Viewing Thread:
"University Advice"

I'm a little young to be talking about this, but I want some advice to do with university. My sister's been looking, and I really want to do Mathematics and Computer Sciences in Oxford. The success rate is only something like 38%, so it's not very high. I'm at the stage in my life where I have to choose college subjects, and I really want to get to Oxford. So the question is, what do I take? I only want to take maths, computer sciences and japanese, which leaves me with 2 free choices. Physics, maybe, but what else if I'm to do what I want to do?

I'm a little young to be talking about this, but I want some advice to do with university. My sister's been looking, and I really want to do Mathematics and Computer Sciences in Oxford. The success rate is only something like 38%, so it's not very high. I'm at the stage in my life where I have to choose college subjects, and I really want to get to Oxford. So the question is, what do I take? I only want to take maths, computer sciences and japanese, which leaves me with 2 free choices. Physics, maybe, but what else if I'm to do what I want to do?

You want to get into Oxford!? Good luck...or skill as the case maybe.
Or almost certainly is.

I was thinking about uni before A-Level courses as well. Not a problem. Right, for Maths at Oxford you need AAA. No question, they won't take you unless you get that. I'm lucky for my Oxford course, I only need AAB. Then you need Physics and Maths. They probably won't care about Computing, but I doubt it would hurt as an AS. Another science as well wouldn't hurt, but the fourth subject doesn't really matter. If you're dedicated, take 5 :) But you don't need to, Oxford only want three A-Levels.

Then start piling up the extra-curricular activites. They like stuff related to your course that you do out of school of your own free time e.g. I scuba dive, and I'm applying for Biological Sciences. Read about your subject out of school as well, and reading magazines like New Scientist is also a good idea. If you want to chat about it some more, MSN me. If I haven't blocked you, that is.

Computer Science A level is a waste of time, it really is. There are NO compsci/scompsci with math courses which have it as a prerequisite. I'm doing compsci as a degree (in my third year now), and I did no IT related A-levels.

Mahs however, is vital. I reccomend you take Maths, Physics, Chemistry, and maybe Further Maths too.

Maths is vital and advanced maths (or whatever you call it) would be helpful but only if you are confident of getting a decent grade. I'm also in my third year of a computer science degree.
I would suggest Physics, maths, another science and a subject you like doing.

Also get a head start. Learn some programming if you don't already know any. If you want help, info or suggestions just post on here.

Sod Oxford, go to Leeds and have a really good time.

University is about learning more than just your subject. Go live in a vibrant city and enjoy yourself.

(Leeds can be replaced by Newcastle or Manchester in this instance).

Oh yeah, sod Computer Science at A-level. All you'll learn is how to make pretty pages in Word :)

Science is the way to go. Do Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Further Maths. And Latin..... :)

Leeds? Don't make me laugh. If he's got the academic potential, why waste it by going somewhere average like Leeds? And you'll have a laugh at any university.

I did Maths, physics, and econmics A-Level and got into Manchester to do Computer Science (Now in final year). I also got a C or something in IT AS-Level but no-one cared about it at all. Useless.

Manchester is supposedly the best CS department in the country too (not sure how they work that out though - % going into a job after graduation I think).

And Manchester rules. Kicks the backside off London (yes, I have been there - I used to live there)

Stryke wrote:
> Leeds? Don't make me laugh. If he's got the academic potential, why
> waste it by going somewhere average like Leeds?

Well, obviously you are a clued up person.

Heh, my sister in 6th form's trying for English Lit at Cambridge.