Oxford International Applicants

Oh that's PERFECT. A former international applicant!
Even though you didn't have to submit your transcript, on the UCAS application did you have to put down courses and grades and predicted grades just like what would be on a transcript? And was your offer conditional? Also, did you submit A-Levels, because I'll be submitting SAT scores since I'm in the States and I'm a wee little worried about how those will go over. The website said that they're given the same consideration, but I don't know. Oh and what college are you at?

Wow, I thought the interview would be JUST like online! It's good I know the truth now. I'll be properly freaked out and prepared. Thanks so much for the wake up call! The thing is, I think I'll get a skype interview if at all, since I'm in the States and couldn't possibly go there just for an interview. I really want an interview though! They seem to matter a lot.

When I had my interviews in Oxford in December there were at least three Americans, and one Canadian, interviewing at the same college at the same time as me. I'm not sure if you're actually allowed a Skype interview, if you don't have colliding exams or live in a country it's hard to get a visa from.

Besides, it's not just an interview you travel there for, for starters there is several on different days, they're actually quite enjoyable, it's supposedly harder to get in with a Skype interview, you get to stay in Oxford and develop a feel towards whether you actually want to go there, and finally you'll get to meet intelligent and witty people, some of whom will hopefully be among your friends at college if you get in.

As for grades I honestly don't think they're too bothered, and that the requirements are mostly there to ensure they don't accept intelligent underachievers instead of people with both qualities.


In short, the interviews is three days of fun, with some challenging acedemic interviews thrown in occasionally. Don't miss them if you do in fact have an oppurtinity to go.

You're an American, you don't need a visa.

You can't 'submit' an incomplete application. If you're submitting it to a university, you have to have everything completed - this means your personal statement, your reference, etc. If you're going to apply to another university in addition to Oxford however, I've read here that it's a good idea to send the others off separately, to give you more time to think, and so they won't suspect you're an Oxford applicant.

It is expensive to travel, but... I personally wouldn't mind the trip and it will be worth your money if you do make it (get accepted, I mean). I know that a Canadian passport is quite literally a 'passport' to get in hassle-free to many countries... not so sure about the US, but in any case it shouldn't be an issue visa-wise. They would really prefer you to come in-person.

I know a lot of (all?) applicants from India have a phone or Skype interview... As to how it's harder to get in... well, they really can't judge you well over a camera and a microphone.

Re: Assessments. I have to take the TSA, and I've read about how admissions tutors view the scores. I don't know the 'weightings', but in general... if you get an average score (oversimplifying it, but ~60%) they will think you are 'suitable'. If you get a good score (~80%), they will factor this into your application and choose you even if your personal statement/grades aren't amazing. If you do poorly, well they'll know that you got your grades by some fluke, and really aren't suitable for that particular course.

Hope I helped.

ETA: On the admissions test site (http://www.admissionstests.cambridgeassessment.org.uk/adt/) they have graphs of results from last year. Click through and view them.

Just to get a general idea of where you're heading... do you have any particular area you're interested in going into? Humanities, Languages, etc. ?

Oh that's PERFECT. A former international applicant!
Even though you didn't have to submit your transcript, on the UCAS application did you have to put down courses and grades and predicted grades just like what would be on a transcript? And was your offer conditional? Also, did you submit A-Levels, because I'll be submitting SAT scores since I'm in the States and I'm a wee little worried about how those will go over. The website said that they're given the same consideration, but I don't know. Oh and what college are you at?

Wow, I thought the interview would be JUST like online! It's good I know the truth now. I'll be properly freaked out and prepared. Thanks so much for the wake up call! The thing is, I think I'll get a skype interview if at all, since I'm in the States and couldn't possibly go there just for an interview. I really want an interview though! They seem to matter a lot.

x

Short-listing
Normally, to be invited for an interview (short listed) an applicant will need to have a very good track record of academic achievement, excellent A-level grade predictions (or equivalent), a very strong UCAS reference and a good mark in our pre-interview admissions test.

Initially, short-listing applicants is based heavily upon academic performance and the results of the pre-interview admissions test. For example, we would expect students who have taken GCSEs to have excellent grades, i.e. at least 4 A* grades including an A or A* grade at GCSE Mathematics, and obtain an above average mark on our pre-interview admissions test.

In addition, all relevant information presented on the UCAS forms of applicants is carefully reviewed by College Tutors before final short-listing decisions are taken. Any applicants whose individual circumstances, both academic and non-academic, suggest that the academic and pre-interview admissions test performance is likely to underestimate significantly their academic potential are short-listed.

Interviews
The interview is aimed at assessing the candidate's potential for future development and how they will cope with the academic course. All applicants who are interviewed in Oxford will be interviewed at two separate colleges, i.e. their "college of preference" and a second college. This is to ensure that we have two independent interview assessments of every candidate we have interviewed.

Tutors will be looking for the following qualities at interview: Clarity of analysis and presentation of ideas; ability to generate own ideas and proposals; ability to listen and respond to ideas put forward during discussion, and to draw inferences from them; ability to put forward coherent and well thought out proposals and responses.

Decisions
An overall assessment of all candidates is made at a meeting of all Psychology Tutors in the Department of Experimental Psychology. All College Tutors rank all the candidates that they have seen, using the full range of indicators. These are: 1) GCSE's or equivalent; 2) predicted or obtained A-levels or equivalent; 3) the reference from the school; 4) the pre-interview admissions test; 5) the interview; 6) and other relevant information. Final offers are based upon all these factors.

As ---------- said, there's no advantage or disadvantage for being an international. Unlike the US schools, which practice an informal quota for internationals (thereby making it more difficult to gain admission), Oxford isn't concerned about nationality. The only thing that matters is your aptitude and suitability for your course.

Geographical distance also isn't a factor - all internationals outside the EU will almost definitely be offered the option of a Skype or phone interview, if you cannot go to Oxford in person (although I strongly recommend it if you can - just to explore the city and experience student life!). My college didn't mind at all that I had to fly in from Southeast Asia. You'll be travelling on your own expenses though (but the college will provide free food and accommodation for the duration of your interviews)

It's debatable whether attending in person is going to make a tangible difference; I heard through the grapevine from another interviewee at my college that the tutors hinted they'd rather see the candidates in person. At the same time, I know people who Skyped and got in.

Thanks! that helps But IF I do pick a college, does it affect my chances of getting in? Would I have a better chance selecting a college that accepts more students for E&M rather than a smaller college accepting less students for E&M?

Thanks! that helps But IF I do pick a college, does it affect my chances of getting in? Would I have a better chance selecting a college that accepts more students for E&M rather than a smaller college accepting less students for E&M?