"How many of them went to Oxbridge to do medicine? How many of them interviewed Oxford candidates?"I'm only talking about my year and I was talking about a variety of courses regarding Oxbridge not just medicine. In relation to medicine, 7 were invited for interview and only 1 got an offer from Oxford. The person who got the offer, had the least highest grades at GCSE and the least highest BMAT score out of the 7 invited for interview. So obviously his Interview (which obviously went well) was what enabled him to secure an offer.
The advice I gave to @apricitea, was based on my experience, and was in relation to the initial application to Oxbridge, not post interview. The initial application is about securing an interview. If 7 of our cohort applying to do Medicine at Oxbridge secured interviews, then the careers people at the school, must be doing something right.
"I can't speak for your specific advisers, but many really don't have the experience to talk about specific university courses." Our careers advisers regarding Oxbridge entry, were advising about the application to Oxbridge, rather than the specific courses themselves.
"Well that's easy - interviews are determined by BMAT and GCSEs combined. A few places at the end are kept behind for people with special circumstances, which may include information got from the PS."
Yes I meant to include the BMAT Score in the determination for interview along with GCSE grades and PS.
https://www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/study/medicine/pre-clinical/statistics"After interview the interview becomes by far the most important factor. In some colleges its pretty much the only factor." Of course after interview, the interview becomes by far the most important factor, as with all medical schools I would suggest if they have one. Edinburgh is one that comes to mind that do not have interviews. As I stated, my advice was on pre interview, providing the best application you can to secure an interview.
"Or alternatively, the PS wasn't important and you got an interview on your own merit rather than your school's?" That may be the case, but the fact they provide the service, why would any potential candidate not listen to or take their advice, especially if they have a proven track record of obtaining interviews at Oxbridge.
"Precisely. So tailor it to the unis that place greater emphasis on non-academic factors. Surely that is obvious?"That's the point, it's not obvious, because you are the only one giving that advice. If all other mediums and outlets say to do the complete opposite to your lone voice, then it cannot be obvious. Most people, based on human behaviour follow the masses and not the lone voice.
"That's just another private company. And it doesn't even mention medicine."It won't mention individual courses as a whole, it's assuming the same applies to all courses, as logic would dictate. It doesn't mention, law, engineering, education or any course, thus, assumes a holistic approach to all courses.
"How about an article where tutors admit they don't read them https://cherwell.org/2009/05/21/oxford-tutors-admit-they-
ignore-personal-statements/"