Oxford Graduate Application 2012/13

I'm planning to. I'm having the worst kind of trouble writing my personal statement though. I have no idea how to prove to them that I love my subject except to say "I love my subject".

Explain what you do in relation to it (e.g. applying for Computing Sciences "I love computers; I've taken evening classes in PHP and C++ and I've programmed my own game to teach 8-10 year old how to read musical notes"), and what you want to use it for in the future (I plan to start my own company to develop educational software for schools and improve IT education in underdeveloped countries).
(Sorry for the example. I do Archaeology.)

For me, when they ask what your non-academic activities are, I wrote a paragraph on how I also like Norse Archaeology. Then I realised that even what I consider 'non-academic fun' is actually related to what I study. [Don't take this one as advise btw; I don't think my answer is quite right.]

Thanks a bunch, that's given me a good place to start. My main problem is that I changed my degree in my first year to what I am now applying for in postgrad so I can't really go about saying 'I've always loved this subject' when I originally applied for something else. I'll have to find a way around it.

ps. Norse archaeology? Wow!

Well write about what you love anyway and then how the degree helps? I wrote about loving ancient near Eastern languages when I applied to do Ancient History & Archaeology (without languages) for my UG and I still got an interview at Oxford anyway [and was rejected so nvm me too much]. Obviously linguistics and archaeology are not the same thing, but you can make them tie in together.

Haha yes I specialise in Near Eastern Archaeology with a bit of random Scandinavian on the side =P (I am going to follow my housemate to Old Norse this week. Shh don't tell my adviser; he says I am not allowed to take on any more extra work or else I shall not get a 1st and fail at life. How pleasant.)

I'm planning to. I'm having the worst kind of trouble writing my personal statement though. I have no idea how to prove to them that I love my subject except to say "I love my subject".

Hey all...I've applied to the MSc in Global Health Science. I just received an email stating my application will be considered for the January 6th deadline and that I will have the outcome late March. Does it always take that long?? I have an offer from another university that I have to decide on by November 11th, so it's kind of an awkward situation.

Did anybody on here also apply to Cambridge? I see Cambridge extended the deadline for the Gates Scholarships because of a technical error which gives me a few days to send in my application. But nonetheless I plan to apply to Oxford again this year despite the fact that last year's applications weren't successful.

hello Topolino!! I remember you from last year! Good luck with your current applications!!

Thank you very much! Likewise, I wish you the best.

there is no way you 'll know by then. Even if your application was considered for the October deadline, you still wouldn't hear until early December at best.

Hello everyone!

Can anyone that has already applied sucessfully to a TAUGHT master programme at Oxbridge help me out? What did you guys write in your personal statements?

Would be very grateful for any answer!
Laura

Hi all!

My financial circumstances have just changed a bit, so i've decided to bite the bullet and apply for a Masters for 2012 rather than 13! Little nervous about getting the funding, but it should be manageable and thought i may as well have a go! excited

Im going for English, 1550-1700 too! Seems a popular choice this year. I'm absolutly stuck with this darned statement of purpose, has anyone got any advice? I honestly dont know where to begin :s

good luck to you all

Just realised that the politics dept. would appear to only consider application for the January 22nd deadline too. I can stop rushing now