<p>Which of the two applicants would have the better chance at Harvard Kennedy School of Government?</p>
<p>A. American student goes to Oxford University Politics/Philosophy/Economics course, does well there, and applies to KSG.</p>
<p>B. American student goes to Yale (or any other comparable school) does well there, and applies to KSG.</p>
<p>Which would have the better chance? Would they have roughly same the chance? Would Harvard like an American student who studies abroad at a distinguished university as opposed to an Americcan who goes to a distinguished American univ?</p>
<p>Assume same grades, EC, and standardized test scores.</p>
<p>Are you considering applying to Oxford then?</p>
<p>I am applying to Oxford this coming year, and so I have investigated this system quite extensively. As far as I can tell, this university is as well regarded as most of its American counterparts, so the choice between an applicant from Oxford and an applicant from an American uni would not be based on prestige.</p>
<p>But, there are some other things to consider. The British system of education is quite different than the American one. If you are not prepared, it might hurt you academically, which would certainly put you at a disadvantage. Also, if you applied to graduate school in the US from the UK, you would be applying with predicted grades, as final degree classifications are not released until well after the admissions process was over. This would mean you would most likely be made a conditional offer, which is more stressful, to say the least. </p>
<p>Of course, upon the likelihood of having to choose between Oxford or another American uni, you should really go with what you believe will benefit you academically, and not what looks good on paper.</p>
<p>Yes, you do receive exam grades from the first and second years of Oxford, but the third year is the one that truly determins your degree classification.</p>
<p>I’m not looking to argue a point with you. If you felt that you knew the answers ahead of time, then you shouldn’t have asked the question. It’s a matter of opinion, when you get down to it, and I was just looking to help. Sorry if my reply was not what you wanted to hear.</p>
<p>From what I’ve heard it’s easier to get into Oxford as an international student. I would still recommend Harvard. I feel it’s a much better institution for PPE (US comparison that is).
Oxford’s on my list too ;)</p>
<p>Thank you for your post, I did not know that the third year exam results were the most improtant and would not come in time for college applications. </p>
<p>But if you were to take a year or so off after undergrad, this would not be a problem right?</p>
<p>Also, do you know if Harvard tends to like American students who have gone to distinguished international universities ?</p>
<p>yisroel: Yes, but I think the ultimate education one could receive, if one was interested in a government position, is Oxford PPE for undergrad AND Harvard KSG for grad.</p>
<p>I don’t know about Harvard, but Euan Blair (Tony Blair’s eldest son) could not get into Oxford (didn’t have the necessary A-level results). He ended up getting a less-than-impressive degree in England from a second-tier school (Bristol). Surprsingly however, he is currently a graduate (master’s) student at Yale on a full scholarship. That tells a lot about meritocracy in US universities !</p>
<p>I am a Montreal student + applied to PPE at Oxford. Got an interview. I was really wondering how to prepare for the interview. Also I was wondering if anybody knew the requirements for international students (no A-levels or SATs) … What grades are they going to look at and what do they expect ? Thanks</p>
<p>In most subjects there are two formal sets of university exams, one in the 1st year and one at the end of the (usually) 3 year course. This is certainly the case for PPE.</p>
<p>The 1st set is called Prelims or Mods depending on the subject. They are graded (1st/2nd/3rd or Pass/Fail or Bene/Satis/Non Satis when I read History!) and passing them is necessary if you want to stay on for the rest of your degree. However, the grade you get then has no bearing at all on the quality of your final degree.</p>
<p>The university Finals (very different to finals in US colleges) come at the end of the 3 year course, and in most cases your degree classification entirely depends on them (sometimes with dissertations or practicals thrown in). That makes them very stressful, as does the amount of work you have to do for them. (E.g. for my History Finals I had to sit 10 3-hour exams, 2 a day for 5 days, writing 28 essays and 18 commentaries on passages from set texts.)</p>
<p>There are also informal exams (called collections) set by the college at the beginning of each term which are basically a reprise of the previous term’s work. When it comes to applications for postgraduate courses tutors will be very well practised on providing references etc based on the quality of your ongoing work. Equally US institutions like Harvard that are used to having applications from the UK will know about the system and how to accommodate it.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t think having Oxford undergrad would have any negative impact on your graduate school chances. As long as you are as active and passionate as a similar student from HYP, why would that hold you back? Particularly if you are looking into international studies or diplomacy or something similar. Either way, US students at Oxford [haven’t</a> been too hard done](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:American_Rhodes_scholars]haven’t”>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:American_Rhodes_scholars) by later in their careers.</p>
<p>^^^ I think its a given that having an oxford undergrad degree would not have a negative impact.
The question is whether or not it will have a positive impact… i think</p>
<p>In the UK, Bristol is seen as a university for ‘Oxbridge-rejects’. As such, many of Britain’s best students still end up there. I think applying the term ‘second-tier’ to Bristol is rather uncharitable, but in the sense that it isn’t as competitive at undergaduate level as Oxbridge or the Ivy League colleges I guess it’s technically correct.</p>
<p>screwed,
If you are American and attend Oxford for college, most people would question why?? Assuming you want to get into politics and/or be an ambassador, having gone to Oxford and Harvard will not get you to Washington. Whereever you go to school, become highly active in the campus environment to make a name for yourself so that you can get a feel of the political process. Then try your best to get an internship with some government official and start pressing the flesh! If your dad can stroke a check, that will make going to any prestigious college irrelevant.</p>