of my sophomore year (august/september 2007), i will be applying to oxford (as a first-year student, of course; oxford doesn’t transfer credits earned elsewhere). i plan to study japanese studies (oriental studies)–am really into the japanese language and culture after having lived there. my japanese level is pretty above-average (took the japanese language proficiency test). having the filipino high school diploma, two years of university studies (well, just a year when i apply–but 2 years if ever i get accepted), and an immersion with japanese culture (what i want to study) under a scholarship, is it realistic to apply to oxford? :(</p>
<p>Yes i think you should apply.
The single most important part of an application to oxford is your ability to show your passion for the subject. You should be abel convince them that you really really want to study oriental studies and are not simply interested in getting the degree at the end.
your qualifications will be fine as long as you manage to do well in the interview (thats the crucial part)</p>
<p>Edinburgh is one of the top 5 schools in the UK in most subjects. (It is the one that comes right after Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, LSE and UCL all times, and is ahead of some of those depending on the subject)</p>
<p>Other than the colleges i’ve listed, maybe add to the list: Durham, Manchester, Bath, Bristol, York and SOAS…to stretch it maybe add Loughborough also… but thats about as far as it goes
i don’t think any of the other unis are any good
don’t know about sheffield</p>
<p>thank you all for the replies. i think i’ll stick with oxford, edinburgh, SOAS, and sheffield. i’ve asked some colleges in oxford whether i would meet entry requirements, and all of them have said yes.
edinburgh, SOAS and sheffield have not yet confirmed, though, but i’ll try.</p>
<p>please tell me though if there’s something else i should know about! thanks and more power to you guys. good luck with the admissions process.</p>
<p>Nothing else…your personal statement is probably the most important factor (except at oxford - there its the interview)…so u should really make it stand out. Use it to show your passion for the subjects you’ve chosen and you’ll be fine</p>
<p>just forgot… u probably already submitted your application and PS… if you didn’t … you’ve missed the deadline
Now u just need to wait…
Good luck</p>
<p>is imperial wye the same as imperial? same diploma? do people take it seriously? i am confused esp. since imperial is no longer part of the u of london so i’m not sure what diploma i’ll get if i choose to attend imperial wye. i certainly dont want “imperial wye” on my diploma.</p>
:(</p>