Oxbridge Preparation

Oxbridge – Preparation & Interviews

“At school I was a modest, good humoured boy. It is Oxford that has made me insufferable” – Max Beerbohm “Our admissions process is rigorous, challenging, professional, deeply thought through…..and arbitrary” - Richard Partington –Senior Tutor of Churchill College, University of Cambridge

Why Oxbridge?

I very much like the collegiate system, it really does help you to make friends in the other year groups and to feel like you belong.

3rd year Oxford undergraduate, Physics

Oxbridge accounts for 130 Nobel prizes (15%+ total ever awarded), and 40 British Prime Ministers

•Only UK universities in global top 10; consistently ranked 1 and 2 in UK •The College system/life •The tutorial system (supervisions at Cambridge) and quality of teaching •Atmosphere and architecture •A support and badge of honour for life

Why not Oxbridge?

There are very good reasons not to opt for Oxbridge.

Don’t apply just for the ‘dreaming spires’!

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It is very hard work.

The courses do not suit everyone and not the place for all courses 3. The environment does not suit everyone 4. There are excellent universities elsewhere 5. The chances of success are slim But around 10 – 15% of KES students are offered places in most years. It can be done!

Oxford or Cambridge?

• One or the other – not both • What course do you want to do?

• Take advice from guidance team– play to your strengths in the application process • Look at the web sites and entry profiles • Go and see for yourself – with the school after AS examinations, or over the summer

What are they looking for?

• Enthusiasm, knowledge and flair for your subject, not the syllabus – Oxbridge is unashamedly very academic.

• Current academic ability (an average of 90% in your modules and at least 6A* at GCSE). Evidence of independently going further • Academic potential - are you someone who will flourish in an academic environment?

• ‘Teachability’ (especially in tutorial one-to-one or small groups) • Commitment – are you able to organise/motivate yourself?

What are they NOT looking for?

- i.e some myths • Extra-curricular overload “too much engagement with extra curricular school activities and social life does not leave time for breadth of academic thought and reading” Richard Partington “the head boy / head girl type is not necessarily what we are looking for” Mark Wormald – Tutor for Admissions and Associate Director of Teaching, University of Oxford

• Supreme confidence • Perfection “very few candidates are perceived to have no weaknesses (maybe 1 in 25)” RP

The admissions process • Start preparing NOW (‘rebalance your portfolio’) • UCAS form – personal statement and school reference • Open Days • Aptitude tests • Submitted work • Interviews

Written tests • BMAT, HAT, TSA, LNAT etc.

• Make sure you know what is involved – see Mr Hunt for details + his excellent web page on our website • Look out for sample materials – these are also available on the university websites • Support available in Autumn term

Interviews • • • •

Preparing for interviews starts NOW An ‘interactive aptitude test’ Likely to be given prompt material An academic interview, possibly some general questions as well • Interview is part of a matrix, not the final hurdle • School will arrange practice interviews, also read guides published by universities and podcasts

What next?

• Talk to your teachers – is this right for you? (now or next year) • Plan the next year and start early • Read widely around your subject and see your Head of Department and NDC / GTP. It is YOUR responsibility.

• Work experience for medicine, vet science, architecture (engineering & law). Quality not quantity.

• Get your UCAS form sorted out by July.

• Be prepared to do some academic work over the summer and attend extra sessions from September.