Cambridge 2016 Postgraduate Entry

Thanks for replying!

Only a few informal ones with potential supervisors when I was applying for MS in the US. One did not go well at all and the other one was not very intensive since the interviewer seemed kind of desperate....but never with more than one person in a formal setting. Could I get a general idea about a Skype (or worse a phone interview)? What are the general etiquette involved?

My supervisor at Cambridge just emailed me to ask for a skype interview for the MPhil in World History which is fantastic news but has now reduced me down to a bag of nerves. I had assumed interviews were for Phd applicants! Any tips guys?

History.

My supervisor at Cambridge just emailed me to ask for a skype interview for the MPhil in World History which is fantastic news but has now reduced me down to a bag of nerves. I had assumed interviews were for Phd applicants! Any tips guys?

You had initially been rejected, no? Or am I mistaking you for someone else?

Yes, I was rejected for the MPhil in Modern European History. However, soon after I was contacted by a supervisor at Cambridge and told to apply for the MPhil in World History instead as my thesis was more suited to it. Essentially just going through the process again, except I didn't get an interview last time.

"To help the Faculty to judge the ability and preparedness of applicants, a sample of written work must be included with all applications. The piece should preferably be a sample of current work (even work in progress), not more than 15 pages in length."

Source: http://www.hist.cam.ac.uk/prospective-graduates/prospective-phd-guidance#section-36

Yes, I was rejected for the MPhil in Modern European History. However, soon after I was contacted by a supervisor at Cambridge and told to apply for the MPhil in World History instead as my thesis was more suited to it. Essentially just going through the process again, except I didn't get an interview last time.

That's a bit crazy!

Did they ask you to pay the application fee again?

Oh, I thought as much! This is fantastic news! You've definitely caught their attention, which is very good news!

One of the principle challenges I found was not talking about the interviewer (mainly due to the delay). I was told me my mentor to always wait a few seconds after the interviewer has finished asking a question to make sure he/she does not have any further things to specify before answering the question. I'm not sure if you'll be required to turn the camera on but if this is the case make sure you're well dressed and in a room with the camera facing the wall (ideally away from your bed).

I interviewed in person for Oxford (for undergraduate) but I have done numerous job interviews via Skype and this was the advice I was given.

Good luck!

Yes, I was rejected for the MPhil in Modern European History. However, soon after I was contacted by a supervisor at Cambridge and told to apply for the MPhil in World History instead as my thesis was more suited to it. Essentially just going through the process again, except I didn't get an interview last time.

Lol, I always knew there was a good reason for them making that suggestion to you.

All the best for the interview; I'm sure you'll be just fine!

Ah that's sweet of you, thank you very much. I hope so! I'm preparing responses to potential issues with my idea and how I'd tackle them in case my supervisor decides to pick at it etc.

Good luck with everything!

Oxford are driving me nuts with their requirements, however

Well done! Who is your supervisor and what university was your undergraduate? Familiarise yourself with your supervisor's academic approach and think about continuities from your previous course. Above all show your interest and academic discipline