Application Information

Details and information about the application.

Institution
University of Oxford
Program
All Masters
Degree Type
Masters
Degree's Country of Origin
American
Decision
Accepted
Notification
on 30/11/-0001 via E-mail
Undergrad GPA
0.00
  • GRE General: 0
  • GRE Verbal: 0
  • Analytical Writing: 0.00
Notes
To poster below, I'd be skeptical of your research. I am an American who currently attends Oxford and know grads who have gotten funding one way or another. Very few went to HYPS. Of last years Rhodes, only 10/32 went to HYPS. As far as Clarendons, in last year's American cohort, only a few went to HYPS. Of course, it fluctuates, and the year before last probably 1/2 or more went to HYPS or equivalent. However, that is changes year to year is pretty good evidence they're just looking for the best candidates and sometimes lots of those come from the most prestigious schools. Consider the non-US international students from around the world; the university doesn't refuse to fund them just because they didn't go to HYPS. But when a Harvard student who was valedictorian for their subject area has a great research idea applies, yes, I think the University will often preference that person because it has good reason to believe the student will succeed. They are looking at who the best candidates to undertake top-quality research at one of the best universities in the world. Many do have *relevant* work experience, be that in a lab or in a field that directly pertains to their research, but the University prides itself on being 'academic' and therefore worrying less about your work experience and more about your ability to conduct research. I agree they should be clearer about how little funding there is, particularly for SocSci and Humanities, but people should also be better about researching and realizing that they are very unlikely to be funded. Among current students, that's common knowledge and tutors will tell us how slim the chances of funding are, but it seems a lot of non-Oxford applicants don't realize how low their chances are so get very disappointed when they get accepted and don't get funding. It's true the university uses Masters as a cash-cow and relies on rich international students to pay the fees, but that's sadly not that strange. Most masters in the US are now like that, and other than Cambridge, no other UK university gives out nearly as much money. That you -- and I -- were not considered one of the 35 best students (the top 2% of all students) in our DIVISIONS does not mean that it's because they only fund HYPS students. I go to Oxford, my friends are top quality students at Oxford, and none of us got Clarendons. There is no elitist conspiracy against you, and telling people they shouldn't apply is a pernicious thing to do simply because you didn't get funding. Best of luck in the college-allocated rounds.

Timeline

  • Received notification of Acceptance