University of Oxford 2022 Applicants Official Thread

It’s my pleasure - I felt exactly the same last year! It was actually Oxford Mum who inspired me to go for it as her son got into Oxford with somewhat similar grades to these as well. After you get an interview (provided nothing else comes up that could effect your interview performance, which sadly happened in my case), your interview is judged solely on your academic merit and your potential. I haven’t heard of any cases of extenuating circumstances being brought up (and they weren’t in my case either!) only classic interview questions about your subject and your personal statement.

I got a place at Oriel, hence why azby is talking about it! I couldn’t agree more with what Oxford Mum has said about it - all of the stuff about it being a “Tory college” is merely a stereotype due to its history and age. From the social media chats I’ve been added to outside of TSR on Instagram and places like that, the vast majority of Oriel offer holders, like me, are not Tories! All I can say is that so far, everyone that I’ve talked to in the college has been absolutely brilliant. Before the interview, as I stated my circumstances on the ucas form, the mental health officer/coordinator of the college emailed me personally and asked me if I needed anything for the interviews. Moreover, when a family tragedy came up three days before my interview, the head of the college emailed me himself with his condolences and asked again if there was anything he could do to make the interview process easier. When I did my interviewers, every single interviewer I had was extremely nice, welcoming and interested in my opinions and what I had to say. The head of the college even phoned me up after I emailed him with a query about my application (they had deferred my offer as there was no room for me that year but still wanted to take me!)

Overall, I couldn’t recommend oriel enough. It’s your choice as to where you apply, of course, but never be put off by age or stereotypes of political bias - they’re mostly not true! Best of luck to you!

International student from Singapore

Subject - Physics
College - Probably St Catz
GCSEs - Singapore has a different grading system for O-Levels. Got 9 A1s and 1 B3. I'm assuming A1 is basically a 9 and B3 is equivalent to 7?
A-Levels: Math, Further Math, Physics, Economics
Predictions - No prediction yet but hoping to have 4 distinctions
Why Oxford - Would like to study overseas for uni and Oxford seems like a good place.
Why that college - Love the modern architecture there but seems that a lot of people hate it. lol

Domestic applicant from midlands

Subject - PPE
College - maybe Lincoln, it is very pretty and I like the deep hall bar. Also quite small, central, ensuite bathrooms, and seems friendly
GCSEs - 9999999999 (took additional maths but school said not enough evidence to give us a grade in it, I just let it go as it didnt seem hugely important)
A levels - Maths, Further Maths, Economics, History
Predictions - none get but current grades are A*AA*A - would hope A*AA*A*
Why oxford - tutorials, flexibility of the PPE course, city is beautiful. (also just seems less rigid and stuffy than Cambridge)
Private school, but I'd say it is quite small/grounded (not like some of them)

Hi Sophie!

Yes, Oriel is nicknamed "Toriel" but this is because it is a small, rather understated college. It's not what you may call loud or outrageous.

Last year it took the fifth highest state school intake. My son has received nothing but kindness at the hands of the students and the staff. The last protegee I had was from state school and I recommended Oriel. He is now a fresher and loves it.

It is very beautiful aesthetically and it's entrance is tucked down a sidestreet, so very, very few tourists.

I would truly, truly recommend Oriel from the bottom of my heart.

@azby1098 thanks for the tag

It’s my pleasure - I felt exactly the same last year! It was actually Oxford Mum who inspired me to go for it as her son got into Oxford with somewhat similar grades to these as well. After you get an interview (provided nothing else comes up that could effect your interview performance, which sadly happened in my case), your interview is judged solely on your academic merit and your potential. I haven’t heard of any cases of extenuating circumstances being brought up (and they weren’t in my case either!) only classic interview questions about your subject and your personal statement.

I got a place at Oriel, hence why azby is talking about it! I couldn’t agree more with what Oxford Mum has said about it - all of the stuff about it being a “Tory college” is merely a stereotype due to its history and age. From the social media chats I’ve been added to outside of TSR on Instagram and places like that, the vast majority of Oriel offer holders, like me, are not Tories! All I can say is that so far, everyone that I’ve talked to in the college has been absolutely brilliant. Before the interview, as I stated my circumstances on the ucas form, the mental health officer/coordinator of the college emailed me personally and asked me if I needed anything for the interviews. Moreover, when a family tragedy came up three days before my interview, the head of the college emailed me himself with his condolences and asked again if there was anything he could do to make the interview process easier. When I did my interviewers, every single interviewer I had was extremely nice, welcoming and interested in my opinions and what I had to say. The head of the college even phoned me up after I emailed him with a query about my application (they had deferred my offer as there was no room for me that year but still wanted to take me!)

Overall, I couldn’t recommend oriel enough. It’s your choice as to where you apply, of course, but never be put off by age or stereotypes of political bias - they’re mostly not true! Best of luck to you!

Hey mate, focus on your TSA - a few this year got 80+ but were rejected pre-interview.

Hello everyone. I’ve got some virtual lectures lined up with tutors from Magdalen College for English Lit (and also Oriental studies because I was curious and I had to give a second choice) on Friday and I was wondering if anybody could advise me on how to make the most of them for my personal statement.

Honestly I was so adamant I would never apply but I don't know... as we went into 2021, I think everything with COVID made me realise that life is too short and now I think I could never forgive myself if I didn't at least try and my English teacher told me the same. I've had such a bad time in the past and I think having the chance to study the subject I adore at such a prestigious institution would just be amazing. Thanks for the reassurance for interviews... I'm kind of nervous but I'm trying to tell myself I can cross that bridge when I get to it ha ha. I want to focus on making the best application possible in terms of the bits I can control (ie, my personal statement, ELAT and written work)

It's good to hear that the "Tory" stereotype is just that. I am hugely Left-Wing and whilst I am very much a tolerant person... I think I'd feel really uncomfortable surrounded by majority Right-Wing peers. Oh and another thing.... have you heard anything about the LGBTQ+ scene at Oriel? That would be really important to me

Honestly, the way they've treated you sounds amazing! That's the kind of support and understanding that I think would be beneficial for a candidate like me - especially in terms of my mental and physical health issues. The staff sound really accommodating!

Hi, I was just wondering how you can get involved in virtual lectures? That's something I'd be really interested in... especially for English!

I have no idea. My form tutor sent the sign up form to my tutor group on Teams but I’m guessing he either found it on the college website or someone from the university emailed him about it (as he’s an Oxford alumnus, so I guess he talks to people there?).

Unfortunately, the sign up for the lectures next week closed three weeks ago and I’m not allowed to share the link for safeguarding reasons apparently. But I did see people on the 2021 thread for English Lit talk about masterclasses at Cambridge or something at one point (I think those are £20 to attend though, I’m not sure). I’ve never attended a lecture before, hence the reason as to why I wanted to go to a free one first (and also I don’t want my parents to know where I’m considering applying either yet or ask them for money either ).

Check the college websites for both universities often as I have seen them arrange widening access events like these before. If I find out they’re organising more events like these in the future then I’ll let you and the people on this thread know.

Honestly I was so adamant I would never apply but I don't know... as we went into 2021, I think everything with COVID made me realise that life is too short and now I think I could never forgive myself if I didn't at least try and my English teacher told me the same. I've had such a bad time in the past and I think having the chance to study the subject I adore at such a prestigious institution would just be amazing. Thanks for the reassurance for interviews... I'm kind of nervous but I'm trying to tell myself I can cross that bridge when I get to it ha ha. I want to focus on making the best application possible in terms of the bits I can control (ie, my personal statement, ELAT and written work)

It's good to hear that the "Tory" stereotype is just that. I am hugely Left-Wing and whilst I am very much a tolerant person... I think I'd feel really uncomfortable surrounded by majority Right-Wing peers. Oh and another thing.... have you heard anything about the LGBTQ+ scene at Oriel? That would be really important to me

Honestly, the way they've treated you sounds amazing! That's the kind of support and understanding that I think would be beneficial for a candidate like me - especially in terms of my mental and physical health issues. The staff sound really accommodating!

I’m a Tory (I say this because family and friends have told me some colleges are more left wing and some are more right wing).

Exeter college is very good for lgbt+