Oxbridge Admissions - Profiles

Application

University: Cambridge

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

Course: Architecture

Year in (not for!) which you applied: 2002

Final outcome: rejected

Applicant

Qualification: Other qualifications

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

Are you a home/EU/overseas applicant? EU

What is your country of origin? Ireland

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

Non-selective state 11-18 school

GCSE or a similar equivalent taken: yes (9 A,1 B)

Other qualifications

Leaving Cert Higher level Maths, English, Irish, French, Physics, Biology, Art, Applied Maths - 7A's B in Irish

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) yes

Have you received offer(s) from them? yes

University College Dublin (if I get the points), Dublin Institute of Technology and then either Queens Belfast or Civil Engineering in UCC

Decisions about the application

For what reasons did you apply to Oxbridge?

Just in case I'd regret it later

How did you decide between Oxford and Cambridge?

Never looked at Oxford, just fell in love with Cambridge. Also Oxford doesn't offer Architecture

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

In town but fairly hidden from tourists (I walked past when looking for it!) and oh so pretty to boot

Preparation

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

Help with personal statement, portfolio and some practise interviews

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

Be individual, stick out from the crowd and make sure you say what you think is most important

Work hard on your portfolio and take an interest in all aspects of design - know what you like.

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? yes

portfolio

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

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

First was quite informal with college admissions second was more tense with two tutors where they looked at my portfolio

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

They asked a lot about the Leaving Cert course but generally responded to what I said both there and then and on my application

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

Skirt, jumper and big high boots - for the power!

Impressions

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

Really beautiful, really friendly and quite relaxed - a little oasis!

How did you find the tutors in the college?

Friendly and open

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

Lovely, great to chat to before interviews and a really ecclectic bunch

Final stage

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

On New Years Eve, in bed, opened it, saw the word unfortunately and was fairly gutted. I burned it later.

Looking back

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

Maybe - the experience was class but the disappointment was tough too - probably yes

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

Be different, be confident and have a reason to be confident - work hard

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