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Oxbridge is heavy - think about what you're getting into

I think the OP has made a very good point - I don't see why so many people slated him/her? And those of you who called Durham and York "second-rate" are just pathetic IMO - I have thought myself a lot over whether I would actually prefer Warwick to Cambridge and in the end chose Cambridge.

Many people fall in love with the place and forget about the work... as my offer requires an A in Further Maths I'm doing loads lately to try and make sure I can meet that. Plus I'd quite like an A in chemistry too and I'm sucking at chemistry lately.

Perhaps you didn't choose quite the best time to post it as most of us are stressing over exams and doubting whether we really will be able to handle Oxbridge!

Good luck with your MA!

Reply 81

allymcb2

8

Ethereal

You yourself have said you are not yourself in real life, so they didn't accept you they accepted a persona.

This post is aimed also at coaster, but this quote was a more succinct version of it.

There is a thing in life that we non grown-ups like to call political astuteness. What it basically means is that in formal and professional situations, such as Oxford interviews there are certain opinions which it is not a good idea to voice, as it is a bad idea to alienate a person who makes a vital decision about your career. However, in an environment where the entire point is to voice your opinion, it is very much acceptable to air your views.

If you seriously think that even 1% of the population would be able to get by without doing this, or that only nice people get on in life, then it is you who will be receiving the wakeup call.

The purpose of the Oxford interview is to assess potential in the subject, not how nice and friendly the applicant is to any other university students. Funnily enough 'so what do you think of York students?' was not one of my interview questions. If you honestly think that the tutors would not accept blue for a PHYSICS degree because of his political and social views (and you are possibly right to an extent) then that says more about the tutors than about him, and should indicate the aforementioned necessity for the machiavellian style.

The idea that someone is spending taxpayer money on a university degree that will not stretch them to their boundaries because they are too lazy to work hard enough I find physically repulsive. Struggling when you are at university, with a heavy workload is understandable. Deliberately choosing your university so that you can lay in bed all morning and do more sports is utterly despicable.

Reply 82

mellow-yellow

1

allymcb2

The purpose of the Oxford interview is to assess potential in the subject, not how nice and friendly the applicant is to any other university students.

Yes mainly, but due to the Oxford system of tutorials the tutors interviewing you are not going to want to give you an offer if they absolutely detest you at interview because they know they will have to spend hours with you one-on-one. Plus all tutors are human beings and as much as they try to set aside personal feelings about an applicant (if they even try to do this, that is) it will have some kind of an effect on their overall decision.

allymcb2

Deliberately choosing your university so that you can lay in bed all morning and do more sports is utterly despicable.

Are you suggesting that other Unis apart from Oxbridge fit this idea? I'm not trying to take what you're saying out of context, so if that's not what you mean at all then I apologise, but from what you said that's what I understand.

Reply 83

bikerx23

1

mellow-yellow

Yes mainly, but due to the Oxford system of tutorials the tutors interviewing you are not going to want to give you an offer if they absolutely detest you at interview because they know they will have to spend hours with you one-on-one. Plus all tutors are human beings and as much as they try to set aside personal feelings about an applicant (if they even try to do this, that is) it will have some kind of an effect on their overall decision.

An important part of education is interacting - it not only makes it more tolerable, but more efficient.

Are you suggesting that other Unis apart from Oxbridge fit this idea? I'm not trying to take what you're saying out of context, so if that's not what you mean at all then I apologise, but from what you said that's what I understand.

Read the OP.

Reply 84

allymcb2

8

mellow-yellow

Yes mainly, but due to the Oxford system of tutorials the tutors interviewing you are not going to want to give you an offer if they absolutely detest you at interview because they know they will have to spend hours with you one-on-one. Plus all tutors are human beings and as much as they try to set aside personal feelings about an applicant (if they even try to do this, that is) it will have some kind of an effect on their overall decision.

Are you suggesting that other Unis apart from Oxbridge fit this idea? I'm not trying to take what you're saying out of context, so if that's not what you mean at all then I apologise, but from what you said that's what I understand.

Hence me pointing out that it is necessary to be machiavellian in the interview if you read my whole post. And no that isnt what I think people at all other universities do but it is what the OP suggested he did with the spare time that he would not have had at Oxbridge, and that is why I reiterated the terminology in my post.

Reply 85

CityMonkey

11

Coaster, what exactly is it that you're doing an MA in at Cambridge? Cambridge does not offer examinable MAs, they are awarded only to Alumni 3 years after graduation who have managed to stay out of jail. Masters courses at Cambridge are usually MPhil and MSc.

Reply 86

mellow-yellow

1

allymcb2

Hence me pointing out that it is necessary to be machiavellian in the interview if you read my whole post. And no that isnt what I think people at all other universities do but it is what the OP suggested he did with the spare time that he would not have had at Oxbridge, and that is why I reiterated the terminology in my post.

My humblest apologies :p:

Reply 87

Apagg

13

You mean they make you work at Oxbridge? Screw it, I'm going to Thames Valley

Reply 88

Manatee

14

HannahZ

If you're the kind of person that likes to be busy all the time and can get by without much sleep then you'll be fine.

I don't think it's quite like that! I love (and need) my sleep and relaxation, and I didn't find either a problem at Oxford. You can be busy all the time but you don't have to be, and you can still do very well.

Someone else described Oxford students as "worked to the bone" - again, I think that's a bit extreme! Don't get me wrong, there are times when you work very hard; prelims and finals are an obvious example. That's not the case all the time, though. What you do need is the ability to work consistently. Since your final grade depends more or less entirely on your performance in finals, you are unlikely to do well if you've done the bare minimum for three years and then attempt to catch up on a couple of years of work in the space of a couple of months. If you work consistently, you will have decent notes and essays (and perhaps even some vague memories :wink:

) to use in your revision, which is a big plus.

Reply 89

jonyeow

well...quite a debate this is turning out to be..

anyway.. i feel that the dear OP should not be overly criticised for pointing out a particular situation that is no doubt currently experienced by undergrads in oxbridge.. while some may take offense to the advice given, there are others who may actually find it useful..

clearly a large number of us feel strongly about academic rigour but we do not represent the entire world population and therefore it is likely that there are some who may find the workload of oxbridge overwhelming or the academic system not a right match for their style of studying.. hence, if at this point in time, they realise that oxbridge does not match their personality, they may well choose to go to another uni.. this is by no means a white flag as i believe that it is crucial to select a uni which will give u the opportunity to enjoy education, which is the primary essence of higher learning..

and with regard to the whole 2nd grade uni thing.. sigh... i would nvr judge a person based on the uni he/she attended.. only by their character..

Reply 90

allymcb2

8

jonyeow

and with regard to the whole 2nd grade uni thing.. sigh... i would nvr judge a person based on the uni he/she attended.. only by their character..

Surely the university that someone attends is a measure of their character.

Reply 91

mangomaz

14

I havent read half this thread but I just want to say I understand the point that the OP is trying to make. I remember when I applied to cambridge I was like 'yes I love to study I love economics, Cambridge will work me hard but I know I'll be able to handle it.'

I didnt get in though and was really disappointed. But having ended up at warwick and seeing what my friends at oxbridge have to go through - I am sooooo glad I didnt get in. I appreciate my free time and lazing about doing nothing :p:

and I compare how little work I do to how much I could have potentially be doing and I breath a sigh of relief :p:

I'll still come out with a 2:1 (fingers crossed) from a well respected institution. Sure it doesnt have the stars around it that cambridge has but to be honest its three years of my life I'd rather not trade.

BUT I realise that everyones work ethic is different, and some people will go and love the academic side. I just found that I'm not as academic as I thought I was since getting to uni. I thought I would be one of those people really passionate about their courses and would put in so much work and get a first blah blah... Realised since getting here that I'm not :p:

My point? Erm... agreeing kind of with the OP and dont think you know your work ethic till you get to uni. It all changes. Thats what I think anyway :p:

Reply 92

bikerx23

1

Yes...a wonderfully enlightened opinion from someone who had no experience of an Oxbridge education and wished to spend his degree sleeping and playing sport...hardly the epitomy of an oxbridge student is it....

Reply 93

puppy

I'd just like to point out that I spent the last 11 hours lying around on the backs drinking and I'm in the middle of my exams. There is plenty of time to slob around at Cambridge. So there.

Reply 94

Local Boy

it seems to be coming out that (regardless of institution) everyone feels that they have had a much better time at their choice than they would have at any other university. so it comes down to reputation - while oxbridge is well-respected, a degree from any of the top half dozen in a subject commands the same attention from an employer. it depends on the individual and whether they would benefit from the supervision/tutorial system at oxbridge (which i believe is being replicated at other unis now anyway)

Reply 95

Ethereal

19

allymcb2

Surely the university that someone attends is a measure of their character.

How?

Reply 96

Alan Smithee

allymcb2

Surely the university that someone attends is a measure of their character.

Are characters not subject to change?

My word, I have to say, that some of you Oxbridgians (on here) are terribly single minded. It is somewhat surprising.

Reply 97

bikerx23

1

By believing our degrees are worthwhile? Oh how terribly pretentious of us :rolleyes:

Reply 98

Ethereal

19

Biker, I have no problem with people thinking their degrees are worthwhile. I have a problem with people who think other's degrees aren't.

I don't include you in that as I've not seen you slate other unis

Reply 99

bikerx23

1

I have slated plenty of other unis, just not those that provide a decent education.

Oxbridge is heavy - think about what you're getting into

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