evgenia

I went to a small private top 30 >55k per year college. I had an almost perfect GPA and every semester I freaked out that I wouldn't be able to keep my GPA. My professors were like, "Common, you go to College X, all these top graduate programs know that our school is a tough school. Relax. Going to our school is not like going to School Y across the road (there was a big public school nearby). Of course you could go to School Y and get all A's there but everyone can get all A's in that school." My professors repeatedly made fun of people who went to that public school nearby. When I graduated from my college, I somehow became convinced that people who go to public or unknown schools are doomed - they are losers with no career prospects. (Of course deep in my heart I know it's not true) Conclusion: go to the school ranked higher and get good grades.

I applied for a MPhil in Economics at Oxford. I read on the website that the econ department *might* call an applicant to arrange an interview. Do they almost always call? If they call, does it mean your application has not been outstanding enough to get you acceptance right away? What questions to expect? Also, some former admits posted in the results submission section of this website that they got an offer conditional on a certain GPA or first-class honors. I am seriously concerned. I had an almost perfect GPA until last semester of my undergraduate studies. When I applied, my GPA was still almost perfect, but then my last semester grades arrived and I realized that now I don't even qualify for first class honors. Are offers always conditional? Why do they require a first-class degree if they say on their website that a second-class degree is also acceptable? Ughhh Thanks so much!