Oxford 2011 Freshers Chat Thread

Ahhh right, never heard of them, what did you have to do to apply, just put your name down or fill in an application form etc.???

I have absolutely no idea, I would say the best thing to do is contact your college's admissions tutor who will know

Oh god I'm going crazy. I can't find a job and it's really bringing me down. I apply, I get rejected, I apply, I get rejected... and if I don't get a job I won't be able to travel in the summer so this year is basically **** so far.

Sorry to be such a grouch it's just so frustrating!

Let me introduce myself. I'm Fiona and I'm on a gap year. It happened like this -- the day the results came out and I realised I got in and therefore would have to go to Oxford, I panicked, decided I needed a year to work through depression and to decide if I even wanted to go to University, never mind Oxford. My fellow (who cob007 has maybe met in the German interview?) was really understanding and I'm happy that it was the right decision to make

It's taken me a good 12 months to come round to the fact that I'll be studying at Oxford (it started at "oh no, do I have to, why doesn't Edinburgh want me?" and worked its way through "oh all right then", "well, I do like the city..." to now almost looking forward to it :P). I realise it's a bit unorthodox not to have hoped and dreamed for years about Oxford, but I'll take it as it comes and won't knock it till I've tried it.

What about you? What's your Oxford story - how did the interview go? Do you have any reservations? What are you most looking forward to? And most importantly, did you see the garden? :O

Edit: I'm worried I've come off ungrateful above. Just to clarify: I'm upbeat and chipper! Not grouchy and petulant. You understand how the internet can mess these things up.

What about you guys?

Hmm not sure what advice I can offer you! Presumably you must have a good CV (I'm guessing good grades and experiences to get an Oxford offer) but it's a tough ol' world out there, especially at the moment... do you get any feedback? Where do you apply?

I understand!

I only applied for Oxford on my UCAS because the Biology course at Warwick -- such a beautiful uni, might I add -- lacked the zoology aspect I was after; I never expected to get in. After sending off my UCAS I soon received an offer of ABB from Durham. And that was it, I had secured a place at a friendly and prestigious university and now I could relax!

And then I was asked to head down to Oxford for an interview at St Hugh's college. It was very daunting being so far away from home (I live near Manchester), and the city felt quite alien. Despite this, I felt like I could see my time there for interviews as a miniature holiday; I already had my place at Durham! I think perhaps my resulting 'blasé' attitude helped me to enjoy the interviews. And then, I received good news!

The interviews were really quite fun, particularly my interview at St Hugh's. It was literally just laughing and discussing things I found I enjoyed to discuss. My interview at Hertford wasn't as social; it was one of those instances where you can't tell whether a person really likes you or really doesn't. The content was interesting and the questions were quick, but the challenge was enjoyable!

So anyway, I'm Jared and I'm hoping to study Biological Sciences, belonging to St Hugh's college. Pleased to meet everyone! I am, admittedly, very nervous to consider moving to somewhere I felt so out of place. I made a single friend whilst in Oxford and they were rejected... I worry that I will struggle to find people I will get along with.

Hi Jared I can definitely connect with the blase attitude of your story; I was so sure I wasn't going to go there! It ended up being the only place I got offered. Hah! The irony :P

I wouldn't worry about making friends. Up until a few days ago I was totally freaking out cause I thought everyone would just be toffs who don't care about anything than grades (eugh, inverse snobbery is so unpleasant). But then I got this very reassuring comment from a nice TSRer. Here's my original post and here's the reply.

And if you're ever in Oxford between now and October, I live close and wouldn't mind showing you around. Any excuse to visit oxford, for me. I love the place and know a couple of nooks and crannies which are great to see

So anyway, I'm Jared and I'm hoping to study Biological Sciences, belonging to St Hugh's college. Pleased to meet everyone! I am, admittedly, very nervous to consider moving to somewhere I felt so out of place. I made a single friend whilst in Oxford and they were rejected... I worry that I will struggle to find people I will get along with.

Oh god I'm going crazy. I can't find a job and it's really bringing me down. I apply, I get rejected, I apply, I get rejected... and if I don't get a job I won't be able to travel in the summer so this year is basically **** so far.

Sorry to be such a grouch it's just so frustrating!

Since certain students in this forum have already been issued accommodation information, I am just trying to confirm with you that my plan is OK.

LOL how did that happen?!

Thanks a lot, that reply is reassuring! Some of the people I met... I didn't think they existed; it was like meeting a unicorn, if it was very posh and unpleasant. I guess you will meet people you do and don't get along with no matter where you go.

Wow, thanks for the offer! I will definitely take you up on it if I can get down there! I found navigating the city very difficult, even though it was really quite small. Oh the curse of being useless with a map

Or look at Kamp (Camp?) America / Bunac's summer camps in the US which cover your flights and pay you for being a counsellor? They are pretty cheap ways of travelling overall - I think it's about 300-500 but that's flights and something like 9 weeks away?

I hope you find something

...Warwick -- such a beautiful uni, might I add....

I found navigating the city very difficult, even though it was really quite small. Oh the curse of being useless with a map

hello everyone, Im new here.

But also going to Oxford next year.

Whats everyone studying?

Sorry to doublepost but -- are there any other gap yearers on this thread?

Tell me about it, the place is like a maze! I still get lost in the Covered Market.



Thanks for the recommendations! I have applied to a dozen or so summer jobs in the UK and Europe but I don't really want to work in the US since I want to do a lot of language work this summer in Europe... hopefully someone will offer me a job!

Initally I wanted to earn money in the UK in the winter and travel in Europe in the summer, but maybe I can just read my book list in winter and work in Europe in the summer! Fingers crossed.

And hey, there's always WOOFING, right?

My Granny just bought me University of Oxford tea towels from our local market. I'm starting to think that if she has her way, by the time I get to university everything I own will have an Oxford stamp on it

My Granny just bought me University of Oxford tea towels from our local market. I'm starting to think that if she has her way, by the time I get to university everything I own will have an Oxford stamp on it