Applying to Oxbridge some practical considerations'

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• Applying to Oxbridge- some practical
  considerations.
• (information taken from Applying to Oxford and
  Cambridge- Louise Horsfall Elly Miller 2005)

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Session outline

• Making an application to Oxbridge
• Choosing a college
• What admissions tutors are looking for
• Interview format and preparation
• Useful sources of information

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Making an application

• Differences from other universities
• Earlier closing date- 15th October
• Separate application form
• Open application or choose a college
• Interviews
• Submission of written work
• Tests- at interview or other.
• Applying to Oxbridge requires a high degree of
  commitment, to ensure the process is as smooth as
  possible you need to be clear on want your
  responsibilities are.

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The Oxford Cambridge application forms.

• Are mainly an administrative tool- it has space
  for the student and space for the academic
  reference.
• Same closing date- 15th October deadline.
• Oxford form to OCAO Cambridge form to
  individual college unless making and open
  application, then sent to CAO.
• The main source of information for admissions
  tutors is still the UCAS form. Including your
  personal statement and teachers reference.

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Choosing a college

• Open application route
• Colleges are academically equal
• Some courses are not offered at some colleges.
• Consider-size, accommodation, location etc

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On what information do tutors base their
selection?

• GCSE results, AS levels, predicated A level
  grades.
• Personal statement and teachers reference
• Written work if submitted
• Test results if taken
• Performance at interview.

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Cont.

• Evidence of motivation, enthusiasm and commitment
• Academic potential for the subject
• Powers of analysis
• Being able to work through new material/ideas/prob
  lems
• Clarity and concise, relevant arguments
• Ability to listen/teachability

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Why interview?

• On paper almost all applicants look similar-
  excellent references, top grades, excellent PS.
• Therefore interviewing helps tutors
  differentiate.
• Allows students and the University to assess
  their suitability for the course.

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Interview format

• Usually take place in tutors room in the college
  or in a room in a department.
• Usually two interviewers
• At Oxford you could be interviewed more than once
  at different colleges.
• At Cambridge- one college only.

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Interview preparation

• Thoroughly read around the subjects youve
  applied to do
• Create opportunities where you can discuss your
  reading and subjects e.g discussion groups, pair
  off and ask each other questions.
• Know your written work inside out- ensure you are
  confident about discussing it.
• If you dont already- read a broadsheet daily.
  This will give you an insight and breadth into
  current affairs. This may prove useful in your
  written test/s and/or interview/s

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Practice interviews

• Peer interviewing- pair up with a student who is
  applying for a different subject, then take it in
  turns to explain/talk to each other about your
  subject.
• Interview with a subject teacher- e.g in
  school/college
• Interview with someone who has not taught you.
• External interview (someone not from
  school/college)
• Surprise situations e.g discuss a poem you
  havent read/seen before.
• The more you expose yourself to different
  situations the better.

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Overall strategy

• Know your deadlines e.g for submitting written
  work.
• If you are making other UCAS applications dont
  neglect them.
• Dont expect a certain format each college will
  be very individual in their approach to
  interviewing.
• Dont underestimate the interview- practice,
  practice, practice.

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Useful sources of information

• www.admissions.ox.ac.uk
• www.cam.ac.uk
• Individual course literature from college
  prospectuses and websites
• Open days and summer schools
• Today's handout- includes feedback from tutors
  and students perspectives on the Oxbridge
  application experience.
• Make contact with the university staff, former
  pupils, existing students