[eve_22]

Hi everyone,

have been looking through Oxford Colleges and to be honest, am really not sure which one of them appeals to me more...

I am a mature student, so if I make an open application is it likely to be considered onloy by Harris Manchester college or by others too?

I am considering applying for Law and am currently doing an Access course at Birkbeck...

I emailed admissions office at Oxford and have been told the course I am doing is accepted by them and quite a few people have entered the university with that particular course in the last few years...

so what do you all think-open application or not?

[bagelfrap]

I'd say there is a fair chance you will be placed at Harris Manchester.

[*pitseleh*]

I applied to a different college as a mature student last year, but was also interviewed at Harris Manchester - and they told me that I was automatically picked to be interviewed there because of my age. I don't know if the same will hold true this year, but obviously if it is the case again, it would make sense to apply to a different college first, to maximise your chances.

That said, I came out of my HMC interviews wishing I'd applied there from the offset; the staff and students were so much friendlier than at the other college, and the the buildings at HMC were much nicer to look at, if you're interested in aesthetics - the prospectus photos don't really do it justice. Oh - and it moved up five places in the Norrington Table this year!

Also, don't worry about the ages of the other students (something else I considered, as I'm only 22) - the average age is 25, but there are plenty of people of all ages over 21.

Edit: for clarity.

[Athena]

There's a fairly high chance of being place at HMC. Just don't get too attached to any friends you make there if you do get in - some ridiculous percentage of HMC defer (because real life often intrudes) part-way through their degree. My friends at HMC moan about this.

HMC bops are an interesting experience...

[eve_22]

Originally Posted by *pitseleh*

I applied to a different college as a mature student last year, but was also interviewed at Harris Manchester - and they told me that I was automatically picked to be interviewed there because of my age. I don't know if the same will hold true this year, but obviously if it is the case again, it would make sense to apply to a different college first, to maximise your chances.

That said, I came out of my HMC interviews wishing I'd applied there from the offset; the staff and students were so much friendlier than at the other college, and the college itself was much nicer to look at, if you're interested in aesthetics - the prospectus photos don't really do it justice. Oh - and it moved up five places in the Norrington Table this year!

Also, don't worry about the ages of the other students (something else I considered, as I'm only 22) - the average age is 25, but there are plenty of people of all ages over 21.

Thanks a lot for your reply...Could I ask how old were you when you applied? What qualifications did you have? I found Oxford admissions team very helpful so far, while Cambridge answered my email and my question with a direction to admissions page on their website...

[*pitseleh*]

Originally Posted by eve_22

Thanks a lot for your reply...Could I ask how old were you when you applied? What qualifications did you have? I found Oxford admissions team very helpful so far, while Cambridge answered my email and my question with a direction to admissions page on their website...

You're welcome! :^_^:

I was 21 when I applied - was nearly 22, though. I have A*A*A*A*A*AAAAAB at GCSE and AAAB at A-level, though I only had AAB when I applied: I took up Biology A-level last year (in addition to English Literature, Film and Art from the first time around), and the offer was conditional upon my getting that third A, which I did.

I too found Oxford very helpful, though I have no experience of Cambridge's system to be able to compare them. Let me know if you have any other questions, but good luck with your application either way!

[eve_22]

Originally Posted by *pitseleh*

You're welcome! :^_^:

I was 21 when I applied - was nearly 22, though. I have A*A*A*A*A*AAAAAB at GCSE and AAAB at A-level, though I only had AAB when I applied: I took up Biology A-level last year (in addition to English Literature, Film and Art from the first time around), and the offer was conditional upon my getting that third A, which I did.

I too found Oxford very helpful, though I have no experience of Cambridge's system to be able to compare them. Let me know if you have any other questions, but good luck with your application either way!

Well done on your A levels...

I got no A levels, but am currently studying on an Access course (120CATS points at level 4) which is accepted by Oxford. I think I will just take my chances and try my luck...Admissions officer there was very encouraging and I am just about to email Harris Manchester to see what they think of my situation...

Fingers crossed and all I can do is hope for the best

[*pitseleh*]

Originally Posted by eve_22

Well done on your A levels...

I got no A levels, but am currently studying on an Access course (120CATS points at level 4) which is accepted by Oxford. I think I will just take my chances and try my luck...Admissions officer there was very encouraging and I am just about to email Harris Manchester to see what they think of my situation...

Fingers crossed and all I can do is hope for the best

Thanks! I've already met a couple of freshers and a few existing HMC students who took the Access route, so I'm sure you'll be fine. The staff at college are absolutely lovely - I'm sure they'll be able to reassure you.

Hope things work out - you seem to have the same attitude about it all as I did this time last year, so I guess that bodes well for a start.

[eve_22]

Originally Posted by *pitseleh*

Thanks! I've already met a couple of freshers and a few existing HMC students who took the Access route, so I'm sure you'll be fine. The staff at college are absolutely lovely - I'm sure they'll be able to reassure you.

Hope things work out - you seem to have the same attitude about it all as I did this time last year, so I guess that bodes well for a start.

I really hope so I will have to see what Harris Manchester admissions team replies to me and make my decision...

I really want to study Law and hope that my personal statement will reflect it as much as possible...The only thing I am worried about is the LNAT...but then again, I usually worry to much

[eve_22]

Originally Posted by *pitseleh*

Thanks! I've already met a couple of freshers and a few existing HMC students who took the Access route, so I'm sure you'll be fine. The staff at college are absolutely lovely - I'm sure they'll be able to reassure you.

Hope things work out - you seem to have the same attitude about it all as I did this time last year, so I guess that bodes well for a start.

Sorry just one more question...

Do I need to fill in separate application form for Harris Manchester? Also as far as I know they do not require written work to be submitted along the application anymore? Please correct me if I am wrong...

[*pitseleh*]

There's no separate application form.. but I'm not sure with regards to the written work, because I applied to a different college first (one that did require written work). However, I do know that HMC never saw my written work, so... *shrugs*

I think you'd be best off emailing them. They will send a letter requesting written work before it's due - but as the deadline for all written work is November 10th, it would be handy to get a head-start if you need to put anything together.

[eve_22]

Originally Posted by *pitseleh*

There's no separate application form.. but I'm not sure with regards to the written work, because I applied to a different college first (one that did require written work). However, I do know that HMC never saw my written work, so... *shrugs*

I think you'd be best off emailing them. They will send a letter requesting written work before it's due - but as the deadline for all written work is November 10th, it would be handy to get a head-start if you need to put anything together.

It says on Harris Manchester website that all applicants need to fill in a separate application form...It also says that written work is required...However, there is an update on Oxford admissions website that written work is no longer required, so I guess it's ok...Just not sure about that applicaiton form still...

When did you apply?

[*pitseleh*]

Originally Posted by eve_22

It says on Harris Manchester website that all applicants need to fill in a separate application form...It also says that written work is required...However, there is an update on Oxford admissions website that written work is no longer required, so I guess it's ok...Just not sure about that applicaiton form still...

When did you apply?

The thing on the HMC website is probably in reference to the Oxford Application Form (OAF) which was still used last year - when I applied - but has been scrapped this year. I think they've probably just neglected to update the site - there's other slightly out-of-date information on there, too, IIRC.

[eve_22]

Originally Posted by *pitseleh*

The thing on the HMC website is probably in reference to the Oxford Application Form (OAF) which was still used last year - when I applied - but has been scrapped this year. I think they've probably just neglected to update the site - there's other slightly out-of-date information on there, too, IIRC.

I will try to email them and ask just to be sure...Thanks for your help