University of Warwick
Coventry
I REALLY want to study English at Warwick
Warwick is by far my first choice, it's ideal for so many reasons and the English and Theatre Studies course looks amazing. Can anyone tell me about what the chances are of getting an interview after sending off my personal statement? Or what the interview involves? I've heard it can be a toughie!
I assume you are looking at starting courses in 2014/15?
I can speak from the English side of things, I'm just about to start my second year of English Literature. I had two different experiences two years running at Warwick. The first year I applied I didn't get an interview, the second I did (and got in!). I think from my own experience you have to just have something a bit more than just your A Level texts, and have a way of demonstrating an interest in English that isn't through the classroom. The statistics they give are scary (I think in my year it was around 4000 applicants, 400 interviews, 100 places for English), but that's not to say it's impossible. As long as you know your personal statement inside out, are prepared for anything new on the day (such as being asked to talk about an unseen poem) you should be ok. My interview was really just a chat about what I like reading, and we ended up arguing about a production of Othello we had both seen. Others had short poems that they were asked to talk about in the interview, and some were asked 'ice breaker' questions such as 'pick a book from your personal statement and come up with a book cover for it, why did you choose this etc'
On my personal statement I didn't actually write about many books, surprisingly. I talked more about literary concepts which interested me and ideas I wanted to pursue, as well as things like being involved with the school newspaper etc. That was more because I'd basically listed books in my first application and that didn't work. That said, one of my friends wrote about numerous books, what she herself describes as 'just a list', but because they were not your stereotypical books for A Level, she got in and she is also doing very well. It's a difficult process, no doubt, but not one that is impossible to achieve within. It's that same old line: make yourself stand out, and don't lie. But I remember the Director of Undergraduate studies saying at my interview day, that they are there to help you get in, not to cherry-pick you out. If they can see potential, even if you interview horrifically, then you could be in with a good chance.
I can speak from the English side of things, I'm just about to start my second year of English Literature. I had two different experiences two years running at Warwick. The first year I applied I didn't get an interview, the second I did (and got in!). I think from my own experience you have to just have something a bit more than just your A Level texts, and have a way of demonstrating an interest in English that isn't through the classroom. The statistics they give are scary (I think in my year it was around 4000 applicants, 400 interviews, 100 places for English), but that's not to say it's impossible. As long as you know your personal statement inside out, are prepared for anything new on the day (such as being asked to talk about an unseen poem) you should be ok. My interview was really just a chat about what I like reading, and we ended up arguing about a production of Othello we had both seen. Others had short poems that they were asked to talk about in the interview, and some were asked 'ice breaker' questions such as 'pick a book from your personal statement and come up with a book cover for it, why did you choose this etc'
On my personal statement I didn't actually write about many books, surprisingly. I talked more about literary concepts which interested me and ideas I wanted to pursue, as well as things like being involved with the school newspaper etc. That was more because I'd basically listed books in my first application and that didn't work. That said, one of my friends wrote about numerous books, what she herself describes as 'just a list', but because they were not your stereotypical books for A Level, she got in and she is also doing very well. It's a difficult process, no doubt, but not one that is impossible to achieve within. It's that same old line: make yourself stand out, and don't lie. But I remember the Director of Undergraduate studies saying at my interview day, that they are there to help you get in, not to cherry-pick you out. If they can see potential, even if you interview horrifically, then you could be in with a good chance.
University of Warwick
Coventry
Hello 
I applied for both just English Literature and English and Theatre Studies at Warwick for 2013/14 and I am just waiting for my results to see if I can go! Like you, I loved Warwick so much and thought the courses were the best. I hadn't considered theatre studies, but when I saw the Warwick course I just had to apply! I was lucky and got an interview for both courses- one interview, and they asked me which I would like!
My personal statement linked a few books and then talked about extra things- I had been longlisted in a short story competition run by Warwick's IGGY (gifted and talented), and I wrote my extended project on whether Shakespeare should be studied in schools, and how. I concluded it should be, but should be acted out not read sitting at desks. As Warwick are very keen on creative ways of studying texts, chatting about that went down well in my interview.
I was interviewed at Oxford too, and I found the interviews scary and was not at all surprised I didn't get in. I dreaded the Warwick interview, expecting a repeat of my awful performance at Oxford- and was so surprised when I loved every minute of the interview day!
There was a talk in the arts centre when I first got there, and they were so encouraging and kind, praising us for having done well enough to get the interview, and then saying they would like to give us all places but couldn't so needed to chat to each of us to see who would fit in best. As you already are passionate about the course, you should be fine as they just want to know you would fit in well at Warwick. My interview was a chat about Shakespeare (because of my project), and we discussed whether theatre or just normal English would suit me best, deciding on just English Lit. It went so fast and seemed like just discussing a subject we were both interested in- I almost forgot it was an interview! I actually worried that I hadn't said enough to get in, and I sort of disagreed with the interviewer so felt they might not have liked me! But I got an offer, so it was obviously ok! The rest of the day we could just wander around the campus and get another chance to enjoy the university. It was a great day, and even greater later when I got the offer. I will be so disappointed after all that if I have missed my offer!
The statistics, as hr30 says, are scary but if you really want to go to Warwick that's the first step- that's what they are looking for- people who really care about the course. My advice would be to just show what makes you passionate about the course, and they will see that and you have a great chance of getting an offer. Be yourself and enjoy! Good luck with the whole application process, I hope you get where you want to be.
I applied for both just English Literature and English and Theatre Studies at Warwick for 2013/14 and I am just waiting for my results to see if I can go! Like you, I loved Warwick so much and thought the courses were the best. I hadn't considered theatre studies, but when I saw the Warwick course I just had to apply! I was lucky and got an interview for both courses- one interview, and they asked me which I would like!
My personal statement linked a few books and then talked about extra things- I had been longlisted in a short story competition run by Warwick's IGGY (gifted and talented), and I wrote my extended project on whether Shakespeare should be studied in schools, and how. I concluded it should be, but should be acted out not read sitting at desks. As Warwick are very keen on creative ways of studying texts, chatting about that went down well in my interview.
I was interviewed at Oxford too, and I found the interviews scary and was not at all surprised I didn't get in. I dreaded the Warwick interview, expecting a repeat of my awful performance at Oxford- and was so surprised when I loved every minute of the interview day!
There was a talk in the arts centre when I first got there, and they were so encouraging and kind, praising us for having done well enough to get the interview, and then saying they would like to give us all places but couldn't so needed to chat to each of us to see who would fit in best. As you already are passionate about the course, you should be fine as they just want to know you would fit in well at Warwick. My interview was a chat about Shakespeare (because of my project), and we discussed whether theatre or just normal English would suit me best, deciding on just English Lit. It went so fast and seemed like just discussing a subject we were both interested in- I almost forgot it was an interview! I actually worried that I hadn't said enough to get in, and I sort of disagreed with the interviewer so felt they might not have liked me! But I got an offer, so it was obviously ok! The rest of the day we could just wander around the campus and get another chance to enjoy the university. It was a great day, and even greater later when I got the offer. I will be so disappointed after all that if I have missed my offer!
The statistics, as hr30 says, are scary but if you really want to go to Warwick that's the first step- that's what they are looking for- people who really care about the course. My advice would be to just show what makes you passionate about the course, and they will see that and you have a great chance of getting an offer. Be yourself and enjoy! Good luck with the whole application process, I hope you get where you want to be.
Hiya I'm an english and theatre student about to go into my third year so applications were a while back but hopefully I can help a bit!
Warwick try and impress you with statistics of only 18 get a place out of 400 applicants blah blah but try not to be put off by that. For once, there are 32 people in my year because they decided to over offer so it's not necessarily true! You just have to concentrate on showing them that YOU are enthusiastic and passionate about your subjects, because enthusiasm is something they really go for. On my personal statement I talked about a mixture of plays/books I've read, as well as a production I'd seen that had really inspired me and little bit on plays I had been a part of. As I said, they want to see an all round passion for your subject, that you really go out of your way to be involved as you can. As hr30 said, I also talked about my extended project on Shakespeare which I believe is the reason I got into Warwick, because had something I could talk about in depth, and that they could identify with me as a real interest. As it happens I'm doing my dissertation on the same topic next year, so I think it helps if you have something like that to talk about as they view it as a future interest you could pursue! I think they interview about 100 applicants?
As for the interview, I absolutely loved mine. I know it's a cliche that people say and you don't believe it but it was nothing like the awful stories people tell you. We mainly talked about things in my personal statement (make sure you've actually read everything...I tried to pretend I'd read A Winter's Tale when I hadn't and my interviewer guessed which was kind of awkward!!). They'll also ask you generic questions like why you want to do the course etc. (and try and think of a better answer than "because my favourite subjects at school are english and theatre so I want to study them together" because I STILL cringe at that!). Seriously though, if you get an interview, just try and relax and be yourself and let your enthusiasm show. They aren't there to catch you out, after all, they are choosing the people that they are also going to be working with for the next three years (or beyond), so most interviewers are interested to hear what you have to say.
On an general note, I would really recommend English and Theatre; because the course it small you get to know everyone in a way that you wouldn't if you were doing something less specialised and we're all really good friends. The staff and resources are fantastic and the range of stuff you get to cover is immense, I've done everything from middle english epics to drama from the 2000s. Plus having the arts centre nearby is an amazing facility Good luck with your application!
I'm an english and theatre student about to go into my third year so applications were a while back but hopefully I can help a bit!Warwick try and impress you with statistics of only 18 get a place out of 400 applicants blah blah but try not to be put off by that. For once, there are 32 people in my year because they decided to over offer so it's not necessarily true! You just have to concentrate on showing them that YOU are enthusiastic and passionate about your subjects, because enthusiasm is something they really go for. On my personal statement I talked about a mixture of plays/books I've read, as well as a production I'd seen that had really inspired me and little bit on plays I had been a part of. As I said, they want to see an all round passion for your subject, that you really go out of your way to be involved as you can. As hr30 said, I also talked about my extended project on Shakespeare which I believe is the reason I got into Warwick, because had something I could talk about in depth, and that they could identify with me as a real interest. As it happens I'm doing my dissertation on the same topic next year, so I think it helps if you have something like that to talk about as they view it as a future interest you could pursue! I think they interview about 100 applicants?
As for the interview, I absolutely loved mine. I know it's a cliche that people say and you don't believe it but it was nothing like the awful stories people tell you. We mainly talked about things in my personal statement (make sure you've actually read everything...I tried to pretend I'd read A Winter's Tale when I hadn't and my interviewer guessed which was kind of awkward!!). They'll also ask you generic questions like why you want to do the course etc. (and try and think of a better answer than "because my favourite subjects at school are english and theatre so I want to study them together" because I STILL cringe at that!). Seriously though, if you get an interview, just try and relax and be yourself and let your enthusiasm show. They aren't there to catch you out, after all, they are choosing the people that they are also going to be working with for the next three years (or beyond), so most interviewers are interested to hear what you have to say.
On an general note, I would really recommend English and Theatre; because the course it small you get to know everyone in a way that you wouldn't if you were doing something less specialised and we're all really good friends. The staff and resources are fantastic and the range of stuff you get to cover is immense, I've done everything from middle english epics to drama from the 2000s. Plus having the arts centre nearby is an amazing facility Good luck with your application!
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