i recently did my GCSES, i got 3 A*s, 3As and 3Bs...what sort of GCSE results do the average oxbridge pupils get? is it like straight A*s?? can anyone who went or goes now tell me what they got in their GCSES? i know you have to get 3 As in A level at least. BUt if i got that and got in to there, would i probbly have the worst GCSE results there?!
2007-03-05 01:18:27 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
I know a few cambridge and oxford grads, and they never talk about their GCSEs (one did before she started cambridge, she had a b or two).
At doing GCSE's, you're way too young to dwell on the past.
They are just ordinary people. I couldn't believe some of the people who got accepted, a girl who didn't even know how to use a computer at sixteen! But then, she must have known something that I don't.
2007-03-05 02:13:32 · answer #1 · answered by dude 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hi. Don't worry about getting straight A*s. I didn't and I'm at Cambridge now. You wouldn't by any means be the worst so don't worry about that. You're right about the A Levels - you will need 3 As, but my advice for applying is this:
- you need to be really into your subject. by that I mean doing more than what you do in the classroom: try and read a few extra books, keep up to date with things in the news concerning your subject, if you can join a club at school.
-come on some open days if you can. I don't know about Oxford, but Cambridge has lots of open days. There are subject ones and ones for colleges. The link to details about open days is:
http://www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/opendays/
As you'd imagine, there are some people with super dooper GSCEs and A LEvels, who as well as achieving top grades have played for Hockey for England and climbed mountains in their summer holidays, but they are a very VERY small minority. Most are ordinary people who got mainly A*s/As and a few Bs at GCSE.
What I'd also encourage you to do is to get in contact with the admissions office. It might sound a bit too early, but they are the one's that will tell you for sure. The problem with going purely on answers from here is that we're not the ones making the decision. As well as giving you a definete yes of no to your GCSEs (and I really don't think they'll say no) the admissions office will be able to give you lots of advice on applying and tips on the interview and stuff.
I'm sure Oxford have a similar set up too.
Good luck with whatever you choose.
2007-03-05 14:12:11 · answer #2 · answered by distant_foe 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
As someone has mentioned, having straight As doesn't necessarily guarantee you a place in Oxbridge, so don't just set your sights on the grades.
Obviously you'll need the grades. But other people who get straight As don't necessarily get in. I think they probably look for more 'All-rounders' as well. If you have a particular sport or music hobby that may well stand in your favour too.
But A-Levels are what Universities generally use in the first instance to judge admissions by.
2007-03-05 11:34:58 · answer #3 · answered by hevs 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Even having 10 A*s at GCSE's and 3 As at A-level is no guarantee you'll get in, as competition is so high.
2007-03-05 09:26:11 · answer #4 · answered by Captain Flaps 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋