History Written Work to Oxford - um, help?

Okay, so I have to send in written work to Oxford by the 10th of November - the course I am applying for is History and the college is Worcester. I emailed the Admissions tutor asking her what sort of written work they want to receive and she said it can't be a source-based essay, and it can only be an A2 (Year 13) essay. She also said something that thoroughly confused me -- "it can't be a structured question" and I assume that means I can't write an essay based on a specific exam question directed at a certain topic? Which is really odd, and also annoying, because the only "type" of essays we do for school are structured ones - I would've been happy to write just a random essay on whatever historical topic we're doing at school but she also said it HAD to be a marked essay, specifically done as part of school work. And, as I've just said, the only type of essays we do at school are structured ones based on exam questions. *sigh*

Ok, so please don't take this as gospel as I am thinking back a few years here but I *think* they mean that they don't want a question that has an a) and b) section or one that is along the lines of "talk about x considering first y) and z)" ie: one that guides you through how to write the answer.

I *think* that they expect an essay along the lines of "To what extent did x affect y". As the tutor said, it is supposed to be something you have done as 'normal' so that they can a) see what level you are working at normally (without lots of extra prep) and b) so they know it is a topic you have studied and would be able to talk about in interview.

You could also ask on the Oxford specific board as there is lots of chat going on there about applications and requirements (plus possibly some Oxford historians who have done this more recently than me).

Thank you so much for clearing that up!

When you are choosing (assuming you have done more than one essay that could be sent in) do bear in mind that the essay may be used as a starting point for discussion in an interview (as well as being given a score as part of the decision making process) so don't send in an essay about a topic you hated and can't talk about widely with interest and passion. Obviously if one essay is miles ahead mark wise or is the only essay you've done you will have to go with it but if you can choose, do it carefully.

Ok, so please don't take this as gospel as I am thinking back a few years here but I *think* they mean that they don't want a question that has an a) and b) section or one that is along the lines of "talk about x considering first y) and z)" ie: one that guides you through how to write the answer.

I *think* that they expect an essay along the lines of "To what extent did x affect y". As the tutor said, it is supposed to be something you have done as 'normal' so that they can a) see what level you are working at normally (without lots of extra prep) and b) so they know it is a topic you have studied and would be able to talk about in interview.

You could also ask on the Oxford specific board as there is lots of chat going on there about applications and requirements (plus possibly some Oxford historians who have done this more recently than me).