Hi everyone,

I have completed 3 years ago my first degree in Law. My grades were not the highest (yet above average GPA 3.5) and I am wondering what my chances are entering Oxford.

I must mention I am now an associate, I worked 18 months for a Government entity, engaging in Corporate Regulation (Equivalent to the SEC and the FCA). Second, I am now working in a Big 4 firm in the field of International Tax.

Thanks for your answers!

During my academic studies I participated in the following programs:

1. Jessup Competition.
2. Research assistant in Tax Law.
3. Human Rights Clinic.
4. Established the Model U.N in the University.
5. Participated in a Seminar tought by a Supreme Court Judge.
6. I was a Judge in the Disciplinary committee in the University.


I must emphasis that in addition my aside by academic and professional background, I have a very interesting and unique CV.

Provided I have detailed references from very senior professors who in the past have attended Oxford in the past, would the above be sufficient?

Thanks for your response!

[Edited by Hberg on Aug 13, 2017]

Hi everyone,

I have completed 3 years ago my first degree in Law. My grades were not the highest (yet above average GPA 3.5) and I am wondering what my chances are entering Oxford.

I must mention I am now an associate, I worked 18 months for a Government entity, engaging in Corporate Regulation (Equivalent to the SEC and the FCA). Second, I am now working in a Big 4 firm in the field of International Tax.

Thanks for your answers!

During my academic studies I participated in the following programs:

1. Jessup Competition.
2. Research assistant in Tax Law.
3. Human Rights Clinic.
4. Established the Model U.N in the University.
5. Participated in a Seminar tought by a Supreme Court Judge.
6. I was a Judge in the Disciplinary committee in the University.


I must emphasis that in addition my aside by academic and professional background, I have a very interesting and unique CV.

Provided I have detailed references from very senior professors who in the past have attended Oxford in the past, would the above be sufficient?

Thanks for your response!

LegalLife is right. Extracurriculars and life experience don't matter at all as long as the grades aren't good enough.

I agree with the two previous posts. What I observed is that Oxbridge tends to be very strict when it comes to grades as part of their admissions process. You might have a better shot at Harvard given your CV. That's not to say that Harvard is easier to get into, but Harvard, like most other top US schools, consider the "entire package" as it were. For instance, an applicant who graduated in the top 5% of the class has a very good shot at Oxbridge, but without extracurriculars is more likely to get rejected by Harvard (or Yale or Stanford). Conversely, an applicant within the top 20% but with excellent extracurriculars has a better chance of getting into Harvard than Oxbridge.