oxbridge admissions

> anonymous 182

Application

University: Oxford

College (if made an open application, allocated college): Keble

Course: Biological Sciences

Year in (not for!) which you applied: 1999

Final outcome: rejected

Applicant

Qualification: A-levels

When did you apply in terms of your qualification? pre-qualification

Are you a home/EU/overseas applicant? N/A

What is your country of origin? N/A

What type of school/college do/did you attend? Independent - non-selective

GCSE or a similar equivalent taken: yes (7 A*,2 A)

A-levels

A2: Biology (A at AS; predicted A; gained A at A2)

A2: Chemistry (A at AS; predicted A; gained A at A2)

A2: Geography (A at AS; predicted A; gained A at A2)

A2: Mathematics (A at AS; predicted A; gained A at A2)

Other universities

Have you applied to other universities you consider very close, 'on par' or even better than oxbridge? (Ivies, Sorbonne, LSE..others for different subjects) N/A

Decisions about the application

For what reasons did you apply to Oxbridge?

Prestige

How did you decide between Oxford and Cambridge?

I wanted to study science, but the NatSci course didn't appeal to me.

Why did you choose this course?

Studying biology specifically interested me more than the Natural Sciences course at Cambridge.

Why did you choose this college/make an open application?

When I visited it, the college seemed very friendly.

Preparation

Did your school/college give you any extra tuition or help prior to your interview or application? yes

Very general, but gave us advice and hints about interviews.

Do you have any advice for future applicants in terms of preparation?

Make your application stand out from the norm.

Interview

Did you have to sit any pre-interview exams (LNAT/BMAT/..)? no

Did you have to submit any written work prior to the interview? no

Did you have to take any exams as part of your interview(s)? no

How was/were in general your interview(s)?

Two tutors asked me questions for about 25 minutes. I was sat opposite hem, in an easy chair. I was asked for my opinions, rather than just testing my knowledge, the tutors questioned my answers, making it more into a debate.

What questions were you asked during your interview(s)?

I was asked about current issues in the subject, as well as questions about a piece of text shown to me before the interview. I was also questioned on things I had written on my personal statement, and about what interested me in the subject.

What did you wear to your interview(s), and why?

Smart trousers and a shirt, to look smart but not overly so.

Impressions

What was your general impression of the college that you applied to/any others you visited?

Impressive surroundings.

If seen, please describe the college accommodation eg. size of rooms, facilities.

Good sized rooms, all facilities provided - no problems.

How was the food provided by the college?

Good
(And if you're vegetarian, say so when the waiters come round, and look out for the healthy options - there are some.)

How did you find the tutors in the college?

Pleasant enough.

Generally, what were the college students like (from what you saw of them)?

Not that friendly although the one that showed me around initially was helpful, some of the others seemed rather standoffish. The other applicants were a lot more friendly.

Final stage

Please describe your feelings during the time you waited for the decision.

I didn't have long to wait, got the letter within a few days of getting home.

Looking back

If you were to re-live that year of your life again, would you still apply?

Of course! I had a great experience during the interview, and made new friends even though I didn't get in.

What advice do you have for potential applicants based on your experiences?

Be friendly to other applicants, don't be afraid to talk to anyone during the interview period. Take some time to explore the town, it may come in useful later. Try to enjoy it, and have fun!

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