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General interview with the college principal and a non-specialist fellow?

Hi!

I've been invited to an interview for PPE at Harris Manchester, and in my invitation it says the following:
"You will also be interviewed, in a more general way, by the college Principal together with one other, non-specialist, fellow."

Is this something that happens at all colleges?

To anyone that's been to one - what is it like? What kind of questions etc?

Also, how much impact does it have on my chances of getting an offer?
(edited 10 years ago)
Reply 1
Avatar for uniqsummer
uniqsummer
9
I assume you are a mature student (over 21) to be invited for an interview at HMC.

It does not happen at most other colleges, since only those over 21 years of age can gain entry to HMC and due to the small nature of the college (only 100 Undergrads) they use it as a tool to see how you would fit into its environment (and also gives you an idea of how you feel about it!)

As for questions. difficult to say but I would expect them to ask about what you have been doing with your time, academic preferences etc.

You may have more interviews at other colleges, but this will be determined during your time here. Its neither good or bad if this happens.
Original post by Soundbolt
Hi!

I've been invited to an interview for PPE at Harris Manchester, and in my invitation it says the following:
"You will also be interviewed, in a more general way, by the college Principal together with one other, non-specialist, fellow."

Is this something that happens at all colleges?

To anyone that's been to one - what is it like? What kind of questions etc?

Also, how much impact does it have on my chances of getting an offer?


That's a blast from the past.

These sort of interviews used to be normal for all undergraduates but as Oxford lost interest in more or less everything outside of the subject to be studied, they stopped.

I suspect it is, as the earlier poster said, to see how you as a mature student would adapt to Oxford life.
Ah, that makes sense.

Thank you for your answers!
Reply 4
Avatar for Ladders
Ladders
15
Expect a rigorous grilling as they want to find out the way you think and what contributions you would make to the subject
Original post by nulli tertius
That's a blast from the past.

These sort of interviews used to be normal for all undergraduates but as Oxford lost interest in more or less everything outside of the subject to be studied, they stopped.
They're still more widespread in Cambridge, the "general academic interview".

Another thought about the Harris Manchester interview - maybe it's more of a chance for them to advertise themselves and encourage people to come, making sure those they give offers to understand how they differ from other Oxford colleges, but bringing out the positives in that to try to make sure those they give offers to take the offers up. Or something like that.
Original post by fluteflute
They're still more widespread in Cambridge, the "general academic interview".

Another thought about the Harris Manchester interview - maybe it's more of a chance for them to advertise themselves and encourage people to come, making sure those they give offers to understand how they differ from other Oxford colleges, but bringing out the positives in that to try to make sure those they give offers to take the offers up. Or something like that.


I had two such interviews. One, with Sir Kenneth Dover, concerned what books should I send as representative of English Literature to early post-Mao China given that many books would not admitted as being subversive.* Fortunately the interview did not touch on the ethics of doing away with the history tutor.

http://www.newcriterion.com/articles.cfm/The-nasty-truth-5123

* It is a question unlikely to be repeated this week, more than 30 years later.

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