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Does Oxford recruit for sports??

Aimless2007

Hey guys,

I was wondering whether Oxford recruits ppl for, say, football or track?? If yes, do your chances for admission increase if you do get recruited??

Reply 1

sjuthani

6

What do you mean "recruit for" a sport? There are opportunities for those who are at Oxford to play sports competitively. There's a huge range of standards, but the best play for the university against other universities.

If you mean that they have a similar system to US colleges, where admissions can be hugely influenced by good sports ability, then no. The sole criteria for admission into Oxford is academic (both achieved and potential), although there are rumours about some of the rowers...

Reply 2

sokas

8

sjuthani

If you mean that they have a similar system to US colleges, where admissions can be hugely influenced by good sports ability, then no. The sole criteria for admission into Oxford is academic (both achieved and potential), although there are rumours about some of the rowers...

...I know someone that rowed i.e. was on the blue boat, he applied for a different subject and they accepted him for geography as it was less time consuming.

Reply 3

Aimless2007

OP

Well... basically I've heard that some of the rowers are not the smartest ppl, so they have argued that the standards for exeptional rowers might be lower than that for everyone else...
But, I get that there is no recruiting like there is in the US... thx

Reply 4

Cirsium

19

*rolls eyes* there is one tour guide who regularly says this around Jesus and at times I want to get up and stab him. I did once correct him very loudly when he told his group that clearly none of us rowed since we were all lying on 2nd quad working (excuse me but who rows at 2 in the afternoon?!?!) and point out that he was looking at half of the 3rds and half of the 2nds...

It might be true for some of the absolute top rowers like Barney, but that I can't speak for. In terms of "normal" good athletes - I know a lot of them (e.g. JCBC captain is my tute partner) and trust me they're as smart as the rest of us

Reply 5

xedx

its usually at post-grad where they "recruit" rowers, specifically for the boat race. in some cases they make up special degree courses to suit the needs of their rowers. if you notice, in the oxbridge boat race just about everyone in both teams is an international standard rower. that's not just luck. i'm not sure they're that bothered about recruiting at undergraduate level, though.

Reply 6

davey_boy

9

xedx

its usually at post-grad where they "recruit" rowers, specifically for the boat race. in some cases they make up special degree courses to suit the needs of their rowers. if you notice, in the oxbridge boat race just about everyone in both teams is an international standard rower. that's not just luck. i'm not sure they're that bothered about recruiting at undergraduate level, though.

I think you're being a little harsh on the blokes in the blue boat. I think its more of a case of if you're a very good rower then you have a burning desire to row in the boat race, hence you apply to Oxbridge. On the whole, I believe the acceptance criteria is not lowered although it is probably true that people will apply to do something they might not be interested in just because it offers them a better chance of getting in.

Reply 7

xedx

hmmm...i may be wrong on this, but i've certainly heard that oxford and cambridge specifically chase some of the top rowers and invite them to come and study. of course, not all the crew by any means are *not that bright*, but i think some, as i said, actually have post-grad courses made up to suit their abilities. its not like they're there for the academics - they spend all their time training.

i might do some research on it later and see what i can find out...!

Reply 8

davey_boy

9

xedx

hmmm...i may be wrong on this, but i've certainly heard that oxford and cambridge specifically chase some of the top rowers and invite them to come and study. of course, not all the crew by any means are *not that bright*, but i think some, as i said, actually have post-grad courses made up to suit their abilities. its not like they're there for the academics - they spend all their time training.

i might do some research on it later and see what i can find out...!

I doubt very much that some "have post-grad courses made up" - it takes a huge amount to get a new course in the statutes. I'm prepared to be corrected though.

For info, from OUBC website:

"It is important to recognise, however, that the criteria for entry are predominantly academic and that although an interest and ability in rowing may provide additional reasons for admission, no students will be selected for admission unless they achieve the required academic standing."

They're probably biased though :wink:

Reply 9

Aimless2007

OP

oh... the they even admit that rowing is taking into consideration, then it will boost your chances for sure

Reply 10

Willa

11

pearfire

oh... the they even admit that rowing is taking into consideration, then it will boost your chances for sure

But as already pointed out, athletic ability probably has zero effect on your chances of getting in unless you are of international standard.

Reply 11

thomasjtl

9

remember that admissions decisions are made by the tutor who will be teaching you in the first year. It's up to them. In all likelyhood they aren't going to care if you're an excellent rower. They are people who have devoted their lives to their subject and will be looking for people with the same passion (and ability!) for the subject as themselves, as much as that is possible to find. All admissions documents regarding undergrad admissions refer solely to academic ability. Rather than concentrating on rowing, i suggest you read a book related to your subject.

As for some of the top rowers not being too bright, compared with other students, remember that if they're spending most of their time everyday in a boat, they obviously won't be spending much time at their desks studying, which may well account for some, if not all of the disparity in their academic ability.

No.

Cambridge President this year has been doing some amazing research, I don't understand it but apparently its top notch PhD stuff

If you look at some of the athletes they attract all of them have good solid degrees from elsewhere and amny of them want a degree from oxbridge (careers in rowing aren't massively long, and theres only so many commentating/coaching roles available afterwards)

For those that are undergraduates, all exams at cambridge are anonymous so it wouldn't be easy to make sure that they passed becuae they were rowers

As for making up degree courses, show me one which has been made up for rowing?

And even after all that we're talking about a total of about 18 athletes tops... a few of whom won't have rowed before coming to oxbridge and learnt at their colleges, and a number with obvious proven academic records. So cynically at most you can say about 3 or 4 people make it in for reasons other than academia

Reply 14

Cirsium

19

The closest example that I could find to a made up degree course (which isn't made up at all) was one of Jesus' decent rowers (could have been Ian Bails or could have been Barney but I always forget which story goes with which rowers) was doing what's basically the course that you need to convert an international law degree to a UK one... or something like that... Technically being Canadian he's allowed... even though he doesn't have a law degree... In fact it must be Barney cos Bailsey is a medic - aha!

Reply 15

Willa

11

Bekaboo

The closest example that I could find to a made up degree course (which isn't made up at all) was one of Jesus' decent rowers (could have been Ian Bails or could have been Barney but I always forget which story goes with which rowers) was doing what's basically the course that you need to convert an international law degree to a UK one... or something like that... Technically being Canadian he's allowed... even though he doesn't have a law degree... In fact it must be Barney cos Bailsey is a medic - aha!

i've heard of oxford supposedly having a sport science style grad programme, which one of the rugby players was on. if that's true it would be a candidate for a "made up" course wouldnt it?

And I don't think people here are trying to imply that any idiot can get in as long as they are the best rower in the world. But from where I stand, I get the impression that it certainly would HELP in getting you in.

Reply 16

thomasjtl

9

Help getting you in, in the sense of getting a place somewhere in the university. Being a good rower won't help you if you wanna do PPE or whatever.

Does Oxford recruit for sports??

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