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Thread for all interview queries (yes, this includes X subject at Y college!)

Hey all

Just really a quick post - I was wondering whether Oxford provide things to do in your spare time like the other universities (i.e tours etc).. or is the main focus on the interviews, and you have to study/find something else to do in your spare time?

I've got an interview for Earth Sciences at Exeter College :smile:

Reply 1

Hoofbeat

14

Depends on college usually.

At my interviews several years ago there wasn't much aranged during the day but we had access to the JCR (pool table, newspapers, tv etc) and another room just for interviewees where the JCR helpers were and we could go and chat or play board games with other applicants. During the evening, they arranged a trip to Pizza Hut though which was quite nice and on my first night we had "formal" hall in college. Other than that, nothing was arranged, but this was several years ago and I happen to know some colleges do have more arranged, but generally during the day it's hard because some interviewees will always be busy and they can't try and have things to do all day and it's impossible to find a time when everyone's free, so if they do arrange stuff to do it's usually in the evenings. You're more than welcome to wonder around the city and it's probably a good time to do a bit of xmas shopping!

Reply 2

southernlight

OP

Thanks

that's more what I was wondering (about the evenings). Very excited about coming up for my interview :smile:

!!

Reply 3

Derek_the_Sheep

8

You will probably need to check a notice board on your college fairly often to see if you've been called for interview somewhere, so it's a good idea not to wander too far away. But you'll be at exeter, which is about as central as it gets, so that won't restrict you too much - also I think Earth Sci, like a lot of the sciences, pre-allocates interviews and is unlikely to throw in extra interviews.

Arts subjects though, seem to make it up more as they go along, so english, history, etc. applicants need to keep checking that board!

DtS
(ps - it can be BLOODY COLD in Oxford at interview time: bring your warmest fleece jacket, woolly muffler, bobble ski hat with reindeer on it, or whatever)

Reply 4

southernlight

OP

hehe thanks DtS :smile:

I shall bring gear for the arctic! :p:

or just that bobble ski hat with reindeer on.. that sounds good too.... :smile:

Reply 5

Hoofbeat

14

Derek_the_Sheep

..also I think Earth Sci, like a lot of the sciences, pre-allocates interviews and is unlikely to throw in extra interviews.

Yes, it is true that when I had my interview for Physics I was given an envelope of informaton when I arrived which gave me my interview times for that afternoon and the following day (as well as details about my admissions test - when I applied I had to do it in Oxford rather than prior to the interview period). However, after all your interviews at your own college it is imperative you check the noticeboard regularly (someone will show you where to check when you arrive) because you can be called at very late notice sometimes - though we were also asked to write our phone numbers on the board incase they needed to ring us about another interview at short notice. I was told about 30mins before my 3rd interview that I was needed at St Hilda's! Luckily a JCR helper walked me to St Hilda's so I didn't get lost and made sure I got there in plenty of time!

EDIT: Oh and also after formal hall on the first evening, we were taken by one of the current undergrads to the bar where we were given free wine/orange juice with the Physics tutors who had been/were about to interview us - quite scary, but it was a nice chance to chat to the other physics applicants (we'd all arrived by about 1pm and our interviews started that afternoon so at that point we hadn't really had much chance to chat to each other).

Reply 6

Swayum

18

Congrats, southernlight. I was just wondering if you could answer these questions since we're applying to the same college?

1) When did you get your letter?
2) Did it tell you which other college will be interviewing you?
3) Do they assign you a room number or something?

Reply 7

southernlight

OP

DeathAwaitsU

Congrats, southernlight. I was just wondering if you could answer these questions since we're applying to the same college?

1) When did you get your letter?
2) Did it tell you which other college will be interviewing you?
3) Do they assign you a room number or something?

thanks

and sure!

1) 6th November. Though I think it's the course I've applied to... I know two other people who've applied for the same course at the same college and they've both got invitations.
2) nope
3) haven't heard anything else other than that I have an interview :smile:

Reply 8

thomasjtl

9

there'll be some current students acting as interview helpers around to talk to, and they'll probably be in charge of arranging some activities for people to get involved in- dvd's, quizes etc.
You're going to be with a load of people your age, all in a similar situation- chat, explore, have fun.
Oh, and the King's Arms on Broad st. doesn't normally ID people. The Turf definitely does, though.
(Seriously though, guys, going out for a drink is good fun- quite a few people i was with did and we had a great time- but don't drink too much and make sure you make it to bed in good time. You never know if you might find yourself faced with an interview at 9am the following morning.)

Reply 9

tinytiny88

i haven't received the letter from Oxford yet. for Economics and MAnagement at pembroke . aaaaaaaaaaaa don't want to wait anymore

Reply 10

Athena

6

thomasjtl

there'll be some current students acting as interview helpers around to talk to, and they'll probably be in charge of arranging some activities for people to get involved in- dvd's, quizes etc.
You're going to be with a load of people your age, all in a similar situation- chat, explore, have fun.
Oh, and the King's Arms on Broad st. doesn't normally ID people. The Turf definitely does, though.
(Seriously though, guys, going out for a drink is good fun- quite a few people i was with did and we had a great time- but don't drink too much and make sure you make it to bed in good time. You never know if you might find yourself faced with an interview at 9am the following morning.)

The KA most definitely does ID during the interview period, they can be very arsey about it and won't let you buy other people drinks unless they can see their ID/will threaten to chuck you out etc etc. Also, a group of Wadham interviewees went out drinking on their last night, and had to be let in by the porters after midnight, when the Lodge door was locked. They all had their names taken and none of them got offers (which may be purely coincidental, but is worth considering).

I was taken to G&Ds and there was a JCR film night, as well as a daytime trip to see whatever Harry Potter film was out when I was being interviewed. I also went to the KA with some friends I made (being 18 an' all) and we had a nice quiet drink. I also did Christmas shopping and indoctrinated a German friend into the strange English traditions of mince pies and Christmas crackers...

Reply 11

miiiiil

9

OOOO sounds fun. I hope I actually get an interview after my appauling attempt at the maths test lol

Reply 12

shinyhappy

14

I think nearly all colleges organise some stuff for during the interview period. My college was a bit rubbish, and it wasn't that well organised when i was there, but as I'm organising it this year, it should (fingers crossed!) be a bit better! There are generally low key things like film nights, pizza nights, trips to G&Ds (ice cream place) ice skating etc. Our college is v.strict about not taking candidates out drinking, and I imagine nearly all colleges would be arsey about people getting back late at night, drunk - so I'd advise against going out to pubs etc, certainly if you're under-age.

Reply 13

shinyhappy

14

tinytiny88

i haven't received the letter from Oxford yet. for Economics and MAnagement at pembroke . aaaaaaaaaaaa don't want to wait anymore

Don't worry, I didn't hear til pretty late, much later than the other person at my school who applied to a different college.

Reply 14

tigrrmilk

11

I know this is a pretty silly question, but if you're someone that will have to go down the night before (I'd have to be there by 10am, which isn't possible - they do offer accomm. for the night before if you need it, right?) does it matter if you can only get there a bit late? I have work the day before and I can't get the day off, so the earliest I can get to Oxford is like, 9pm. I'm assuming that wouldn't be a massive problem and if it was then I could probably travellodge it for a night, but I couldn't find any info on interview accommodation so I thought I'd ask here.

Good luck to those that have already heard!

Reply 15

thomasjtl

9

^^^^for such specific questions you'd need to email the college. I doubt it'd be a problem, though!

Reply 16

IB-fairy

The intervies really sound like such an awesome experience...
I really want to be invited (fingers crossed!) and cannot help panicking about it all day (and night) long...

Did anyone hear about Mansfield sending interview letters yet??

This may be a silly question, but if they don't want you for an interview, may it be that track tomorrow simply says UNSUCCESSFULL?? (nightmare)

Good luck to everyone else

Reply 17

tigrrmilk

11

thomasjtl

^^^^for such specific questions you'd need to email the college. I doubt it'd be a problem, though!

Yeah, I thought that was probably the case. I'll just wait to hear from them and then if I get one I'll get in touch. Glad to hear that it probably wouldn't be an issue, anyway :smile:

.

Reply 18

thomasjtl

9

The KA most definitely does ID during the interview period, they can be very arsey about it and won't let you buy other people drinks unless they can see their ID/will threaten to chuck you out etc etc. Also, a group of Wadham interviewees went out drinking on their last night, and had to be let in by the porters after midnight, when the Lodge door was locked. They all had their names taken and none of them got offers (which may be purely coincidental, but is worth considering).

Okay. The KA didn't ID my friends when they all went out drinking there.
Seriously kids, don't get drunk and be back before 11. But pubbage is a fun thing to do in the evening.

Reply 19

heliotrope

1

tambourine

I know this is a pretty silly question, but if you're someone that will have to go down the night before (I'd have to be there by 10am, which isn't possible - they do offer accomm. for the night before if you need it, right?) does it matter if you can only get there a bit late? I have work the day before and I can't get the day off, so the earliest I can get to Oxford is like, 9pm. I'm assuming that wouldn't be a massive problem and if it was then I could probably travellodge it for a night, but I couldn't find any info on interview accommodation so I thought I'd ask here.

Good luck to those that have already heard!

definitely email ahead. i helped with interviews last year, and im doing it again this year. we only work until 8pm, so we'll have finished by 9pm. of course, if thats when you need to arrive, it will be fine, but people really need to know in advance, or things will be very awkward and you may end up not really knowing whats going on. which would suck.

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