Oxford Applicants for 2012 Entry

Haha...I know that otherwise I'll go into the ELAT terrified; if I do a couple and my teacher doesn't think that they're too horrible I'll feel far better.

Also, the key word is 'attempt'...:P

Hi everyone I know you guys have been chatting in here for a while now, so I hope it's not too late to join in

I'm applying for English at New College. I'm a reapplicant; I applied for English at Magdalen last year, didn't get in any of my top choices (partly because of a mistake on my UCAS form, partly because I suck), so decided to reapply.

If anyone has any questions about the interview process or the ELAT, I'm more than happy to help! Unless you want to know how to actually get in

So I take it you got an interview?

Of course you can join us, but only if you first read all 396 pages so far (joking of course!)

What was the nature of the mistake on your UCAS form?

Just got a conditional offer from Exeter... *strokes chin*

I don't know how I feel about this... My first offer, yay.

Just got a conditional offer from Exeter... *strokes chin*

I don't know how I feel about this... My first offer, yay.

Don't worry, I've been lurking for a good 50 or so of them

I did a few courses at a local university and put them under the education section, but I did put that my highest official qualification was secondary education. However, a few universities put in their feedback that they prefer applicants who want to study for their first degree. When I explained the situation one university did change the rejection into an offer but the others said 'well, sucks for you, we already decided now!' I had 2 offers, but from universities I had actually sort-of changed my mind about.

This makes me really nervous.. I am currently studying at my first year at Copenhagen Business School, but my plan was to drop out if I got in at one of my choices in England.. I put in on the UCAS application (saying that I will receive no formal qualification from the university upon entering Oxford (or one of my other choices)) because I wanted to put all my cards on the table. I commented on this in my PS as well, saying this: "I currently study International Business at Copenhagen Business School but feel an urge to be academically challenged and go more in depth with economics than my current course expects me to."
I guess the key is that I wrote that I would receive no formal qualifications - in that case that can't possibly think that this is not going to be my first degree?

Hmm.. This has been my worry all along - did Oxford comment on it?

Done half of an ELAT practice; will do the other half tomorrow. There are five sample papers, so will attempt to do one every day next week....

Where did you find these sample papers may I ask?

It sounds like you're safe; if you specifically mentioned you won't be receiving a qualification I don't think you left a lot of room for misunderstandings. I was a lot less clear than that, mostly because I assumed the fact that I hadn't filled out a qualification was obvious enough.

No, Oxford never commented on it, and I know that's not the reason they rejected me; they provided me with an extremely long and detailed feedback letter, so I'm sure they would have mentioned it.

If you're still worried and think that there might be room for confusion, you could consider sending your choices a quick e-mail to emphasise that you are not working towards a qualification at the moment - but to be honest it sounds like you made it clear enough

Is anyone else getting no help from teachers with the ELAT? My teacher told me not to revise because you can't revise for it?? But I can' t not revise so I'll do them but none of my papers will be marked

So I take it that the university gives feedback if the applicant is rejected? Just out of curiousity, what do you think you have done differently or learn't from, after your first round of applying?

You get feedback if your referee requests it on time, I think (at least, that's how it worked for Magdalen).

I did a quite a few things wrong during my interview, but I got a lot of constructive feedback that I've been working on. For example, I was very nervous and often didn't say everything I was thinking because I was afraid that I would end up rambling and boring them - while in fact the tutors really wanted me to talk more Overall the feedback was really positive and nice, and it gave me the feeling that there was (at least some) hope for me, otherwise I wouldn't have had the courage to reapply