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Oxford History Students and Applicants

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Where's the old thread?!?!
Reply 1061
Avatar for arminb
arminb
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Im thinking of not readig the books i said ive read and do some other helpful stuff. Theres a 50/50 chance that they will ask me about them.
how are you preparing for the interview?
Original post by arminb
Im thinking of not readig the books i said ive read and do some other helpful stuff. Theres a 50/50 chance that they will ask me about them.
how are you preparing for the interview?


I only mentioned one book- which I said I was currently reading- so I'm actually going to finish it :tongue: I am planning on reading books about some of the areas of interest I mentioned in my PS though, mostly because I've been dying to read this book on the Tudors for months, and this gives me a chance to buy it :biggrin:

Of course, I also have to re-read some books for the English side of my course, so I'm going to be speed reading Jane Eyre, Great Expectations, Fahrenheit 451, and Lord of the Flies. Luckily the interviews are more conceptual than fact-based :wink:
Reply 1063
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arminb
3
Original post by 62442fanatic
I only mentioned one book- which I said I was currently reading- so I'm actually going to finish it :tongue: I am planning on reading books about some of the areas of interest I mentioned in my PS though, mostly because I've been dying to read this book on the Tudors for months, and this gives me a chance to buy it :biggrin:

Of course, I also have to re-read some books for the English side of my course, so I'm going to be speed reading Jane Eyre, Great Expectations, Fahrenheit 451, and Lord of the Flies. Luckily the interviews are more conceptual than fact-based :wink:

yea and thats why i dont really want to waste time to increase my knowledge. I'd rather try to think about the concept of history and practise arguing. But i dont know how to prepare for those:confused: so mixed up it is.
Original post by arminb
Im thinking of not readig the books i said ive read and do some other helpful stuff. Theres a 50/50 chance that they will ask me about them.
how are you preparing for the interview?


:unsure: As you know, Oxford pays little attention to the PS in terms of it affecting the offer decision. However, not reading the books that you say you have read is one way in which your PS might easily harm your chances. Information from it is often used in a History interview as a springboard for discussion. Your submitted written work may also be used in this way. This happened in my own interviews, both in terms of PS and written work.

A better plan at this stage might be to use the books that you have referred to in the PS and written work as a vehicle for considering in depth the broader issues that you have in mind. That way, you can gen up on your cited books without feeling that it is wasting cramming time.

Best of luck :smile:
Original post by arminb
yea and thats why i dont really want to waste time to increase my knowledge. I'd rather try to think about the concept of history and practise arguing. But i dont know how to prepare for those:confused: so mixed up it is.


Think about debates :smile: and the line of argument you would take, sounds weird, but try debating historical ideas and interpretations of events in your head.

with the books, theres no way I'll read all the ones i've mentioned, half of them I've lent to friends anyway! but maybe think about them and read specific extracts which stood out for you + why they made you think/develop your ideas...that make any sense?
(edited 10 years ago)
Question about written work. For someone who has graduated from IB few years ago, obviously I dont have a recent piece of academic writing, nor is there a teacher to correct and sign anything (cover sheet). Is it possible to ask the Oxford college to recommend an essay topic? though there's the obvious problem of ending up with a topic im unfamiliar with (therefore harder to discuss in an interview) as opposed to other topics I love reading around which Id discuss any day.

Any advice?
Original post by GrapeLeaves
Question about written work. For someone who has graduated from IB few years ago, obviously I dont have a recent piece of academic writing, nor is there a teacher to correct and sign anything (cover sheet). Is it possible to ask the Oxford college to recommend an essay topic? though there's the obvious problem of ending up with a topic im unfamiliar with (therefore harder to discuss in an interview) as opposed to other topics I love reading around which Id discuss any day.

Any advice?


Hi there. According to the website the correct approach is, as you suspect: 'If these requirements cause any problems, please contact the Tutor for Admissions at your college of preference'.

http://www.history.ox.ac.uk/prospective/undergraduate/applying/the-application-process.html#c255

Just a personal opinion, and no substitute for contacting your preferred college, but you have plenty of time over the next few months, so in your shoes I would probably enrol on some kind of a course that would give you the opportunity to get an essay marked. Then you could ask the college whether this would be suitable.

I wouldn't worry about the part that I have highlighted in bold. If you do get to Oxford then you would be expected to write at least one 2500 word essay per week on a topic that you will generally know nothing about, and then defend your essay in a tutorial. So, because the interview is rather like a mini-tutorial, then even if they give you an essay topic that is completely unfamiliar territory. you would almost certainly be expected to know it inside out by the time the interview comes around. Indeed, often in one of your interviews you will be given a source extract either just before or during the interview and grilled on it, whether it's your favourite period or one you have never studied.

Good luck :smile:
Original post by shoshin
Hi there. According to the website the correct approach is, as you suspect: 'If these requirements cause any problems, please contact the Tutor for Admissions at your college of preference'.

http://www.history.ox.ac.uk/prospective/undergraduate/applying/the-application-process.html#c255

Just a personal opinion, and no substitute for contacting your preferred college, but you have plenty of time over the next few months, so in your shoes I would probably enrol on some kind of a course that would give you the opportunity to get an essay marked. Then you could ask the college whether this would be suitable.

I wouldn't worry about the part that I have highlighted in bold. If you do get to Oxford then you would be expected to write at least one 2500 word essay per week on a topic that you will generally know nothing about, and then defend your essay in a tutorial. So, because the interview is rather like a mini-tutorial, then even if they give you an essay topic that is completely unfamiliar territory. you would almost certainly be expected to know it inside out by the time the interview comes around. Indeed, often in one of your interviews you will be given a source extract either just before or during the interview and grilled on it, whether it's your favourite period or one you have never studied.

Good luck :smile:


You make a good point. They would take the circumstances (i.e. them giving me the topic) into account, though obviously I would read around the topic before the interview :P
Is anyone going to the open day tomorrow?
I'm a recently-accepted fresher planning which papers to study this coming year, and I'd appreciate some advice from current historians on the choice of Optional Subject. I'm leaning toward either (5) English Chivalry and the French War, or (6) Crime and Punishment in England. Can anyone who has taken either of these options testify as to whether they're worth taking? (Otherwise, I'm open to hearing suggestions for other Optional Subjects as well). Thanks!
I am going to apply to do history at oxford and need help with the HAT. My mum forked out for a tutor but he's worrying me because he says I'm inferring too much into my answers but his suggestions sound too simple and so I don't know what skills I'm supposed to be showing?? State school so don't have many people I can ask so any suggestions would be loved
Original post by Missmicrotia
I am going to apply to do history at oxford and need help with the HAT. My mum forked out for a tutor but he's worrying me because he says I'm inferring too much into my answers but his suggestions sound too simple and so I don't know what skills I'm supposed to be showing?? State school so don't have many people I can ask so any suggestions would be loved


It may be worth taking a look at the 2012 and 2013 HAT threads, which contain a fair amount of useful advice. By all means start a 2014 thread if you need further help :smile:

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2389724&p=43302363#post43302363

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2159966&p=40026282#post40026282
Original post by Missmicrotia
I am going to apply to do history at oxford and need help with the HAT. My mum forked out for a tutor but he's worrying me because he says I'm inferring too much into my answers but his suggestions sound too simple and so I don't know what skills I'm supposed to be showing?? State school so don't have many people I can ask so any suggestions would be loved


Hi!

You didn't ask my opinion, but personally, I wouldn't have hired a tutor for the HAT, it's supposed to be an aptitude test - it tests skills, not knowledge, and there's no right or wrong answer. All I did in preparation was look at some past paper questions (and wrote some quick notes about what I'd put down as an answer), and then I did a timed paper and asked my history teacher at school to mark it. It wasn't easy, but it wasn't terrible either, and it's not really supposed to be like an A-level exam.

If it helps, even if you've heard that students at private schools might be somehow getting more help with the HAT, I doubt it makes much difference in the end. Remember it's only one factor in the admissions process and don't stress too much! :smile:
Original post by Niki_girl
Hi!

You didn't ask my opinion, but personally, I wouldn't have hired a tutor for the HAT, it's supposed to be an aptitude test - it tests skills, not knowledge, and there's no right or wrong answer. All I did in preparation was look at some past paper questions (and wrote some quick notes about what I'd put down as an answer), and then I did a timed paper and asked my history teacher at school to mark it. It wasn't easy, but it wasn't terrible either, and it's not really supposed to be like an A-level exam.

If it helps, even if you've heard that students at private schools might be somehow getting more help with the HAT, I doubt it makes much difference in the end. Remember it's only one factor in the admissions process and don't stress too much! :smile:


Thanks for that I'll keep that in mind and try what you suggested :smile:
Original post by shoshin
It may be worth taking a look at the 2012 and 2013 HAT threads, which contain a fair amount of useful advice. By all means start a 2014 thread if you need further help :smile:

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2389724&p=43302363#post43302363

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2159966&p=40026282#post40026282


Thanks :smile:
Does anybody know what the "passing" HAT score to get into the interview round would be? Took a practice exam and tried to score myself conservatively -- 41/100... Of course this was the 2007 specimen so I don't know how well I'd match up with the current one. I heard Oxford has made it harder.


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Reply 1077
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squid-
Original post by ssswims
Does anybody know what the "passing" HAT score to get into the interview round would be? Took a practice exam and tried to score myself conservatively -- 41/100... Of course this was the 2007 specimen so I don't know how well I'd match up with the current one. I heard Oxford has made it harder.


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Hi, I did the HAT last year and from the HAT thread I seem to remember someone saying around 50 was the passmark, but it changes every year and depends on the other parts of your application also. Also I reckoned the paper I did last year was easier than any of the past papers I'd had a go at so I really wouldn't worry about it if I were you. I got seriously worked up about it and honestly, there's just no point. Just answer your questions clearly and make sure you spend the right amount of time on each question and you should be fine. If there's any advice which I found useful, it was a current history student at Oxford saying don't forget essay structure when it comes to the essay question (i.e. introduction, structured paragraphs and conclusion) because a lot of people panic and just word-dump. :smile:
Squid -

Thanks for your help. How many paragraphs did you write for the big questions (1c and 2)?


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Reply 1079
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squid-
Original post by ssswims
Squid -

Thanks for your help. How many paragraphs did you write for the big questions (1c and 2)?


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I can't really remember that well, but for 1C probably about 6 paragraphs including an introduction and conclusion, and for 2 (as I think structure is less important) probably 10+ paragraphs (if you could even call them paragraphs haha) but we did get a weird list of objects for the source so I was a bit thrown and decided to write as much as possible to try and maximise my marks :tongue:
But I really think it comes down to what the question is asking and for 1C, what you choose to write about. For me, that amount of paragraphs was the best answer I could come up with - for you it might be different. Stop over-thinking it, it's going to be fine!

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