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Can anyone give me information on Oxford conditional offers? I have been seeing reference to the term on some threads and I want to learn more. Thanks

By Shelinda (Shelinda) on Sunday, January 19, 2003 - 05:10 am: Edit

You are given a place on condition you get certain grades or marks (e.g. AAB) on your final high school exams (i.e. A-levels, or whatever you are doing). The Oxford and Cambridge conditional offers seem to have gone up this year...usually they are around the AAB mark...this year, mine is AAA, and I know someone who has to get AAAA AND do two extra maths papers.

By 4va on Monday, January 20, 2003 - 12:07 am: Edit

Is it possible to get conditional offers if your in the US?

By Shelinda (Shelinda) on Monday, January 20, 2003 - 01:36 pm: Edit

I think so, but you'd be better off checking with the admissions office to be sure. I guess it would be conditional on whatever exams you have left to do...if you don't have any, i guess it would be an unconditional offer (i.e. you're in).

But I'm not totally sure.

By Meg on Wednesday, January 29, 2003 - 09:04 pm: Edit

It is possible to get conditional offers from the US. Mine are based on APs. Kind of irritating actually, as I've already taken 6 (7 if you count both econ ones separately). I've put together an appeal with extra recs, etc. explaining why a conditional offer is too risky for me to accept, but odds are that I'm stuck.

By 4va on Wednesday, January 29, 2003 - 09:09 pm: Edit

Meg...could you explain more in depth how you recieved a conditional offer? How did they contact you? What made them notice you? And do they recruit from IB students? Thank you!

By Meg on Wednesday, January 29, 2003 - 09:37 pm: Edit

Sure. I've been interested in reading a particular course at Cambridge for ages, since before freshman year. I visited during the summer before junior year and met with a professor (having an uncle who works there helped with this). I applied through the usual system, which requires a UCAS form (their common app) and a Cambridge supplement. I had to choose a particular college at Cambridge to apply to. Instead of having me come to interview, they had me send essays and a letter, but I'm not sure whether or not every Cambridge college this instead of interviews for international students. I would like to think my essays and personal statements were good, but my test scores (very good) were probably what got me the offer. Offer: 5's on APs in French Language and Latin Literature

By 4va on Wednesday, January 29, 2003 - 11:55 pm: Edit

Thanks so much Meg, you've been a big help. By the way...did you contact Oxford and tell them you were interested in their school throughout high school. Does letting them knw your interested help? And if so, how do you do this?

By Meg on Thursday, January 30, 2003 - 10:12 am: Edit

You can only apply to either Oxford or Cambridge, so pick early. Then start researching. the colleges and courses. You have to apply to do a specific course (you can't take classes outside your major) and to a specific college, so work out what you want to do. I would suggest emailing the Director of Studies for your subject at your college of preference. I don't know if early contact helps, but I imagine it might, especially if you don't get asked to interview.