[alan.accordion]

I've applied to Surrey with the intention of doing an MPhys with placement. Has anyone else got the email to do with this (on 10th November), and does anyone know if the short interview is a 'proper' interview which they use when considering whether to give offers? If so what will others be wearing etc...

[Mysterious Monstah]

I got an email from Surrey today for the physics visit day/interview too. It says it will be an informal interview on the email so I doubt it will play a big part in deciding whether or not you get an offer.

[JamesD2]

Most that I saw did not wear suit/tie (including the staff!). Interview had one maths question thrown in.

[k9markiii]

I would not wear suit and tie when going to an interview as you appear more like you're from a private school. If they had 2 students of identical calibre they choose the one that seems as if they are from a state school. Just wear something comfortable. I have an interview with them in March.

[JamesD2]

They can tell the school from the UCAS form - unless it was an obscure private school. I would hope they would not have an attitude of inverted snobbery.

The percentage of ex independent school students at Surrrey is already abnormally low at 6%, especially when you consider the catchment area is packed with private schools. In fact I don't think the locals think very highly of Surrey Uni, or the % would be higher.

[The Beaver]

(Original post by JamesD2)
In fact I don't think the locals think very highly of Surrey Uni, or the % would be higher.

From my experience this is not the case (where is this fact from?), basically every uni is a little hated in the local area (and to varying extents), when I have been out there interacting with people in schools or people in the wider area of Guildford and Westborough (can't explain all due to non-disclosure agreements and all, but I have been trusted to do things that if locals did not think highly of the University I doubt they would let me do [forgot to add this originally; teaching]).

Part of the problem is that people that live around the area and in Surrey can be a bit pompous for no real reason, and this is from coming here before being a student here, not saying that all people around the area are like that, I just find it is higher here than where I am from in Sussex.

Not many (I know of only a few) come from the local area to the uni (state/public/independent etc), though we have a large amount of people that come from just outside of 'local' like 20-40 miles away I guess? North Hampshire, Sussex etc. Then there is a lot from the area on the north side of London, barely met an people from 'the North' here. Some 'Arts' courses seem to have a few more locals in but not many. Also catchment area doesn't really mean anything to the university.

I can't write a full answer as I have to dash off, but that's the gist of it?