Gap year for Oxford but only with AAA?

[Whitlandcarm]

AAA (+A subj not taken)
Is it worth it? For a course with no entrance exam.
A*/A GCSE

[SerfTerf]

You mean take a gap year having got the A-level results, because now the AAA gives a shot at Oxford?

What's the course?

[Lowdoorinthewal1]

I'm not sure 3As will be enough will it? Was the DC in question planning a gap year anyway?

[LadyinCement]

Hmmmm, I think that post-A Level applicants are required to exceed the standard offer, especially with a subject that has no entrance exam.

[Whitlandcarm]

This is what we were also thinking. That's fine

[SerfTerf]

If it's something like Archeology and Anthropology and s/he can write a stonking PS with relevant experience and hobbies (for example) it might be worth a flutter.

[LadyinCement]

It might be worth going for a subject with an entrance exam - that way the student can stun the admissions people.

[Bluntness100]

I think it's worth getting the admission then requesting the deferral.

[SerfTerf]

I don't think that's the situation Blunt

[LadyinCement]

I think the OP's dc has achieved the AAA offer, and is considering trading up institution.

Asking to defer a place after it has been awarded is a no-no unless the student has an incredibly good reason, such as illness. Deferred places are only offered to spectacular students as the college has to be sure that they will be better than the next year's applicants. If you look at the statistics very few deferred places are offered.

[Whitlandcarm]

Sorry for the confusion - she has achieved the grades.

Incidentally it is for Arch&Anth or Classical arch and anc hist

[SerfTerf]

Arch & A has a better acceptance rate than many Oxford courses;

public.tableau.com/views/UoO_UG_Admissions2/AcceptanceRate?%3Aembed=y&%3Adisplay_count=yes&%3AshowTabs=y&%3AshowVizHome=no

If she's able to be fairly philosophical about a potential rejection and she'll use the year well, I'd be inclined to lean towards trying it.

[Lowdoorinthewal1]

I got my place deferred a year at point of offer because I was swimming at international level and had a year training abroad full time already organised.

I think it has to be something like that for Oxford- not just because you fancy a gap yah.

[Needmoresleep]

As long as she take the attitude that it is only one line on the form, and that she is happy going to one of her other choices, why not. Though she should also think a bit about how she would use a year out. Some of DDs friends did very little which they now regret.

[abilockhart]

Sorry for the confusion - she has achieved the grades.

Incidentally it is for Arch&Anth or Classical arch and anc hist

It's worth a shot.

She should use her gap year to beef up her personal statement.

[tropicalfish]

My dc took a gap year and applied to Oxford and got in as a re-applicant, the previous application was for a more competitive subject.
We went to the open day last June and went to talks about admissions and they stressed that they don't like people taking gap years because they feel that academically they will not cope with the high pace of work when they come.
I very much got the impression that personal statement wise you would have to emphasise your continuing application and interest in your subject during your gap year.
Remember the gap year is not just a year, its July to September.
I think its worth a shot. It might be worth contacting admissions and asking them what the statistics are for gap year applicants. We did this, and it was much lower than the other candidates who will have high predicted grades potentially 4 A*s.

[Bluntness100]

I'm confused, she has the grades, I get, but has she got an offer of a place?

[SerfTerf]

Elsewhere, presumably blunt.

It's a question of "stick or twist?"

[Lucysky2017]

I would not bother. There are enough with most A*s who don't get in to make it worth putting off a y ear of your life when she probably won't get in unless she is genuinely exceptional and loves the subject etc.

[RedHelenB]

I would give it a shot. I got an interview to do History (albeit a long time ago!) with lower grades in hand than they typically asked for and I loved my gap year. Nothing ventured nothing gained!

[Moominmammacat]

Give it a go ... I know a few who have got in with AAB ... and then got a 1st.

[senua]

As long as she take the attitude that it is only one line on the form, and that she is happy going to one of her other choices, why not.

This. Carpe diem!
Congrats to her on the results.

[SerfTerf]

If she's going to do it, she'd be well-advised to be quick about signing up for some Autumn digs.

[senua]

Ah! 'Digs' means excavations, not lodgings. That makes more sense.

[SerfTerf]

Ha, yes, archaeological digs

[Whitlandcarm]

Thank you for the other responses. Her job and volunteering means that she's involved with closely related kind of stuff.

She will email the relevant departments to try and get an insight. It really is a matter of stick or twist !

It's a gamble, as she'd have to pay full uni fees instead of £4.5k which is another factor. Although she could work to offset that slightly, but my husband is dead against it.

Her biggest fear is not getting an offer from her current first choice or 2nd.

Mamacat- are you an oxford tutor or just well aquainted with applicants?

She needs to decide soon so can pull out and sort a replacement for halls etc