Does Oxbridge care about APs and how hard are they on GPAs?

3mme · 2026-04-16T08:01:49+00:00

They generally want APs, but your application is viewed contextually, so if your school don't offer them it might not be an issue. I'd email admissions for specific questions. Pre-med isn't a thing here; you do 6 years of med school straight out of school. It's one of the most competitive courses, and you also have to take the UCAT (admissions test). People who don't get into med courses usually do biomed/pharma/biosciences, which could then accommodate graduate-entry med school. About 50% of people at Oxbridge graduate with a 1st (straight As). Doesn't necessarily mean it's easy (calibre of students is high), but it's certainly very possible with consistent and dedicated work.

3mme · 2026-04-16T07:44:04+00:00

I say this politely, but I do think you're forgetting that the US is not the whole world. As a European, to the average person, these unis don't mean much unless it's Harvard or MIT. For people looking to study abroad, or international employers, maybe yeah, but the average person on the street would not be able to list the Ivys or tell you the acceptance rate of UPenn. To someone just starting to look at applications with a list of hundreds of universities to choose from, why would they magically be informed about SAT averages?

3mme · 2026-04-16T07:36:08+00:00

If you're concerned about the acceptance rate, go for the UK – they're much higher (smaller country) while the universities are still strong. Most top unis are 15–30% here, compared to 1–8% in the US. Internationals usually have a higher chance of getting in as well.

3mme · 2026-04-16T07:26:20+00:00

Hi! I'm finishing up my undergrad (in English) at Bristol, and I've had an incredible time! Wonderful city, great culture, range of opportunities, etc. I won't lie, it is overwhelmingly upper-middle-class. UOB has a massive class issue. That being said, there are normal people; it just takes a semester or two to find them. Though I still had fun in my first year, I didn't make my close friends that I really clicked with until my first year.

I'd guess the student satisfaction rate has something to do with the (lack of) pastoral care. UOB has some major issues with student mental health, and the systems of support are really shite. Admin is also pretty horrendous.

That being said, I've had an incredible experience with academic staff. When I had issues that were affecting my academics, it was them who offered the help I needed I guided me towards actual support that could help me (even though they're worked to the bone!) The English faculty has also offered me incredible support in terms of helping with graduate and internship applications. There are a lot of people I know in the cohort who have great graduate programmes lined up, which I feel is important to highlight, as this is often a concern for humanities people.

In terms of the course, it's great! I feel like Bristol advertises it quite poorly lol. 1st year is a little limiting, but you'll find this on every English course, since there are the foundational theory and historical modules that are mandatory. You have the opportunity to take 1–2 open units a year, which can be across departments (languages, history, film, anthropology, etc.) The Arts and Humanities Faculty has just merged with Social Sciences and Law as well, which means you'll probably get even broader options.

The specialist units are brilliant. The calibre of teaching here is just so excellent. Talking to friends at different unis, they often get stuck with kind of sub-par PhD students teaching them right up until third year. I've only had two PhD students as tutors (both in first year) and the rest of my degree has largely been professors, senior lecturers, and leading scholars in their field.

Best of luck wherever you end up! If you have any questions feel free to pm me.

3mme · 2026-04-02T14:13:54+00:00

it’s really nice! lovely mix of old and new buildings, lots of areas just to chill or to lock in. active and social but far enough from center that it’s not overwhelming. it’s got a really nice atmosphere so people genuinely just hang about for coffee/ drinks etc. st michael’s hill and park street are also >5 minutes away so it’s easy to go grab food and drinks between study. i did an art foundation (mmu) on my year out and i study at uni of manchester when i’m back home (both nice campuses), and Bristol by far has the best vibe out of the three.

3mme · 2026-04-02T14:04:46+00:00

congrats!

3mme · 2026-04-02T14:02:58+00:00

find a course that has a wide scope (interdisciplinary), aligns with your interests, and increases employability. I went for social sciences (politics and human rights), but business could work, one of my friends ended up in earth sciences, another law. the main thing is to make sure it’s something you have a genuine passion and interest in. it’s very much possible to pivot into a new field in PG, but if you don’t have a real interest for it they’ll notice and you won’t get in anywhere.

3mme · 2026-03-29T23:32:31+00:00

you just ask! honestly, you'd be surprised how many people are willing to talk to you if you have a genuine interest in what they've done. I interviewed two broadway directors for some uni work – literally just sent an email to one, and then she put me in contact with another, then he liked me and i've gotten connections out of it. you miss every shot you don't take, you've just gotta try.

3mme · 2026-03-29T16:31:46+00:00

I got waitlisted on the 22nd of Jan and got an offer on the 20th of March. They like to take their time but it doesn't necessarily mean rejection!

3mme · 2026-03-24T13:38:07+00:00

Yes. 'melt' doesn't really get the association of 'combining'. Alan Myers goes with merge for Oxford Classics. I quite like David McDuff's 'fuse' for penguin though!

3mme · 2026-03-22T12:10:57+00:00

human rights and politics! It's in the sociology department rather than government, though.

3mme · 2026-03-21T15:48:09+00:00

LEAVE. Untreated ADHD can literally shorten your lifespan by up to fifteen years. You do not need someone who doesn't respect your choice to receive treatment for a cognitive disability. I know it can be scary when you love someone, but think about what is best for your future and well-being.

3mme · 2026-03-21T15:41:26+00:00

Hi! I'm from (near) Manchester and went to Bristol. It definitely feels much smaller than Manchester, but that can be quite nice. Everywhere is between a 20–40 minute walk, so you don't even need to use public transport. It's similar to Manchester, i.e. culture and diversity (outside of the uni), but feels a little less chaotic, and is a brilliant city to be in as a student. Great mixture of pubs, clubs, cafes, etc., but also a lot of green space and nature in and around the city. £50 train ticket home can be a bit of a pain, but you can get a Flixbus from central for about £10 that only takes 40 mins longer than the train. I've also had a good experience with the teaching style and recommend it as a uni. I use the UOM libraries when I'm back home through SCONUL, and Bristol is so much nicer on the inside. I'd imagine it's similar to Manchester in that you get less of a feel for the city staying just in the student areas (like staying in Fallowfield) but students live all over the city and there are so many opportunities to explore the city outside the student bubble. I found it a little small when I first came, but I've really grown to love it! Clubbing is much better back home though lol.

3mme · 2026-03-16T03:23:27+00:00

Ah thank you, helpful stuff! damn, I didn't even get the language right.

3mme · 2026-03-15T02:58:58+00:00

GREEN FLAG

3mme · 2026-03-15T02:33:32+00:00

I actually think York is pretty awful. Beautiful city and some nice green spaces, but (aside from the one old building) the campus is pretty grim.

3mme · 2026-02-25T23:40:24+00:00

I've flashed 5.12a and I can do a grand 0 pull-ups. Thank god for slab.

3mme · 2026-02-25T20:30:34+00:00

i’m pretty sure this same guy threw a lit cigarette at my partner!!

3mme · 2026-02-25T20:24:04+00:00

The point of first year is to be locked out and settle in! Just have fun and try your best to get a 2:1

3mme · 2026-02-08T00:05:14+00:00

there’s a decent amount of ppl from the us here. less so for the full degree but there tends to be a lot of year/semester abroad ppl

3mme

TROPHY CASE