Oxford Applicants 2016 Entry & Interview chat

For medicine, anyone know whether Oxford will use our bmat essay in interview? And do they still consider our bmat scores and gcses and personal statement when deciding about offers?

I once read somewhere that they were blinded of our scores, but that the essays were available for them to read and potentially be used in interview. I'm not sure how truthful that is though, or whether if it is, if they still do that. Don't worry about it!

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Thank you! That's reassuring are you studying French at the moment?

Really?! Do you think GCSE's, AS levels, predictions etc are done by department and then the colleges don't actually get to see your grades?
I really hope they make decisions solely based on interview (even though mine didn't go too swell). I heard somewhere that they score your grades, score your interviews then make decisions based on that. But surely if they invite you to interview the only thing they care about is the interview and not your grades anymore? (can anyone shed light on this?)

A student representative from Oxford came to our school to talk to us about interviews and she said that the interview is only one part of their decision so when deciding whether to make an offer or not, they'll take into account gcses, bmat, as levels, predictions, interview performance, reference and personal statement holistically!! Not sure if it's different for medicine but she didn't state any differences!
Have you already had your interview?

Ahh okay. Hmm I'm losing hope then! Yes, I really enjoyed the two that I had they were quite challenging and I made lots of mistakes but they were challenging in a good way. I'm really not expecting an offer and also my grades weren't up to scratch when I applied (I do have a reason, hence it's not a problem) but I am worried they'll compare my grades to others and choose others over me based on that.
I thought Oxford placed a heavy emphasis on interview performance but I'm not sure anymore haha

Well that sounds promising! If there's a reason why your grades may not be up to scratch then they'll definitely take it into account if they're aware of it! I know that they take into account contextual things especially when applicants are from underachieving schools so honestly don't worry too much!! It sounds like your interviews have gone well so just stay positive!

I've applied for medicine too- did you have a science based interview and another that was more the typical kind of medicine interview?

I have a maths and computer science interview next week at St Annes, does anyone have any advice for socialising? I'm worried that I'll just be stuck in my room most of the time

You just have to not stay in your room! It's really easy to get on with people because you instantly have something in common. Whenever I wanted to socialize I just walked up the JCR on my own and chatted to people. I'd say just get into that mindset from the start.....I literally out my bags down and went out straight away, and felt comfortable really quickly.

Thank you, I was so worried that I wouldn't see many people! I'm really excited but logistics and new people make me really nervous, I guess everyone's in the same boat though.

In terms of what Oxford consider when looking at your application, they do take everything into account, and that includes extenuating circumstances if applicable. So your UCAS application (grades, personal statement etc.) will be looked at, as well as any written work, tests and your interviews.

For medicine, anyone know whether Oxford will use our bmat essay in interview? And do they still consider our bmat scores and gcses and personal statement when deciding about offers?

I once read somewhere that they were blinded of our scores, but that the essays were available for them to read and potentially be used in interview. I'm not sure how truthful that is though, or whether if it is, if they still do that. Don't worry about it!

Ive just finished my two law interviews at Magdalen, first went horrendously the second went really well! Is there any hope for me haha? 😂

Oxford's admission process is unknown to most of us. What we think went badly they may think was good. I thought my interview was so-so. So my opinion is like the average of yours :P Don't lose hope and good luck with your application!

Did you apply for law as well? 😊

Are most pooled interviews for standardisation purposes? I was pooled from Lincoln to New and only had 1 interview whilst a New applicant was pooled to Lincoln??

Could someone suggest any reasons for this? My New interview went really well and I want to know if they would consider me after only one 25 minute interview?