Page 60 - Future Leaders 2018-2019

WILL YOU TAKE MY
BACKGROUND INTO
ACCOUNT?
Yes, we look at each
application in detail
including your school
context. For example, if
you’re not at the best school
but you have still achieved
good GCSE grades, we take
that into account. We also
look at other factors such as
your school’s performance
at GCSEs and A-levels (or
equivalent), if you live in a
disadvantaged area, how
many students from that
area go to university, and if
you’ve been in care.
We know that students
don’t all have the same
opportunities, so the grades
you get at school may not tell
the full picture of your
potential. That’s why we look
at each application in such
detail: we want to understand
what you have achieved, and
also what you could achieve if
you study here at Oxford.
Samina Khan, Director of
Undergraduate Admissions
and Outreach

DO YOU MAKE LOWER OFFERS WHAT WILL MY JOB
FOR CERTAIN TYPES OF PROSPECTS BE LIKE?
STUDENT? Whatever course you choose,
No. We use contextual information to studying at Oxford prepares you
help compare students from different for a broad range of careers, and
backgrounds, but our offers range from our dedicated Careers Service
A*A*A to AAA at A-level (or another is committed to supporting our
equivalent) depending on the course. students for life. Oxford graduates
We don’t make lower offers because often earn as much as 30% more
we know that so many students, from than those who study the same
all backgrounds, already achieve top subject at other universities. Also
grades. Also we want all our students a higher proportion of Oxford
to be admitted on their own merit so graduates from ethnic minorities
that they know – and everyone else progress to ‘highly skilled
knows – they are equal to the rest of employment or further study’ than
their peer group. white students.
What really helped me in my Oxford is an intense
application was really believing environment to be in but it’s
in myself, that I was good enough and absolutely worth it for the skills you
I can contribute something unique and gain, the people you meet, and the
powerful to the university. The belief that opportunities you become exposed
you are capable of making a strong to. You get to explore your subject in
application, and that your background great depth and expand on your
and experiences are of immense value academic interests, but you also gain
alongside your passion for your subject, experiences that set you up to leave
is what will really drive you to make university as a well-rounded and
the most out of your application. dynamic person.
Ephraim Conteh, student Kalyna El Kettas, student

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