Oxbridge Preliminaries
Consult • Whether thinking of applying to Oxford or Cambridge, please seek out RMG or NDC to discuss your best choice of college • We will run a coach to Oxford, but the main Cambridge Open Day clashes with the Biology Field Trip • Please see RMG, who will explain how you can book to visit a Cambridge College
Open Days • Oxford • 4th Wednesday in June by coach • You can usually only book to visit ONE COLLEGE, but unofficially, you should have chance to take a look at several • YOU BOOK direct with that college via the internet
www.ox.ac.uk • • • • • • •
Go to: ox.ac.uk Find individual College web site E.G: http://www.st-annes.ox.ac.uk Open days Individual booking form Usually 4th Wednesday in June Submit to the College and follow their instructions • Book your place on the coach via KESpay
Why Just ONE College? • In order to ensure that you get to meet the right people [and your name registered] • To allow you to speak to the admissions tutor who may at some stage accept or reject your application • To give you a good, in depth feel for the place you may spend three, four or six years
What is a college? The College forms the centre of your University life It is where you sleep, eat and socialise Computing facilities
Dining Hall College Room
JCR
Selecting a College
Factors To Consider • • • • • • • • •
An Academic tutor in your discipline? Numbers admitted in your subject? Reputation? Personal or Family connection? Central to town? Near to Academic department? View from your window? Modern sanitation? What’s the school’s record with that college??
This is the sort of thing that you are looking for‌.
Why Oxbridge? • • • •
Courses The teaching: personal tutorial/supervisions The collegiate system Range of students – some seriously bright people! • The kudos/networking …
Is it right for you? • Academic ability really matters: as a very general guide, 3A grades with top UMS [>93% in closest A level subject and 90% + in others] • 7A* grades at GCSE or thereabouts • Need to be seen as a serious student of your subject • Other interests count but they must be well developed • Not the place for all courses.
Oxford or Cambridge? • What course do you want to do? • There are some differences between Oxford and Cambridge. Both very well regarded. • You MUST read the main prospectus, the departmental prospectus and the college prospectus
How do I find out more? • Prospectus now published • Look at the web sites UCAS Oxford Cambridge
http://www.ucas.ac.uk/ http://www.ox.ac.uk/ http://www.cam.ac.uk/
A time to do……… • After AS levels you will need to move fast • If you are a potential choral/organ scholar, then applications in August! [speak to RMG and HF] • Otherwise, final decisions a.s.a.p in new term [September] • Applications by end of September • NB: You should have already ‘shot-gunned’ your college with NDC
What now? • Begin the process of research NOW • But be realistic - ‘Dreaming Spires’ are one thing - getting in is another … !
• Remember that PQA is always an option, but the ‘two bites’ approach is not usually successful apply at your peak
When To Apply? • You can make this decision once you know your UMS position • ‘Deferred entry’ is possibly the hardest route of all because of the Pool system &‘Mortgaging’ of places • Best candidates aren’t speculative – they apply when everything is in place
Who succeeds? • Difficult to predict but no successes below 7A* at GCSE in some years of entry. That said, HAT/ELAT/BMAT etc are extra tests that allow you to prove your potential. • Remember they’re looking for EXCEPTIONAL students not just well-educated ones & they want independent thinkers • Be realistic – are you ‘exceptional’ in your year group? • Don’t give up on dreams – there’s always next year if the AS marks aren’t up to it
How to prepare • You must be on top of your normal work. • Read widely around your subject and see your HoD regularly. It is YOUR responsibility. • Gain necessary work experience. • Get your UCAS form sorted out by July. • Be prepared to work over the summer.
The U6th Autumn Term • It will be very hard work to make the top 2% don’t over commit yourself – put your academic work first. • A post A level application may make more sense. • It is a lottery – even the best don’t always make it • The next slide shows some of the statistical information that is available. • Look carefully at the tables at the back of the prospectus – ratios and places
Resumé of ‘Which College?’ • Please speak to RMG or NDC on an individual basis about this - we hold information concerning the school’s track record with various colleges over many years • Not all colleges offer all subjects • It is not a good idea to have two students from the same school applying for the same course at the same college therefore the school will need to have an over-view
Finally
• Your AS results will be the litmus test • So, go forth and work your socks off……