Anonymous
Post 05/15/2025 21:20     Subject: Applying to Oxford
Anonymous wrote:My daughter is a soon to be high schooler and wants to start preparing to apply to go to Oxford. She wants to major in physics has anyone ever had a child who attended/attends Oxford? If so can you give me tips when applying?


Anonymous
Post 05/15/2025 21:14     Subject: Applying to Oxford
Physics at Oxford is well regarded, although its true that Cambridge and Imperial are probably the two strongest UK schools for Physics.
Anonymous
Post 05/15/2025 21:12     Subject: Applying to Oxford
Anonymous wrote: You can check the oxford website for required AP subjects, which vary by the course (major) you apply for. also you can apply to only 1 of Oxford or Cambridge, not both. And the maximum schools you can apply is 5 on UCAS. (UK equivalent of the common app)


This is about right. And for any UK admissions, demonstrated academic performance relevant to the degree applied to is weighted more than ECs.
Anonymous
Post 05/15/2025 20:45     Subject: Applying to Oxford
Isn't Oxford a pretty simple "submit your scores, get admitted if they are high" application?
Anonymous
Post 05/15/2025 20:40     Subject: Applying to Oxford
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote: You can check the oxford website for required AP subjects, which vary by the course (major) you apply for. also you can apply to only 1 of Oxford or Cambridge, not both. And the maximum schools you can apply is 5 on UCAS. (UK equivalent of the common app)


+1 Read the Oxford website for more info. Most courses of study require an in-person exam (at Oxford on a given day). It's a very different type of admissions relative to the USA.


This info is decades out of date. The required exams, depending on the field of study, can be taken at Pearson Vue at most locations. You do need to take them on the specific date, same as UK students (who usually take them at their schools).
Anonymous
Post 05/15/2025 20:25     Subject: Applying to Oxford
Anonymous wrote:If physics, she better be beyond an absolute stand out, not just in her state, but the entire country.


Lol the Oxford kids from Britain are not standouts. I know several. They are smart and hardworking. But far from genius. Our kids at schools like Yale Caltech and MIT are far superior.
Anonymous
Post 05/15/2025 19:50     Subject: Applying to Oxford
Cambridge is known for STEM and Oxford is more for government. She should do her research.
Anonymous
Post 05/15/2025 19:35     Subject: Applying to Oxford
Anonymous wrote: You can check the oxford website for required AP subjects, which vary by the course (major) you apply for. also you can apply to only 1 of Oxford or Cambridge, not both. And the maximum schools you can apply is 5 on UCAS. (UK equivalent of the common app)


+1 Read the Oxford website for more info. Most courses of study require an in-person exam (at Oxford on a given day). It's a very different type of admissions relative to the USA.
Anonymous
Post 05/15/2025 19:18     Subject: Applying to Oxford
You can check the oxford website for required AP subjects, which vary by the course (major) you apply for. also you can apply to only 1 of Oxford or Cambridge, not both. And the maximum schools you can apply is 5 on UCAS. (UK equivalent of the common app)
Anonymous
Post 05/15/2025 19:17     Subject: Applying to Oxford
If physics, she better be beyond an absolute stand out, not just in her state, but the entire country.
Anonymous
Post 05/15/2025 19:14     Subject: Applying to Oxford
Anonymous wrote:You need 5s on at least 5 AP exams.

But other than planning to take rigorous classes, what your 8th grader wants is likely to be very different from what she wants in 12th grade, both location and major. Encourage flexibility and bring open to learning new things.




They won't change wanting to go to Oxford. She has wanted to go there for a long time and it is very in tune with her life plans. Also, she has loved physics for again a long time and is very good at it. This most likely won't change in the next five years.
Anonymous
Post 05/15/2025 19:03     Subject: Applying to Oxford
Anonymous wrote: Not 5 exams actually. either 4 or 3 with a 1470 on the SAT to apply for physics.



PP - when I say 4 or there I mean fives on 3-4 AP exams. Not to score a 3 or 4.
Anonymous
Post 05/15/2025 19:02     Subject: Applying to Oxford
Anonymous wrote:You need 5s on at least 5 AP exams.

But other than planning to take rigorous classes, what your 8th grader wants is likely to be very different from what she wants in 12th grade, both location and major. Encourage flexibility and bring open to learning new things.




Not 5 exams actually. either 4 or 3 with a 1470 on the SAT to apply for physics.
Anonymous
Post 05/15/2025 18:58     Subject: Applying to Oxford
You need 5s on at least 5 AP exams.

But other than planning to take rigorous classes, what your 8th grader wants is likely to be very different from what she wants in 12th grade, both location and major. Encourage flexibility and bring open to learning new things.
Anonymous
Post 05/15/2025 18:55     Subject: Applying to Oxford
My daughter is a soon to be high schooler and wants to start preparing to apply to go to Oxford. She wants to major in physics has anyone ever had a child who attended/attends Oxford? If so can you give me tips when applying?