How to build up super-curricular profile for Classics?

Cool, I've just finished year 12 and am going into year 13 EPQ is where you research a topic independently - this might be answering a question - and you log all your sources and track your progress. Wow, well done on 5 offers! What type of stuff did you put on your personal statement (for the classics side)?

I have no particular authority but maybe reading classics from non-latin/Greek civilisations would make you more rounded? E.g. there are classics of Chinese literature etc.

The Aeneid comparison with the Iliad sounds like a good idea! The only problem is I'm still reading the Aeneid and have not begun the Iliad so I am worried I may not have time I like the idea of drawing comparisons with the modern day - I was actually thinking of doing, 'How has the quest for immortality driven modern and ancient civilisations?' which was inspired by a book I read about - I thought I would talk about how today we want physical immortality (i.e. there's lots of research for greater human longevity, anti-aging, cryogenics etc) but in the past they tried to achieve *metaphorical* immortality through their philosophy, art, literature and the spread of the Roman empire ...but I'm really not sure about this because I worry it will be a weak topic to discuss with no clear direction/analysis? The same-sex relations sounds good too! Are there any other comparisons with modern day you can think of? Thank you so much!

I have no particular authority but maybe reading classics from non-latin/Greek civilisations would make you more rounded? E.g. there are classics of Chinese literature etc.

Hey, that's a very interesting idea, I'd never thought of that! thank you

Cool, I've just finished year 12 and am going into year 13 EPQ is where you research a topic independently - this might be answering a question - and you log all your sources and track your progress. Wow, well done on 5 offers! What type of stuff did you put on your personal statement (for the classics side)?

There used to be a magazine called Omnibus for 6th form classics - if that's still around, definitely try to get hold of it.

Hmm, you could do specific books of each then? I wish I could be of more help but at GCSE we only did the storm at sea part of the Aeneid, so other than the general story I don't know too much about it. Your question sounds like so much fun to research!! You could talk about how in Ancient Greece being able to find people in the underworld like with Orpheus and Eurydice could maybe be considered immortality, that in the underworld you can still talk and act and so are you really dead? But be careful with a 'how has' question - my first epq question, which I wrote 8.5k words for, was "how has divorce law in Europe developed since ancient Rome" and I had to scrap it all because it wasn't analytical enough, it was just an account of various events. So basically, the conclusion you're already drawn :P you could question why the ancient world had such an obsession with immortality, but again, that seems like a slightly obvious question. You could question why the ancient position on same-sex relations was why it was, and why it changed? Back then marriage was basically in order to reproduce, so it was one man and one woman to marry even though same-sex relationships were important, especially in Ancient Rome and Japan, but today marriage is a lot more focused on emotional fulfilment, so same-sex relations in a marriage is more widely accepted?

Thanks! Basically examples of art that I've studied that I've found particularly interesting, and how the study of classicists' opinions eg Mary Beard and Susan Woodford have helped me to develop my own opinions also talked about the rest of the course (but only in a little bit of detail as it could become descriptive and narrative otherwise) and also what I hope to achieve by studying the course. For me, it is exploring the synergies between the two subjects and I've got an interest in exploring how ancient literature/culture has influenced contemporary works, for example Shakespeare dots loads of classical references into his work, including Hamlet which I studied for a coursework piece in English. This put me in a more knowledgeable position than most, I kinda had to explain to the class what the references meant, as I was the only one in the class to study classical civ haha

I'd also like to stress that too much extra curricular isn't needed, include some but don't feel that you have to go overboard. Good luck!

I did classics at Oxbridge, albeit quite a while ago now!

For the EPQ, how about something on classical medicine? Hippocrates, Galen, Aristotle, Pliny could all be good starting points and it might dovetail nicely with some of the work you've done already?

I definitely recommend reading as many classical texts as possible (in translation is fine at this stage!) - a spread of Gk and Latin authors, make sure there's some epic (Iliad/Odyssey and Aeneid are a must!), some tragedy, a comedy or two, some history and some shorter poetry (Ovid or Catullus, for example). You might well have done some of it at GCSE/A-level, but definitely read ancient authors more widely.

Read some good modern academic books - Mary Beard and John Henderson's Very Short Intro to Classics is a good start; Keith Hopkins A World Full Of Gods is accessible on religion; Paul Cartledge on Alexander is a great biography; perhaps dip into Syme's Roman Revolution or Scullard's From the Gracchi to Nero. When it comes to interview, you should be able to talk confidently about what you mention on your PS, and demonstrate a good general understanding and ability to reason. Show that you're interested in the subject - museum visits, field trips (Bath, Fishbourne, Hadrian's Wall) are good as well as reading.

There used to be a magazine called Omnibus for 6th form classics - if that's still around, definitely try to get hold of it.

Hope that's helpful.

Omnibus is still alive and kicking, just to let you know!

Haha okay thank you! Good luck too

Hey

Basically, Oxford care about your interest in Classics and any way you can show that in your personal statement is fine. The easiest way is through wider reading so for Greek, the Iliad, Odyssey, Thucydides, Herodotus, Euripides, Aeschylus, Aristotle etc are all good shouts to get a mix of literature, philosophy, history and drama. For Latin, the Aeneid, Pliny, Petronius, Ovid, Seneca, Catullus, Cicero etc. Basically just read around the subject and then focus on the things YOU find the most interesting. Then work these into your personal statement through links to your Latin A-Level or museums you've visited - you don't even need a link really. You won't be able to fit loads of reading in, so it's better to talk about a few things in depth than just name drop everything you've read.

At interview, the tutor will either use your personal statement to ask questions, or could just ask what you've been reading recently, or studying in class and the discussion will begin from there. This means you can control the conversation quite a lot, so definitely don't put something in your statement if you wouldn't be happy talking about it - and definitely make sure you've read it!

You'll also need to sit the CAT, which means you'll be tested on your Latin ability. So make sure you're working on your grammar and vocab - there is a practice paper available on the Oxford website so take a look

If you have any questions please just let me know, I'm currently studying Classics at Univ in Oxford. And thanks @The_Lonely_Goatherd for spotting this thread :P

If it's Cambridge, don't bother with extra curriculars, just read lots. I'm applying for joint Ancient Greek with German.

What have you read so far

Thank you so so much This is so helpful! I have been panicking because I recently changed my career (was originally applying for medicine) so I am very limited on the super-curricular side for classics the only things I've really done is that I've completed a foreign language leader award in Latin and and I hold a weekly Latin club for junior school students in my school. I have been debating whether I should take a gap year in order to build up my super-curricular profile, especially since I would like to apply to oxbridge. What do you think? Also, am I at a disadvantage because I am taking biology, chemistry and Latin for A level (rather than subjects like history and english)?