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Oxbridge Interviews

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35mm_

Hey, one question about the interviews. Say for an english interview, the extract that you have to analyse and speak about in the interviews do you get to see it pre-interview, or is spontaneous?

i think you get it a little bit before the interview, so tat you can look through it and makes notes etc. but only 20 minutes or so. i'm not that sure, so check it.

Reply 41

Derek_the_Sheep

jessface

i think you get it a little bit before the interview, so tat you can look through it and makes notes etc. but only 20 minutes or so. i'm not that sure, so check it.

Yes, this is the usual routine. Maybe 30 mins. Depends on College.

DtS

Reply 42

xx_rachel_xx

For anyone who is currently at Oxbridge: how important are factors other than academic achievement?

I have 5A's at higher and 4A's at advanced higher, but because I'm really shy and I can be awkward around new people I'm worried that I will struggle with the interview. Do you think it is worth applying when I will be competing against more extroverted people who find it easy to talk about their subject?

Reply 43

Jinxy

How you handle stress, the stress of an interview maybe.
I am not applying partly because of the interview and the type of shy person i am, dont think its a place for me.

Reply 44

lozziie

They are looking for your potential to succeed.

Trust me, I'm a lot worse than you- my grades, and my confidence, yet I've still been offered a place. From my college, the other person that was accepted has a speech impediment which means that he doesn't feel comfortable speaking.

They look past your nerves- as everyone is very nervous- and will be able to make a fair judgement as to your potential to succeed within Oxbridge. Hope this helps.

Reply 45

A-Man!

Passion of subject above all else.

Reply 46

Aethelred

Jinxy

How you handle stress, the stress of an interview maybe.
I am not applying partly because of the interview and the type of shy person i am, dont think its a place for me.

No - they aren't really interested in how you handle stress and they do their best to make it as stress-free as possible (difficult I know!).

They are looking for people who want to learn and who show enthusiasm. They are trying to find people who they will be able to teach their subject to in the tutorial system.

For both the OP and Jinxy, I'd say that shy people may well prefer the tutorial system of teaching as small groups are usually much easier to handle and the one-to-2 or 3 tutorial group teaching means you get to know your tutor much better and they get to know you much better too. i think it's much easier to have discussions in small groups than it would be in large groups in seminars in other universities. I'd encourage you both to apply if you are likely to be predicted AAA - it's only one UCAS choice so you don't have much to lose.

Reply 47

nexttime

For science subjects (and i guess for arts as well...), how well you take what you know and use logical thought processes to apply that to what you don't know to come to a logical conclusion.

They give you pointers along the way and will never ask you something you know the answer to (if the question has a correct answer).

They are experienced in interviewing and can tell when someone is stressed - once you get over the first few sentences i found it just like speaking to anyone else really- they are good at what they do.

Reply 48

j_w

A-Man!

Passion of subject above all else.

Not meaning to single you out... but why post if its not something you have been through or more generally know much about!?

Anyway, from what my tutors have said its usually a mix of things - i wouldn't worry about being to shy... yes its probably a slight disadvantage, but at the same time it might be helpful (at least you'll think more before you speak than someone who just says the first thing that comes into their head!). Most interviews mimic, to a limited extent, a typical tutorial, so for sciences you'll be given problems, for arts you might be asked to discuss something, etc. What they're looking for is how you deal with the questions - they are likely to be something that you've had little experience with, so they test your ability to deal with new problems, and often to think around them (the answers aren't necessarily obvious).

In addition to that they may go over other things such as why you want to read that subject, etc, but given that most people are 'passionate' about it (when you get to uni, read other peoples personal statements... they're all pretty much identical!), unless you have a particularly inspiring answer you won't really stand out whatever you say. That said, it is worth thinking briefly about what it is that interests you in particular about the course, rather than a generic answer such as I'm interested in x, or something which could be just read out the prospectus.

Tutors are generally very good at helping you to think - obviously they're not going to lead you to the answer but they'll probably put you on the right track and encourage you to think around the problem, or if its a discussion they might just play devil's advocate to get you to really think through your arguments... the point I'm making is they're trying to get the best out of you! Yes, they're testing you, but because its in a format that few have ever really experienced before, they have to structure what they're asking to lead you in the right direction.

So in short... its all still about 'academic factors', but that goes far beyond grades, such as motivation to study the subject and more importantly your ability to think in a way suited to studying it (and that's not something you can really prepare or script). I really wouldn't worry about it! Try (i know its hard) and enjoy the experience! Chances are something your really interested in will come up and you can discuss it with someone who is hopefully one of the world leaders in that area!

Reply 49

Audrey Hepburn

If you're going for a science then shyness and awkwardness are both a requirement.

Reply 50

xx_rachel_xx

Judging by what you've said I've been thinking about the interview in a one-sided way - as J_w and others pointed out, an opportunity to discuss a subject I love with a leading scholar could be very positive!

Thanks for all your replys...lots of helpful advice in there.

Reply 51

azhao

Errrrrrm, I'm quite introvert but I love my subject so much it overcomes it when I discuss it.

Reply 52

Leopold Bloom

The media perception of Oxbridge interviews being like dancing with swords - a high pressured, intense situation, is really quite far removed from the truth. It's actually more like being placed on a rack that's being slowly cranked up while you get whipped for every wrong move.

In all seriousness, it's actually not that stressful and the stress seems to come from people fretting before the interview.

Reply 53

Miss Prankster Pixie

my subject interview was actually really chilled. it was the last session of my day (which i was glad of), and i came away feeling like i learned something about my subject.

what they are actually looking for is the way you think, are you able to see both sides of an argument? are you able to look at a problem in a new way? are your answers supported with evidence? do you get on well with the supervision/tutorial system?

i'm painfully shy and nervous at times. i also have a hearing difficulty which makes understanding people difficult sometimes, so i have to ask people to repeat themselves (particularly if they have a strong accent or are softly spoken). which brought me to be more nervous in interview as i didn't want to annoy the interviewer by asking them to repeat all the time.

give it a go, the worst they can do is say 'no'. they might even say 'yes'. if you don't try, you may always wonder. and if it's not the place for you, leave and re-apply to somewhere else.

good luck.

Reply 54

AsimSr2704

Hi, I have a little query regarding interviews: is it absolutely necessary to go for an interview, even if you're an international student and interviews are not conducted in your country?

Thanks!

Reply 55

Derek_the_Sheep

AsimSr2704

Is it absolutely necessary to go for an interview, even if you're an international student and interviews are not conducted in your country?

http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate_courses/international_students/interviews.html

DtS

Reply 56

DevilsJackass

just curious: has anybody noticed a correlation between the general area the interviewer is specialised in and the general area discussed in the interview?

Reply 57

upstartspacecrow

Word on the street is that international students are beginning to hear from Oxford and Cambridge. I was thinking people could post here when they know one way or another so other people in their area can get an idea for who else has heard, how people are getting there, etc.

So - just post where and for what you're applying, when you sent out your application, etc. if you've gotten an e-mail or a confirmation letter?