Oxford is the leading academic destination for several Americans studying in the UK. This academic institution is consistently rated among the best ten universities globally and arguably the best in the UK.
If you are an American looking to study at this prestigious institution and don’t know how to secure admission into Oxford, this article is for you.
Read on to find out what you have to do to get into Oxford as an American.
The Oxford American Connection
Oxford is the number one choice of several American students in the UK. This school has produced more than 26,000 American graduates since its establishment, far more than any other country.
This is not surprising because Oxford admits international students from the US more than any other country.
The same scenario holds for their staff base, with Americans making up a large percentage of their foreign faculty.
Furthermore, educators from Oxford University collaborate on research projects and other educational activities with their colleagues from American universities more than in any other country.
The US government has shown immense dedication to the academic development of Oxford University since the inception of the school.
The US government makes huge contributions to the research of Oxford University than any other country.
The Rothermere American Institute at Oxford, commissioned in 2001 by the then President of the United States, Bill Clinton, was sponsored by the US government.
Bachelor’s Degree Programs at Oxford University
Oxford University offers a wide variety of learning options.
They provide full-time bachelor’s degree programs, full-time graduate degree programs, junior-year abroad degree programs, part-time distance learning programs, and summer school for adults.
Oxford’s bachelor’s degree programs are more advanced than American universities’ courses.
However, students are not allowed to double major or choose minors but are expected to pick a degree program that suits their interests and academic results.
All freshmen at Oxford take the same classes before eventually taking specialized classes as they proceed to higher levels.
While a bachelor’s degree program in the US takes four years to complete, a traditional undergraduate program in the UK takes just three years to complete.
Science students are the only exceptions to this, as they must do an extra year to enroll in a master’s degree program.
Also, some academic programs at Oxford University, for instance, language-related programs, take four years to complete.
For this degree program, while the first three years are used for acquiring theoretical knowledge, the last year is used for residency-styled training in a country that speaks that language.
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Oxford University’s Admission Requirements
To get into Oxford University, an applicant must fulfill two major requirements:
- SAT reasoning test with a score of not less than 1,400 in the critical reasoning and mathematics section and not less than 700 in the writing section OR a minimum score of 32 out of 36 on the ACT.
- Grade 5 in at least three AP exams in relevant subjects
How To Apply To Oxford University
You can successfully apply to Oxford University by following the steps below:
1. Apply through UCAS
While Common App is popular with many American students, UCAS, the UK equivalent of the Common App, is the platform where you can simultaneously apply as an American student to study at several UK universities.
However, unlike with the Common App, where applicants can pick more than one course when applying; you can only choose one program when applying to study at Oxford University.
Also, you cannot apply to study at Oxford University and Cambridge University simultaneously and within the same year.
On the UCAS portal, you are expected to upload your high school academic record and a statement that discusses the reasons behind your choice of course.
Still, on the same portal, there is a provision for uploading a letter of recommendation from your school counselor or teacher.
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2. Take an admissions test or send some written work
You cannot enroll in several programs at Oxford University if you don’t either take an admissions test or send some written work. Some courses may even demand that you do the two of them.
If you are unsure what your preferred course demands, visit www.ox,ac,uk/courses to confirm. However, if you take an admission test, ensure your results are ready before the deadline.
3. Participate in an interview
After the application round has ended, if you send in a robust application, Oxford University will surely invite you for an interview.
However, you can arrange a virtual interview if you cannot travel all the way to the school’s campus. The interviews are always intense, and the school uses them as a form of assessment.
For instance, if you want to get into a science program, the school can ask you to solve a mathematical question. On the other hand, humanities degree applicants will likely be given a piece of English work to analyze.
4. Wait for the admission letter
If Oxford University successfully accepts your application, they will send you an offer around mid-January.
But, the school can cancel its offer if you are still in high school when the new academic session is about to commence.
If you eventually complete your studies and maintain the grades that earned you a place at Oxford University in the first place, you can retain your admission spot.
What does Oxford University look out for in Their Applicants?
Oxford University has admission criteria different from those of its American counterparts. This school considers the academic ability of applicants above anything else.
Although American schools also take academic records seriously when assessing applicants, unlike them, Oxford University does not consider the extracurricular activities records of applicants when assessing them for admission.
This is why academic professors at Oxford University are responsible for admission interviews and selecting college students.
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What is Oxford University’s School Fee?
Oxford University offers the same level of education as the ivy-league schools in the United States.
However, the cost of education at Oxford University is cheaper than that of these world-class US colleges since students only get to spend three years in school as against the four years obtainable in US colleges.
This institution even has several top-notch academic resources preventing students from spending much money on education costs in school.
For instance, they have several fully-equipped libraries that prevent the need for students to spend money on the purchase of study materials.
Scholarships and Financial Aids
Oxford University offers no financial support to international students except the Rhodes scholarship, which is open to only second-year students.
However, Oxford’s American students can apply for federal loans through the US Direct Loan Programme.
The money released for these loans is enough to cover the cost of education for many programs at Oxford University.
US students at Oxford also have the liberty to select a private student loan via Sallie Mae.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) On How To Get Into Oxford As An American
Oxford University has an acceptance rate of about 15%. This implies that it is a complex university to gain admission into.
Oxford University is regarded as the best school for medical education.
The most brutal degrees to get at Oxford are Aerospace engineering, pharmacy, nursing, physics, psychology, and statistics.
Oxford has a minimum GPA requirement of 4.5 out of 5.0 for applicants seeking admission.
Conclusion
Oxford is the most popular educational destination for American students schooling in the United Kingdom,
This is hardly unexpected, given that this university is routinely ranked in the world’s top 10 and is widely considered the best in the United Kingdom.
If you are an American interested in studying at Oxford but don’t know how to apply, I hope this post has clarified the process for you.
But to do well academically here, you’ll need to study hard, build rapport with your teachers, and find a way to mix schoolwork with other interests.
Awesome one; I hope this article answers your question.
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