Chemistry Applicants 2015

I forgot you were also at Wadham, we must have met each other then...

Did you want to have another interview at a different college?

X

Well at least you're happy with how you did, I'm glad yours went well I wish I could say the same! My physical/organic was so so difficult. Ridiculous question about 1p coins being arranged in a pattern...Both the interviews really pushed me for an answer, which sometimes took a few hints. It was just so intense. Everyone I talked to got to the same answers, so it was difficult to compare how you did in relation to other candidates. In the maths one it was just simple a-level questions but I just couldn't think straight so I'm quite disappointed with that one. The highlight of my interviews was when I broke one of their pens and I was there panicking trying to fix it haha. But I guess we'll see in 4 weeks time, I'm trying not to get my hopes up...

I got my offer from Birmingham which came today so I am very happy! I applied to Leeds, Sheffield, Birmingham and Huddersfield


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Thank you. Oh god, that coin question does sound odd.
My maths one was really quite complicated, however he guided me through it.
I'm trying not to get my hopes up as well. I was pretty much certain I'd get rejected post-interview before the actual interviews but now I'm starting to stupidly consider that I may get an offer. Which is stupid. So stop.

Just bear in mind that the interviews are supposed to be hard! So just because you found it hard doesn't mean you're not getting in

Hey, when did you send your application off? I sent mine on the 20th Nov and I haven't heard anything for manchester, except a confirmation email :l

Now that everyone's finished. How did everyone find the Oxford interviews?

I think they were OK. They were definitely very very difficult, but they went better than I expected and better than my mock interviews. I was able to answer a decent amount of questions, and if I wasn't, or if I answered something wrong, I was able to pick up on their hints and get to the right answer.
My first one was on physical and inorganic which I felt went quite well, and at the end they said it was good, though I don't know whether that was because I looked mortified. And someone was watching the interview the whole time, perhaps a PhD student or something, and after I left, she left as well, and she said well done. So that kind of made me feel better.
The second one was on organic and maths, which was harder mainly because I haven't done any A2 organics yet and the woman was going through it all so fast, it was hard to follow. But I think I did fine on the maths.
In the end, 9 out of 27 Keble chemists were sent home without follow up interviews (including me). This 9 must me made up of a few who ranked at the very top and a few at the very bottom. I really don't think I could've been at the very bottom, especially since they take into account your background (first person from my school to apply to Oxbridge, etc).
On the other hand, I don't want to get my hopes up. I guess we'll see in January. Even though all of the decisions will be made by the end of this week
How did yours go?

Aah yeah I know quite a few people who have applied to Leeds :P And I did like everything about Birmingham, apart from the fact that it was in Birmingham :/ Lived there all my life, fancied a change ya know

I was like that for Leeds, but I still put it on... Birmingham is definitely my first choice! I was so impressed with it, but I totally understand you wanting to move away from home! The thing about it for me is that it's far enough away to be a good distance from home, but easy enough to get back on the train if I really wanted to. Plus it's just generally great where have you heard from? Posted from TSR Mobile

Birmingham *is* nice tbf, really loved their chemistry demo which they did when I went to an open day there. I've heard back from Keele (which is going to be my insurance probably), Nottingham and York (got an interview there in Jan but I'm guaranteed an offer so I'm not too worried about that). Actually on my way to my Manchester interview now, my offer rests on this!

I think the worst part is thinking what you could of or should of said in the interview!
I've spent the rest of my afternoon trying to suss out what it means to be sent home without another interview at a different college, and I really have no clue. Initially I thought it meant that you've either got an offer or got rejected, but I just don't know anymore. Hopefully I'll forget about it over the holidays and not let it worry me too much.

Congrats, glad you thought it went well. Hope you get an offer

Are responses sent out exactly on the 8th or can it be beforehand?

How do you know that you've been ranked either in the top few or bottom few... have you read that somewhere or been told that? Just curious as I was sent home without being pooled also.

Thank you. How did yours go?
Umm, I haven't seen an official document or anything but I've heard people on here say the 7th and the 8th.

Appallingly

Interesting, thank you. I assume it's the same procedure across the whole department, I doubt that fact would vary among colleges. (probably means i've been straight rejected )

Good luck with Manchester! Really enjoyed mine, and the food was good

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Oh come on. I'm sure you were able to pick up on a few hints and get to the right answer?