Oxford Graduate Application 2012/13

I have many family membranes...

Haha.... a Freudian slip if I ever saw one! I don't even study biology now. :/

Many congrats! How was the interview... did it go well for you such that you expected the offer? :-)

I kind of feel gutted now though, with my 2:1 from a supposedly "top" world-class uni, a lot to show on my CV, and a high thesis project grade. Oh well... seems I'll never know.

I'm really sorry Noldorin The interview went pretty smoothly for me, though I was incredibly nervous the entire time so I wasn't sure what to expect. I definitely wasn't expecting a decision so soon! I really hope that you can go to a university that you will absolutely love! Have you tried emailing the department to ask why they didn't interview you?

Four applications? I would recommend concentrating and prioritising.

I'm afraid you know nothing about the British education system. You have no basis on which to base such a claim and have evidently not studied here. I have many family members and friends who are studying and have studied in the US, and am quite familiar with the system.

Your ignorance is professed by the fact *we are not graded* according to the A/B/C system here in the UK! We have an honours based system, which is based off our cumulative percentage marks on courses, weighted according to some formula. The whole scheme is entirely different. There's nothing like a "GPA" here.

Sorry, but anyone who says that a 95% in US is equivalent to a 95% in the UK has no ****ing clue what they're talking about.

...
However, this is not the point, the point is that the system is different and it is ridiculous to try and claim that since 71% in Britain = 98% at Berkley it means Berkley is "easy". It is different, that is all. Not easier, not harder - different.

If truth be told the Master of FE is the one which is my main one. I'm simply keeping my options open as I'm keen to study a Master's at Oxbridge.

I think the best advice anyone on here has given me regarding colleges is to look not only at the physical appearance or "reputation" of the college, but also at the size of the graduate community there; at the accommodation they have available for graduate students (and where it is); and things like whether or not you are required to eat a certain amount (or spend a certain amount of money) in the college dining hall, etc. Not sure if you were asking for advice on the college choice or something else, but I thought I'd throw that out there.

I don't think it matters, population size could influence the number of schools, not the quality. Just look at China.

So last year the decisions had been made by the third Friday in March (I think that was the 18th?) and people heard all the next week. Do you think it'll be the fourth Friday this year (the 23rd)? The 16th just seems kind of early. Over-thinking it? Definitely.

Finally have an offer from Wolfson. I'm relieved to have the college offer, but Wolfson is exactly the opposite of the kind of college I had in mind. I had given Merton as a preference because I wanted to be in a college which was old, with grand, historic buildings. I wanted a college which was very traditional, so I could wear my gown and attend formal hall. For me, all this was part of the Oxford experience. Now Wolfson has some of the most modern buildings in Oxford. And formal hall only twice a term! Plus accommodation and food seems rather expensive.

Congrats on the offer! And although I understand you're disappointed not to get one of the older colleges, speaking from my undergraduate experience, putting on the gown and going to formal hall is exciting the first couple of times, but the novelty does wear off after a bit.

Plus, if you make friends at other colleges, you can get them to take you as a guest to formals there - and Wolfson will probably organise exchange dinners with other colleges throughout the term, so again, you can go to more formals that way. And in terms of the pretty historical buildings, they really are everywhere you turn throughout the city of Oxford, so I promise you'll get to experience them even if your college isn't that old!

Wow, congrats! Now let's hope the philosophy department will soon decide (preferably in favor of me ).

Let me know when you hear from them, I applied to the philosophy department as well and as far as I'm concerned they should be sending out letters any second now

Finally have an offer from Wolfson. I'm relieved to have the college offer, but Wolfson is exactly the opposite of the kind of college I had in mind. I had given Merton as a preference because I wanted to be in a college which was old, with grand, historic buildings. I wanted a college which was very traditional, so I could wear my gown and attend formal hall. For me, all this was part of the Oxford experience. Now Wolfson has some of the most modern buildings in Oxford. And formal hall only twice a term! Plus accommodation and food seems rather expensive.

That said and done, I think the Wolfson community is much more suited for married graduates, and they are probably more able to provide accommodation to married graduates in the main building itself. Also, maybe studying in an all-graduate college will be nice, I guess.

Finally have an offer from Wolfson. I'm relieved to have the college offer, but Wolfson is exactly the opposite of the kind of college I had in mind. I had given Merton as a preference because I wanted to be in a college which was old, with grand, historic buildings. I wanted a college which was very traditional, so I could wear my gown and attend formal hall. For me, all this was part of the Oxford experience. Now Wolfson has some of the most modern buildings in Oxford. And formal hall only twice a term! Plus accommodation and food seems rather expensive.

That said and done, I think the Wolfson community is much more suited for married graduates, and they are probably more able to provide accommodation to married graduates in the main building itself. Also, maybe studying in an all-graduate college will be nice, I guess.