Ask an Oxford Uni student anything

Hi all! I'm really bored and was wondering if anyone has any qs about studying at Oxford/applications/interviews/requirements etc as I'd be happy to help!

What do you take???

How does it feel to have lost the boat race to cambridge?

I study Law

What is the likelihood of getting into oxford postgraduate course with out a levels but with a good degree say like a high 2:1?

is this for law postgrad? what is your undergrad in and are there reasons you dont have a levels (e.g. international student etc.) will help me give you a more thought out answer

Sorry for the ridiculous amount of questions , going to Oxford is a dream of mine so I wouldn't pass up on finding out as much as I can! You don't have to answer every question lol, if any, the last 3.
1. Did you feel "Oxbridge material" early on? Did you ever have any certainty you'd get in, or the opposite?

Tbh I went to a school with a strong history of sending people to Oxbridge so it was kinda drilled into me that I'd apply but I certainly didnt feel very early on it was the place for me it was more following teachers' advice and my GCSE results that pushed me to apply. Going to open days also made me fall in love with it and I dreamt of walking along those cobbles.

2. How much extra reading did you do around your subject?

Not too much! I read maybe 2 or 3 books and went to a Summer School but for Law they really dont look for much extra knowledge. This would be different of course for other subjects (especially humanities.)

3. How much did you do in terms of work experience?

Very little. I had very little legal work experience and more evinced my interest through referencing particular legal debates (e.g. right to die) and an essay I had written in the Summer.

4. What were your GCSE and A Level grades?

11 A*s at GCSE, 3A*s at A level

5. Did any of your other unis not offer you a place?

I received offers from all my places (Oxford, Durham, Bristol, Manchester, Surrey)

6. Did you feel the interviews went well afterwards?

NO!! I was late to one and the other one I just felt he was really looking for something that I just wasnt getting but having spoken to other interviewees I would say the harder they push you the better your interview is.

7. Were you regarded as being top of your year?

No I was maybe top third (but I went to a very academic school so had to have exceptional grades considering, therefore dont worry they will always look at contextual factors.)

8. Why do you think you got into Oxford over people applying for law?

I have absolutely no idea. I had solid GCSEs but was disappointed with my AS levels (AAAB) and LNAT score (24) so I have no idea why they gave me a place. Interview is very important. They appreciate you taking your time to think properly (I asked them for a moment to think and to stare out the window several times) Just be nice and articulate -ultimately this is about whether the tutor wants to teach you one on one for 3 years. Dont ramble and keep calm.

9. What steps did you take in order to improve your chances at getting into Oxford? I.e. extra tuition for LNAT, or etc.

I used Mark Shepherds book for LNAT and my results varied from 30 to low 20s. The essay is very important! Practice that! and keep up to date with current affairs. Look at legal judgements to see how they are set out.

10. What single piece of advice could you give an Oxford hopeful about to start A Levels in September?

1) What were your A-Level subjects?
2) What advice would you have to prepare for the interview/personal statement/how to stand out?
3) Do you have any tips for A-Level revision?- I'm currently drowning in revision praying that I get four As this summer!

Thank you

I would like to do the post grad cert in architectural history at oxford and didn't do A levels. I'm doing the Cert HE at oxford and hope to get a good degree. So if I did get a good degree would not having any A levels look bad on my application?



If you're really bored and have the time you can read my blog http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3968961

If you're still bored why do you think the mentally ill are less likely to get into Oxford than people with other disabilities?@diana1996

Plenty of people I know at Ox have mental illnesses. They're just less likely to have them formally diagnosed, and furthermore declare their issues with the university. I have an anxiety disorder but I haven't told the university, for example.

Yes but the stats I saw say that people who declare a mental illness are less likely to get a place.

What statistics? The sample sizes are pretty small so they're prone to fluctuations. The success rate for people with mental health problems in 2011 was 21.9%, in 2012 it was 10.5%. Overall, the percentages look pretty similar to the overall admissions statistics to me.

Sorry I looked for the stats but can't find them. All I can remember was people with a mental illness were less likely to get a place than anyone else. I just wondered why that might be?

I found this and this. I mean yes, in general the percentages do seem a little low but 1) the sample size is very small and 2) differences generally are not huge, bearing in mind even for people with no disability, the overall admissions percentage is only about 20%. The percentages for mental health look a little on the low side, it's pretty hard to show that it's because of some kind of institutional bias though. There are lots of potential reasons.