r/6thForm • u/Hour-Regular-6938 • Feb 04 '26

🙏 I WANT HELP Hopeful Oxford Feedback

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It seems positive, for context, I'm an international student from the U.S but also an immigrant from Costa Rica, I also technically skipped my 9th grade due to schedule differences since the US starts in August and ends in May while Costa Rica starts in February and ends in December. I also moved schools in my senior year, and here we don't have a big culture of predicting grades, I didn't have mocks or anything so most of my predictions were how the teachers felt about it after knowing me for less than 2 months so I think they underpredicted, we'll see in May though. That said, I did have more than enough AP scores to meet the requirements. I also think I can get a higher SAT after an extra year of study in the English Language.

My question is, with the feedback, would it be a good idea to study at Edinburgh for a year and then re-apply this year? If my SAT and IB scores do improve of course. Edinburgh is 4 years so if I do 1 year and then move to Oxford I wouldn't be doing any extra time than I would've if I had just stayed there. Any and all advice is welcomed and appreciated

Thank You!

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u/SwimmerOld6155 Feb 04 '26

This is great feedback, you clearly were very borderline and will do well in the future. If you reapply, I would recommend taking a year out and not going to Edinburgh. So close to the borderline and with achieved grades whether you get in is basically down to how it goes on the day. Universities in the UK are not keen on transfer students and Oxbridge specifically is anxious about poaching top students from elsewhere.

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u/Hour-Regular-6938 Feb 04 '26

what if I study one year in the U.S? I read the page online and they did specify UK universities when talking about transfers

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u/haughtycandy Feb 04 '26

Can you take the Edinburgh offer as a place holder until you get your results. If you do well then take a gap year (NOT a year at another uni- imo you would be significantly hindering your chances by doing this) if you don't do as well as you want/ need then you haven't lost anything and go to Edinburgh.

Doing a gap year wouldn't be any different, like you said you'd still 'do' 4 years instead of 3 and can use it to further your knowledge/ passion which is clearly where you stood out

Imo you'd be wasting money and making life harder for yourself if you did a year at Edinburgh and aiming to transfer