h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

So if you fancy the idea of studying at university, how do you find out what chances you have of getting in? Do you have to be some straight-a's student to have a chance, or can us normal people apply? And aren't there any countries left where the government actually pays for it?

All that said, I' going to apply to oxbridge. Just for the one in a million chance.

Yes, 'normal' students can apply. I don't know about elsewhere, but in Britain the degree schemes range from asking for AAA to EE (at A level or equivalent), and if you do a diploma sometimes you don't need anything. It all depends on the university; for Britain visit the UCAS website and browse through course, they'll tell you what they're asking for.

Finding out your chances; well, most universities have some sort of application;offers ratio, which is anything from 2;1 to 12;1, the higher being the most competitive so there's less chance of getting in. There's also the interview thing; if you're good at talking to people then having an interview will increase your chances, while if you're shy then one that accepts you by the application form alone might improve your chances. If you apply early enough most universities get back to you sooner, while if you leave it to the last minute the university will be dealing with squillions of applications so you'll have to wait longer to find out.

Oxbridge? Wow. I very nearly applied for Cambridge, but I chickened out when I realized that I was only considering it because my parents wanted me to go there, and it really wasn't my sort of thing. Some Cambridge colleges take you with low grades(even down to EE) if they think you have real potential (or you're really rich) but most want top grades. I would assume Oxford is the same.

Good luck

Ehh, why is the first part of this entry similar to what I wrote? Did it in some way enter into my mind before I wrote the message, or have you taken it from me? I feel a bit spooked out.

That's what they do for collaberative entries- scrounge them from the threads.
The paragraph under the 'how do you know if you're suited' is almost word for word my reply to you (except for some strange reason they didn't like the word squillions, and chose boring old 'thousands' instead). C'est la vie.

You've been credited; the entry's come up under your edited entries list.

Yeah, I saw I was credited but just found it odd still. So now I am credited with two entries, that's quite nice. But they should have kept squillions though. Or at least a "bullyions and bullyions"