Oxbridge Admissions - Profiles

Application

University: Oxford

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

Course: Biological Sciences

Year in (not for!) which you applied: 2005

Final outcome: offer made

Applicant

Qualification: A-levels

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

Are you a home/EU/overseas applicant? home

What is your country of origin? United Kingdom

What type of school/college do/did you attend? Grammar School

I went to a Comprehensive in years 7-11 and went to a Grammar school for years 12-13.

GCSE or a similar equivalent taken: yes (10 A*,1 A)

A-levels

AS: Mathematics (A at AS)

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)

Details about the offer

Type of offer: conditional

Specific conditions: A in Biology, A in Chemistry, A in Geography

Other conditions: AAA

Have you accepted the offer? yes

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

Have you met the offer? offer met

Decisions about the application

For what reasons did you apply to Oxbridge?

Loved the course, loved the city, loved the college!

How did you decide between Oxford and Cambridge?

I visited both and compared the courses

Why did you choose this course?

I especially liked the emphasis on evolution.

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

Magdalen is stunningly beautiful

Preparation

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

Mock interview

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

Talk about your subject lots, get used to it

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)?

Relaxed (suprisingly!), enjoyable, challenging

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

Photosynthesis, protein transcription/translation, biological trips abroad, cacti

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

A suit (black trousers, white shirt with black cotton top over the top, black suit jacket). I think 2 people wore suits out of about 18. Most were wearing smart trousers and a decent top.

Impressions

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

They were all fantastic

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

Ok size, mini fridge, sink, desk, bed, wardrobe. Toilet/shower/bath/kitchen nearby

How was the food provided by the college?

Delicious (very good veggie food)

How did you find the tutors in the college?

Lovely, not rude/intimidating at all

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

Very, very friendly

Final stage

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

Awful! it's a dreadful week

Please describe what happened when you received the letter/the call telling you whether you had a place or not.

I burst into tears.

Looking back

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

Yes!

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

If you love your subject then you have nothing to lose.

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