Hi everyone,

Let's start a thread for the Oxford class of 2014 to keep each other updated about the application process.

Who else will be applying? Has anyone applied yet? As the deadline to submit applications is 18 January 2013, I think it's time to prepare everything now.

Arun

No no no no no no no!!
I'm on the BCL now and its HELL.

Just DON'T DO IT. IT IS NOT WORTH IT. PEOPLE ARE CRYING. PEOPLE ARE QUESTIONING THEIR WHOLE COMMITMENT TO LAW.

Just don't - make life easier on yourself and go to Cambridge/Harvard/somewhere that isn't Oxford

Why do you say its not worth it ? its in which context ? Do add for where you did your bachelor's from. I mean from which country ?

PEOPLE ARE CRYING. PEOPLE ARE QUESTIONING THEIR WHOLE COMMITMENT TO LAW.

No no no no no no no!!
I'm on the BCL now and its HELL.

Just DON'T DO IT. IT IS NOT WORTH IT. PEOPLE ARE CRYING. PEOPLE ARE QUESTIONING THEIR WHOLE COMMITMENT TO LAW.

Just don't - make life easier on yourself and go to Cambridge/Harvard/somewhere that isn't Oxford

I'm at the University of Reading, I got a high 2.2 in first year (long story, very disappointed) but in second year I got a first, like top three in my year (out of about 185), lowest mark was 65% and the highest was 85%. I also received an award from the university that is given to the top 80 students in the whole university.

I'm Master of Moots, President of the Debate Society and coordinate a pro bono project that has over 250 students taking part.

I also spent last summer working for a front bench MP on a part-time research and policy development internship. This mainly focussed on researching Bills passing through Parliament.

Anyone got any idea what my chances are? My lecturers all seem pretty confident (since they're giving me excellent references) and say that first year isn't too important.

Any thoughts?

Cheers!

I'm on the BCL! Yes, it's tough, it's challenging, it's hell, and at times I hate my life - but I wouldn't say it's not worth it. Just be prepared to do a lot of work - the reading list is what everyone talks about (few hundred pages a week for one subject is a norm - and that's not even the whole reading list). Remember that you'll be taking four subjects, plus you'll have tutorials, which mean writing essays on top of reading for seminars! Good luck!

Yeah I definitely expected to be doing a lot of work for it! I'm happy that I've found someone who sees the reality of it but still thinks it's worthwhile.

I'm writing my Statement of Purpose as we speak...so hard to condense it all to a page and a half.

No no no no no no no!!
I'm on the BCL now and its HELL.

Just DON'T DO IT. IT IS NOT WORTH IT. PEOPLE ARE CRYING. PEOPLE ARE QUESTIONING THEIR WHOLE COMMITMENT TO LAW.

Just don't - make life easier on yourself and go to Cambridge/Harvard/somewhere that isn't Oxford

That is definitely reassuring!

I'm currently working on my SoP, my UCL application and deciding on a college at Ox; it's a lot to take in!

Any hints/tips?

I know that it is a little annoying but I still want to ask what you think of my chances to getting into Oxford. Thank you for commenting.

Here are my credentials:
- good grades
- 2nd price for the best master
- rather big university in a country where rankings do not matter
- Toefl: 113
- internship in a major business law firm
- employment in a major business law firm
- some athletic achievements
- no publications
- no contact with important Oxford graduates

Here are my credentials:
- good grades

Any idea/opinion about my chances? (See above for details!), cheers!

You will need to apply to find out. When will you get your third year results?

That's someone else wrote about this.

i also know of others who did the bcl without firsts. they were all oxonians, and were presumably predicted 1sts by their referees. because of the structure of the oxford ba in jurisprudence oxford applicants have few grades on which to be judged, and the bcl offer is not always conditional on a 1st, so if you flame out in finals your place on the bcl nonetheless awaits you..

Any idea/opinion about my chances? (See above for details!), cheers!

I don't get them until June; so well after the date!

I'm certainly applying, I'm just one of those people who will worry until I find out!

Like I said I'm top 2% in my year and top 80 in my university, so I'm reasonably happy with those results!

I know that it is a little annoying but I still want to ask what you think of my chances to getting into Oxford. Thank you for commenting.

Here are my credentials:
- good grades
- 2nd price for the best master
- rather big university in a country where rankings do not matter
- Toefl: 113
- internship in a major business law firm
- employment in a major business law firm
- some athletic achievements
- no publications
- no contact with important Oxford graduates

Do you have any idea what the situation is where someone has cocked up first year but then in second has done very well (top 2-3% in the year)?

Also how much do they look at references? Since my references are very strong I'm hoping references are looked at heavily!

Do you have any idea what the situation is where someone has cocked up first year but then in second has done very well (top 2-3% in the year)?

Also how much do they look at references? Since my references are very strong I'm hoping references are looked at heavily!

Yeah absolute; as I said I'm currently in the top 2-3% and achieving well. I'm still studying so I won't mind academic conditions being applied to an offer.

I'm just hoping that excellent references, a very strong essay and personal statement will be enough to get over the fact first year grades weren't great, even though second year grades were!