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Oxford Applicants 2016 Entry & Interview chat

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I suspect you'll be going to Oxford.

I am not sure if you have been before but it is a beautiful place and I am sure you will fall in love with it. However, it is spread over a wide area and some of the colleges are away from the centre, so I would recommend you prioritise what you want to achieve before you go.

As you want to read Classics you must go to to their presentation and perhaps a taster lecture if there is one (maybe contact them in advance to find out and get the times).

FWIW when I last went to an open day I thought about the questions I wanted to ask before I went and wrote them down. These ranged from the domestic, to course details and questions about the amount/type of work I would be doing. I came away with all my answers and had a better understanding of college life, the course and of what college to apply for.

I would also suggest that you have a look through some of the college websites before you go, this will give you a major head start (eg https://www.sjc.ox.ac.uk/).

I know that a few people here have suggested that they don't really mind where they'll end up, and may even make an 'open application', which is where you make no preference and are allocated a college. However, there are big differences in size, wealth (freebies and support), location, politics (eg The People's Republic of Wadham), people, facilities, where you will live each year (some send you out to shared houses some way away in certain years - others house you in or near college throughout your time there) etc.

Because of the sometimes huge differences I would say time spent ahead of your trip looking at college websites will be a great start and, if you do like the sound of, say, St John's (central, brilliant facilities and RICH) then you can try to go to the college and speak to staff and students there - they will all be friendly and you will learn so much.

It'll be a great day, but you will get so much more out of it if you plan in advance.

Finally, if you've never been, I would recommend you spend 10 or 15 mins having a look at a (Google) map of the colleges, so you can get a feel for where each of them are in relation to important facilities and also get a sense of scale - you'll feel more familiar with the place when you get there!

Best of luck and maybe I'll see you at the Classics presentation (you can recognise me by my avatar). :biggrin:

G D'G

I certainly feel that I will have to look at colleges, probably after exams. I have a few questions which i've asked other university representatives such as whether my A Levels are good enough for Classics as my only useful subjects are Classics and French, and having not done Latin GCSE or A Level will the fact i'm not showing good amount of essay writing ability hinder my chances. An overwhelming amount said they don't care but i'm yet to hear about Oxford's opinion. Also on whether I should begin learning Latin during my A2 year which i'm more than happy to do.

I'm guessing it's a general Open day and as such seeing as we have put down our desired degrees, the college will put us in for the lecture sessions so I should be there. I'll be on the lookout for any gorillas :wink:

Do you know yet as to where you will be applying? I'm currently thinking 5 of: Bristol, St Andrews, Newcastle, Nottingham, Durham, Oxford/Cambridge. Basically anywhere that will accept me onto Classics (not Classical Civilizations, I REALLY want to do the language full on) without having Latin!

Reply 641

Gerald DGrilla

That is good.

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 642

Swifty139

Original post by Gerald DGrilla

Oxford's Classics II is what you need (http://www.classics.ox.ac.uk/classics-ii.html), the open day is where you'll get your answers!

As for me, I really want to go to Oxford, but if that does not work out, then possibly Durham (I am going up there for the open day next month)... possibly UCL or Warwick...

Exciting but nerve wracking....

All the best :smile:

Ooooh lucky you! I missed out on the Classics talks for Durham because they're all booked up so i'm going to Newcastle instead on the same day. I really want to go Oxford too especially for the Classics II course as it's the extra intensive year of Latin which makes me want to go there above all.

UCL won't accept me I don't think, plus it's in London which is expensive :X

Reply 643

Naomi12

Original post by BrasenoseAdm

Blackfriars, St Stephen’s House and Wycliffe Hall admit only mature students for Theology and in consequence 99% of applicants will not be reallocated to these specialised Permanent Private Halls.

Regents Park College and St Benet's Hall are smaller than the other colleges and also admit for fewer subjects. Those subjects that are offered, however, are taught in exactly the same way as elsewhere. St Benet's is now mixed (co-ed). Anecdotally, I think both offer very good student experiences and the atmosphere seems relatively informal - if anyone on TSR is a member of either institution, perhaps they could comment further?

To add any help that I can, I'm currently an offer holder for Regent's after reallocation, and though at first I was disappointed I now am genuinely happy about the reallocation - the atmosphere of the post offer day was amazing, they're amazing for my subject and they have a tortoise - what more could you want? :tongue:

But seriously, I suggest that everyone takes a look at the less known colleges like regent's - many avoid it because of it being known as a weird PPH, but you never know that you won't like it until you look!

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 644

Gerald DGrilla

Excellent.

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 645

rxns_00

Guys does anyone know if you can just pay your college extra to say in your accommodation during like the holidays between terms? I really don't fancy packing up and taking my crap back up to Birmingham, I'd rather just pay?

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 646

BrasenoseAdm

Official Rep

Original post by RonnieRJ

Colleges usually offer the option of a longer tenancy (37-40 weeks) to students wishing to be resident after term ends. There are also vacation residence rates but these usually mean you will be asked to change room (which involves moving stuff). Some storage is generally available but it is in limited supply, given the number of students and the space taken up with personal belongings. There may also be holiday closure periods at Christmas and Easter for students who do not have tenancies and/or compelling reasons to remain in residence.

Reply 647

suzywithaZY

Wow, this thread is so quiet in comparison to the Cambridge one :lol:

Reply 648

lnstrumentality

Has anyone done the BMAT? How hard it is?

Reply 649

antigone-

On a similar note, has anybody done the HAT? How should I prepare?

Reply 650

lifescomplexity

Original post by Blue16

Yep, Scottish (just finished my Highers last week)! I assume the English exams have started? (that exam season inevitable - I have no idea what's happening in the outside world; including England).

Good luck with your AS levels! Judging by your GSCE's and predicted grades I'm sure you'll do fine!

Yep English AS exams started second week of May-ish, and I was lucky enough to finish on the 20th! Just chilling now until we go back to sch on the 8th of June :biggrin:

Haha thanks, you too!! I'm glad I've found someone else applying for History on this thread, there's been no one so far!! It's weird :O good luck :smile:

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 651

Gerald DGrilla

Original post by thechemistress

Wow, this thread is so quiet in comparison to the Cambridge one :lol:

More so when you strip out the discussions about why the Oxford thread is so much quieter than the Cambridge one!

:tongue:

Reply 652

Rifleboy123

Well if any of you people have questions about the application process (particularly scientists/CompSci applicants) feel free to message me here or via PM or anything. Maybe this year you guys are all just too super informed and confident to talk xD Or too busy revising :' :wink:

Edit: I'm an offer holder btw, not a student just yet :P

Reply 653

politicalmind

Anyone doing the LNAT?

Reply 654

Sofifa

Original post by LamantChenille

Is anyone else thinking of applying for a choral or organ scholarship this year? :smile:

Heya,
Well i've thought about that, but not sure what it entitles nor if i can get it even if i don't study music.I am not yet aware of how it works but was thinking about it haha

Reply 655

BrasenoseAdm

Official Rep

Original post by antigone-

On a similar note, has anybody done the HAT? How should I prepare?

Our students generally say that they had a go at questions from past papers and asked if their teachers would give some feedback. You can find some past papers here:

http://www.history.ox.ac.uk/prospective/undergraduate/applying/the-history-aptitude-test.html

An important feature of the HAT is that it is an Oxford-only test that is set and marked by members of the History Faculty (although not necessarily the Tutors who may end up interviewing you since marking is centrally organised). The marking is moderated to ensure consistency between markers.

Tip: ask your teachers nicely for feedback!

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 656

Blue16

Original post by lifescomplexity

Yep English AS exams started second week of May-ish, and I was lucky enough to finish on the 20th! Just chilling now until we go back to sch on the 8th of June :biggrin:

Haha thanks, you too!! I'm glad I've found someone else applying for History on this thread, there's been no one so far!! It's weird :O good luck :smile:

Posted from TSR Mobile

Yeah, you'd think there'd be more on the thread? Mind you, I'm doubting whether I'll get the grades this year to apply (Higher Maths may have put paid to that...).

How did you feel your exams went?

Reply 657

antigone-

Original post by BrasenoseAdm

Our students generally say that they had a go at some questions from past papers and asked if their teachers would give some feedback. You can find some past papers here:

http://www.history.ox.ac.uk/prospective/undergraduate/applying/the-history-aptitude-test.html

The important feature of the HAT is that is an Oxford-only test that is set and marked by members of the History Faculty (although not necessarily the Tutors who may end up interviewing you since marking is centrally organised). The marking is moderated to ensure consistency between markers.

Tip: ask your teachers nicely for feedback!

Thank you haha, I'll start doing that after exams! :smile:

Reply 658

fluteflute

Original post by thechemistress

Wow, this thread is so quiet in comparison to the Cambridge one :lol:

Original post by Gerald DGrilla

More so when you strip out the discussions about why the Oxford thread is so much quieter than the Cambridge one!

:tongue:

As time honoured tradition dictates, it's time to answer some questions and get to know each other! This thread will be much more fun if you start chatting and spamming a little more....

1. If you don't mind saying, what is your real first name?
2. What are your hobbies of the sort that you really can't put on the personal statement?
3. Most surreal thing you have ever done?
4. Any particularly eccentric academic interests (not "I love Earth Sciences". Or history, or maths. Things that aren't your subject.)
5. Favourite Harry Potter character?
6. Best thing to combine with peanut butter?
7. Opinions on Gangnam Style?
8. Who on the thread would you like to have children with?
9. Tea or coffee?
10. Favourite TSR smiley?
11. How do you prove that the real numbers are uncountable? And why is this proof like skiing/Wowbagger the Infinitely Prolonged from Douglas Adams?

Answer as many or as few as you wish, but for goodness' sake start talking to each other.

Reply 659

suzywithaZY

I'm most likely not applying to Oxford (Cambridge gal over here :wink:

) but I might as well answer some of these xD

1. If you don't mind saying, what is your real first name?
My real (well, my preferred) first name is Suzy.

2. What are your hobbies of the sort that you really can't put on the personal statement?
Hmmm. There's a lot of hobbies that I have that would seem weird to mention on my personal statement. I'm a casual dancer, in that I watch loads of choreographed dances on YouTube and then teach myself the choreography. I do a lot of walking and exploring, read quite a lot and I'm a serial TV watcher :lol:

I also write a few movie reviews on my blog- or if they're not good enough to be published, just in my journal. And I listen to a lottttt of K-Pop- I spend a lot of time on it.

3. Most surreal thing you have ever done?
Can't say I've really done anything surreal tbh :lol:

I feel that my life is lacking in that respect xD

4. Any particularly eccentric academic interests (not "I love Earth Sciences". Or history, or maths. Things that aren't your subject.)
Not eccentric, but I absolutely adore languages- I'd love to have enough time to learn a load of new languages. Summer plans maybe? :wink:

5. Favourite Harry Potter character?
Probably Fred and George- they seem pretty chill and down to have a good time.

6. Best thing to combine with peanut butter?
Nothing BECAUSE IT'S DISGUSTING

7. Opinions on Gangnam Style?
Annoying because people assume that it's what all of K-Pop is like, which it really isn't. Soooo many better artists under YG- Try Bigbang or 2NE1

8. Who on the thread would you like to have children with?
Nobody :lol:

since I don't really know anybody on here xD

9. Tea or coffee?
Neither. Hot beverages should be illegal. And yes, that includes hot chocolate.

10. Favourite TSR smiley?
:lol:

I over use it xD :lol:

11. How do you prove that the real numbers are uncountable? And why is this proof like skiing/Wowbagger the Infinitely Prolonged from Douglas Adams?

I'm not even going to attempt to word and explanation to that question :lol: