There is no set way to get into Oxford, nor one specific recipe that makes up every student. A good work ethic and intelligence are characteristics we all share, yet, we are all very different and achieved our places in Oxford on our own merits. Thus, I will outline some generic tips to help you before and during your applications.
Pre-Application
First and foremost, understand the requirements for your course. In year 11, I saw that maths was an essential subject for Earth Sciences at Oxford. Therefore, maths was the first A-level I chose to do. If you don’t meet the course requirements, your chances of getting a place in Oxford are a lot lower.
Get some experience to write about in your personal statement. This experience needs to be related to your degree to show your interest prior to applying. For example, I went on the Earth Sciences UNIQ Summer residential (organised by Oxford), I attended a physics residential in Magdalene College, Cambridge and I attended an Earth Science study day with Oxford. A point to note is that this experience doesn’t just have to be attending events, it can be anything from; reading a book related to your subject, watching TED talks, going on field trips or getting work experience that is related to your degree. Don’t worry if you are unable to visit Oxford before you apply – a lot of people can’t/don’t.
During Application
When writing your personal statement, make sure to talk about your degree-related experiences and the transferable skills you developed. Remember, to maintain a personal tone in your writing (i.e. don’t use a thesaurus for every word) and make sure you write succinctly. Try and get as many people as possible to read your personal statement and take into account their criticism and improvements.
If you’re asked to do additional written work or admissions tests, pay close attention to what is expected of you. Read what the prospectus and website say and also take note of what students and tutors have said on websites such as ‘the Student Room’.
In terms of your teachers’ reference, there is no harm in writing a short list of things you’d like to be included in your reference. This will most-likely be things that you can’t include in personal statement.
Interviews
In terms of interview prep, there wasn’t a lot put in place in my school. I got in contact with some Earth Scientists and got an idea of the sort of questions my department liked to ask. I also searched online for different questions and practised answering them. If you’re looking to do a science degree, take a good look at some ‘Fermi problems’ – these are the type of questions they often ask.
I also practised talking about my subject to my family and friends, even when they started to get annoyed at me! In addition, I had a mock interview with the head of the Seren Network which I found very useful. Try and get as much interview help as possible; ask friends, family, teachers, close acquaintances etc, to give you mock interviews.
Also consolidate your A-level and GCSE knowledge. Most questions they ask will be A-level (or IB) content that will make you think outside the box – the questions are designed to put you out of your comfort zone, so don’t be afraid if the answer is not obvious.
The tutors will judge you on your performance in the interview, not on what you’re wearing. My advice is to dress in smart-casual clothing (shirt and jeans, blouse and skirt, a nice jumper and culottes). Also, try and make some friends and enjoy yourself in between interviews.
If your interviewers ask you a question and you haven’t covered that content in your course, then tell them. The likelihood is they’ll give you some background information to support you in answering the question. One massive tip here: DO NOT sit there and say ‘I don’t know’. Try and show a thought process and don’t be afraid to speak your mind (it’s what we like to call ‘thinking out loud’). Even if everything you say is wrong; if you’re showing that you can consider different possibilities based on knowledge you already have, then this shows analytical thinking and problem solving – qualities that the interviewers are looking for!
As I mentioned previously, there is no set way to get into Oxford! The best thing you can do is work hard and put your full effort into the application process. If you believe you have the potential, then go for it!
"There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure." – Colin Powell
Stay well, love Abbie.
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