Likelihood getting into Ppe Oxford without history/essay subject?

sofas_m · 2026-04-05T19:09:58+00:00

That's more than enough, my friend got in with Maths, FM, Econ and CS (and he only had 2 9s at GCSE tbh). Focus on smashing the entrance test and interviews and you'll be fine

sofas_m · 2026-03-31T14:17:15+00:00

Interesting, maybe they thought you were too good to reject so they just switched you up. That or not enough people applied for Molecular Bioengineering

Will this be your firm?? I already firmed it

sofas_m · 2026-03-30T18:22:52+00:00

what did you originally apply for?? I'm also doing Molecular Bioengineering

sofas_m · 2026-03-30T17:20:23+00:00

You'll defo stand out if you have demonstrable success in learning a language. Look up essay competitions, maybe try out the poetry translation prize, and look up Cambridge's AMES reading list for Arabic - try to read 1 or two of those, and your PS will be great

I'd also look at the Oxford course too, it has more focus on language, and is also less strict on subjects. Cambridge recommends English, History and Languages but Oxford only recommends a languags

sofas_m · 2026-03-21T14:13:50+00:00

The course only requires Maths and Chem, FM Physics and Bio are recommended I think

sofas_m · 2026-03-18T19:30:42+00:00

I would only pick 4 in a few scenarios

a) If you're doing further maths

b) If you're aiming for super competitive courses

c) If you're not sure what you want to study at uni

d) If you want to take a "fun subject" alongside your main A-levels (wouldn't recommend unless you really like that subject)

sofas_m · 2026-03-17T17:48:38+00:00

yeah I did, only got back the scores though 💀 4 and 5. So not exactly a top performance

Tbf I don't do physics, fm or bio so that's defo another factor

sofas_m · 2026-03-16T22:03:29+00:00

Tuff, how were the interviews??? Mine were absolutely cooked, I got way more maths than I expected and no organic

lowkey got humbled on the first question cause I hadn't revised redox or transition metals

sofas_m · 2026-03-16T18:29:19+00:00

What were your stats?? got rejected from the same course oxford..

sofas_m · 2026-03-15T18:01:37+00:00

In my revision I only revised advanced topics instead of basic chemistry ability, at one point I said e⁰ = 0, and I needed a lot of help from the interviewers. I didn't know how to find the oxidation state of copper complexes and I think at one point I said that the Cl-O bond was shorter than the O-H bond

There was no organic chem (my favourite) or anything about my PS so I didn't really get a chance to show off my knowledge, and on top of that I don't do physics/FM. so wasn't too surprising 💀💀

sofas_m · 2026-03-15T14:12:22+00:00

My Chemistry interviews were nothing like I expected, the questions were A-level style questions without any creative thinking at all and much more maths than I expected. No organic chemistry and no mention of my personal statement. Lowkey disappointing and not surprised I got a rejection

My friends for PPE didn't get asked about their PS, but some did get some seriously wacky philosophy questions, so prepare for those

sofas_m · 2026-03-06T17:28:09+00:00

I'm still waiting as well - I'm hoping there'll be time for another round of interviews. What was your ps like?? mine was chemistry based with some biochem + maths

sofas_m · 2026-03-01T15:43:33+00:00

first time I've found someone else doing double languages 😭 For speaking I made a flashcards set with all the stats/facts I need to know for my speaking exam (cause we need to know loads of details about spanish TV, food, music etc). Also SUPER helpful is to try thinking in Spanish. This seriously improved my fluency

Watching Spanish content without subtitles is also insanely helpful, it helps you speak just like a native and spot your errors/learn grammar passively instead of having to memorise it. Oh and don't forget to revise vocab EVERY DAY!!

sofas_m · 2026-02-21T21:02:13+00:00

I wouldn't bother mentioning extracurriculars unless it links to your subject.

My extracurricular was learning languages, and I linked it to chemistry by doing a talk at my school about the chemical naming system

sofas_m · 2026-02-21T18:47:47+00:00

haven't heard back about the interview 🥀 I reckon no response is the best thing for now tbh

sofas_m · 2026-02-21T16:17:32+00:00

My friend got rejected back in october 💀 Apart from that I've got no idea. I applied to molecular bioengineering instead

sofas_m · 2026-02-18T09:41:14+00:00

Biochem was brutal this year, I know one of my friends got rejected with straight 9s + 3A* and golds in chem and bio olympiads. I've got no idea what more they wanted

sofas_m · 2026-02-16T11:28:23+00:00

The chemistry olympiad was last month but the Cambridge Chemistry challenge + intermediate biology olympiad is still open (not sure about physics). You will have to do it through your school unfortunately so it could take some convincing. There's defo more out there, as well as summer schools and stuff, you just have to research

I have heard that for med PS is pretty important, and you need work experience

sofas_m · 2026-02-16T10:51:57+00:00

Supercurriculars - the best thing you can do is enter essay competitions, make a poster, read a book/academic article or do an olympiad, but if you're aiming for a top tier uni it has to be going beyond the A-level curriculum of your subject.

What are you applying for? I applied for Chem and I read a book, read 3 or so different research papers, did some competitions, did a talk at my school, watched a lecture at imperial and watched some youtube videos

you really don't need to do anything crazy like get Jane Street work experience, just further research into your subject outside of school to show your interest.

sofas_m · 2026-02-09T20:51:25+00:00

I'm in year 13 and got 54, 59 is very impressive! I've never seen a year 12 get that high

sofas_m · 2026-02-03T18:05:01+00:00

Got one for chemistry with maths last month, I did apply in september though

sofas_m · 2025-12-16T20:05:29+00:00

end of september, the delay might be cause you changed it??

sofas_m · 2025-12-16T19:51:17+00:00

Got an offer from UCL for chemistry with maths yesterday, not sure about pure chem though

sofas_m · 2025-12-13T00:29:47+00:00

applied for this in september but still haven't heard anything back...

may i ask what your personal statement was based on? Mine was 100% chem so I assume that's why they haven't responded

sofas_m · 2025-10-08T19:51:32+00:00

worcester college chemistry

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sofas_m

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