Oxbridge Admissions - Profiles

Application

University: Oxford

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

Course: Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular

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

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? Comprehensive School

GCSE or a similar equivalent taken: yes (7 A*,3 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: 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?

First class university - desire to undertake research

How did you decide between Oxford and Cambridge?

The nature of the reserach year for biochemistry

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

Visited open day - impressed

Preparation

Did your school/college give you any extra tuition or help prior to your interview or application? no

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

Do not expect fairness or transparency - Oxford claims to be looking for potential - I am not convinced of their commitment to this

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

Please comment further on any particular aspects/topics of your interview(s).

First interview - all academic questions - felt that it went really well (obviously not as I thought!!) second interview - a disgrace - the interviewer at Lady Margaret Hall did all the talking - I began to wonder what agenda they were working towards

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

First interview - academic questions focussing mainly on organic chemistry. second interview just listen to the interviewer talk!!!

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

Smart trousers, jacket, shirt

Impressions

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

Liked the college - beautiful surroundings

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

Small rooms with adequate facilities

How was the food provided by the college?

Good

How did you find the tutors in the college?

Friendly

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

Friendly, on the whole

Final stage

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

Felt devastated - felt like a failure - all other universities had accepted me - from your profiles it would seem that you can into Oxford with lower grades than other universities.

Looking back

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

Yes - but I would not give Oxford a second look - in hindsight i should have applied for Cambridge

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

Do not expect fairness or transparency - Oxford claims to be looking for potential - I am not convinced of their commitment to this.

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