Scrapping into Oxford?

[fakenamefornow]

I think my y12 teen should try for Oxford, she thinks she shouldn't because she won't get in and it'll use up one of her Ucas options. I think she has a chance. Honest opinions please.
Context -
From excellent state school, never been on free school meals or other disadvantage indicators. Not tutored.
11 GCSEs - 6 grade 9, 5 grade 8
Doing chemistry, biology and history, A levels plus history related EPC
Want to study History

Actually, given the OP’s typo in the title, I’m going to suggest Oxford entrance exams are shelved in favour of hand-to-hand combat.

Reading with intrigue

<snort>

...surrounded by a circle of current students (all gowned up, of course) chanting 'Scrap! Scrap!'

Whereas if it's scrap-booking into Oxford, you have to pick a collage.

I love it.

FWIW, the fabulous children's author Diana Wynne Jones has a novel whose climax involves a fight where the enemy is a demon named Tripos. Her family members were Oxbridge dons; Tripos is the name for the three-legged stool on which would-be graduates were meant to sit to answer questions in their final oral exams (and still the name for the degree course at Cambridge). Hand to hand combat wouldn't be the weirdest thing ...

Gcse look ok to me. 4 other choices of university available so no issue there. Does DD want to try? Possibly not. Consider some info.

25% of applicants get in to study History
All exams are taken into account. Plus A level predictions.
HAT must be taken.Distribution of offers does not show highest scoring to get 100% of the offers.
PS is taken into account. You might be asked about it at interview. Plus additional reading/work.
Interviews are important
All candidates must submit an essay on a historical subject. Might be asked about this at interview.

My only slight reservation is the lack of a second essay subject. History A level is highly recommended so that box is ticked. Another subject with reading and analysis would have helped. Enthusiasm will help too. If she is prepared to do the extra work, have a go.

Durham, York and a good many other universities really would not be poor choices.

While throwing teddy bears, walking pet lobsters and giving poetry recitals via a megaphone to the plebs with the boat race in the background

*cuddling - not throwing

I think she should go for it. In part I'd err towards applying as history doesn't seem to be one of those super competitive courses where you risk having few or no offers. Might be a consideration if she also wanted to apply for St Andrews and Durham.

Most students at Oxford don't have all 9s at GCSE. From a state school it's rare. (OK, most girls from St Paul's do.)

I teach at Oxford. If your daughter is very interested in history she should come to an open day and see how she feels about the place. If she wants to apply, she has as good a shot as anyone else.

No one really wants to go to all 6 universities on their UCAS form, and no one can be guaranteed a place at any of them. So the wasting a spot argument isn't convincing.

But if she doesn't like the idea, she doesn't.

I also agree that tutors will like the science A-levels. Gives something to talk about in the interview ('is history a science?') and suggests a more academic and rigorous mind than, say, art/ politics/ economics/ sociology.

Maybe she should also consider PPE?

@hopsalong Since when is eg biology considered more academic than Economics or Politics? She ticks the box for history. There’s no indication on the Oxford website that the interview will be interested in her sciences other than she might be well advised to show breadth by linking historical aspects of biology and chemistry to show greater depth of history beyond the curriculum. However this advice applied to all subjects studied in addition to history.

@TiezrorFizz

I wouldn't say it's considered 'more academic'. But it's a much rarer combination of subjects and suggests a broader set of intellectual skills and interests.

Also, most of Oxford's applicants 'the the box'. 'Outside the box' is a lazy metaphor, but we're definitely looking for people who do more than tick the box.

@fakenamefornow, come and join us n the Oxbridge 2024 thread.

Oxbridge 2024 Entry www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/4753014-oxbridge-2024-entry

If you’re genuinely sure it’s a confidence issue and not just her genuinely now wanting to go I’d definitely continue to encourage her.

If she knows that she’s just as good as anyone else applying and stands an equal chance, then she’ll be able to make an informed decision. Also it’s not a waste of an option, in the end she can only have one firm and one insurance so 5 choices is plenty!

She might enjoy this YouTube video by a woman studying History at Keble College showing her daily routine and what it’s like studying there.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ckT0z4F509E

If you can get to an open day or even just visit then that might also be worthwhile. Even if she decides not to go for it I’m sure she’ll do well wherever she ends up.

My friend did exactly those a-levels and went to Oxford to read History. It may be an unusual combo, but it shows phenomenal academic ability to do well in those subjects. Although my friend enjoyed history, she ended up switching to Biochemistry after her first year. There can’t be many students who make that move, but it’s possible if you can convince the tutors you have the interest and ability to change course.
There are so many myths about Oxbridge - both at application stage and life once you get there. I often read threads on here and want to scream that so much of it is untrue!!
Your daughter has nothing to lose by applying.

Grades aren’t everything. I had very mediocre GSCEs and A-levels. Tutors, especially for humanities subjects, are looking for someone who is an interesting, original and persuasive thinker.
As for whether she should apply, it’s her call. There are a dozen other universities where she could excel. It would help if she felt like she belonged at Oxford and had the drive or desire to get there.

She has grade 8s and she doesn't want to. Also it's scraping not scrapping.

She should probably follow the Queensbury Rules.

I like what you did there.

Specifically what is it about Oxford that you think would benefit her other than it being 'Oxford' and 'sounds impressive'?

I also have a ds who is considering Oxford. DS is also very quiet and introverted but I don't think that's an issue. He is also wondering whether to apply but only because friends from the years above with cleans sweeps of 9s and A star predictions plus very High scores in tests didn't get through after interview. So even if on paper he is the perfect candidate , then there are no guarantees.

I do agree that a passion for thr subject does need to come through, rather than lots of all round achievements. This seems really great advice. Good luck to your dd.

It is a fair bit of extra pressure, to meet an early deadline. If she thinks she would enjoy a fast-paced course, then it's worth encouraging her.

I am a teacher, and help students with UCAS. I've seen very many students who are pressured into Oxbridge applications and resent it, but also some who are glad of the push (with hindsight). Also, I'm bound to say, all of the applicants are stellar. And most won't get an offer.

I went to Oxford, many many years ago, and I was adamant that luck played no part in it. I've since completely changed my mind.

My dd could have applied and probably would have got in. She chose not to. She got a first class masters degree elsewhere and how has an excellent job.

I'm with your daughter.