Chances of getting an interview

I was talking to my daughter over dinner last night (see 'What to Drop' etc. re daughter in question) and she blithely informed me that she was "99.9% certain to get an interview" (She's applying to Wadham to read law, and has A, A, B and C at AS level). If I didn't know her better, I'd have said she was smoking dope. Surely, with AS level results like that, she's got closer to a 99.9% chance of NOT getting an interview? Cheers, Ian.

Reply 1

Elles

17

if she's predicted the required i.e. AAB for law? then she probably will.

~ 80-90% undergrad applicants are interviewed for most subjects i think - as long as you meet the minimum requirements, then selection occurs at interview. though for medicine ~30% are interviewed after an exam is sat.

Reply 2

NDGAARONDI

16

ian-in-northamp

I was talking to my daughter over dinner last night (see 'What to Drop' etc. re daughter in question) and she blithely informed me that she was "99.9% certain to get an interview" (She's applying to Wadham to read law, and has A, A, B and C at AS level).

Hi

May I ask which subjects these AS levels were taken in? There are subjects which certain universities tend to view differently.

Reply 3

earthmother

1

ian-in-northamp

I was talking to my daughter over dinner last night (see 'What to Drop' etc. re daughter in question) and she blithely informed me that she was "99.9% certain to get an interview" (She's applying to Wadham to read law, and has A, A, B and C at AS level). If I didn't know her better, I'd have said she was smoking dope. Surely, with AS level results like that, she's got closer to a 99.9% chance of NOT getting an interview? Cheers, Ian.

They seem to interview most candidates, Ian. I've a daughter just going in to her second year in Oxford and another applying to Cambridge this year. You can PM me if you want to ask anything specific.

Reply 4

Alvira

Yes, I'm fairly certain nearly everyone gets an interview, except possibly people who completely fail to reach grades (getting a string of Ds and Cs, for example). This is because the interview is what they judge you on, as everyone has basically the same, good grades or predicted grades. The interview, which she is pretty likely to get, will turn it for her...

Reply 5

oldthrashbarg

7

ian-in-northamp

I was talking to my daughter over dinner last night (see 'What to Drop' etc. re daughter in question) and she blithely informed me that she was "99.9% certain to get an interview" (She's applying to Wadham to read law, and has A, A, B and C at AS level). If I didn't know her better, I'd have said she was smoking dope. Surely, with AS level results like that, she's got closer to a 99.9% chance of NOT getting an interview? Cheers, Ian.

I don't think the selection for interviews is as selective as you imagine. I applied to Cambridge (not law though), and so couldn't speak with any authority for Oxford, but I think AAB should give your daughter a good chance of getting an interview. I also don't think you should try to calculate chances based on things like grades. My impression was that the entire process was guided by a much more holistic approach, once they are satisfied that your grades are in the region they require.

Reply 6

NDGAARONDI

16

Yes, don't treat grades with chances of interview too strictly. Having heard from several resources there is just as much chances as someone predicted AAA being declined even before the interview stage than someone with AAB. And that AAB person could well be admitted to study. I don't think Oxbridge care too much with one grade.

Reply 7

ian-in-northamp

OP

You ‘guys’ are so helpful – it’s really appreciated. Elles: yes, she’s predicted AAB. Ndgaarondi: see the other thread. She did AS levels in English (A), Media Studies (A), Art (B) and Computing (C). I asked for advice in a separate thread about whether she should drop Art or Computing. The consensus was she should drop Art as Computing gave her a more balanced profile – but some posters thought perhaps she should stick with Art because her chances of achieving the required grade are better. However, unbeknown to me – I’m only her father – she has dropped Computing anyway… Your perspective on the relationship between grades and likelihood of interview is also very interesting: we’re hoping that her general ‘well roundedness’ will appeal. Earthmother: that’s a very kind offer that I may well take you up on. I need to have a heart to heart with the young lady in question in the very near future, and specific questions may well arise. Alvira: I think she’s banking on that – she almost certainly interviews well (it was, apparently, the interview that got her to be chosen as Head Girl…) Old Thrashbarg: thanks. I guess I’m just remembering how I didn’t get an interview – but then, way back when, things were very different (and I think I failed the English entrance exam for Cambridge anyway…) Many thanks again, all.

Reply 8

angelzland

hello,
I am unsure with those subjects whether she will get past the interview because the only respectable subject she has is English. However if she gets a high score on her interview Law exam then she may have a chance.

All the best though,
Sx

Reply 9

ian-in-northamp

OP

Re: 'respectable' - yes: I just wish she'd had ambitions to go to Oxford when she chose her A level subjects - I think now, with hindsight, she might choose differently... :-(

Reply 10

priya

14

ian-in-northamp

Re: 'respectable' - yes: I just wish she'd had ambitions to go to Oxford when she chose her A level subjects - I think now, with hindsight, she might choose differently... :-(

i can understand your concern, but she will end up with a good law degree if she's prepared to stick at it, there will be a good uni there for her. even if it isn't oxford, in the grand scheme of things, it's not going to matter hugely, as long as she gets a good degree from another decent university. where else does she want to apply?

Reply 11

musicbloke

17

ian-in-northamp

we’re hoping that her general ‘well roundedness’ will appeal.

I wouldn't bank on it. Oxbridge take whoever they think will they do well in the subject. From what I know they don't care whether the person is a recluse or a priest or a giraffe. The decision is more dependant DoS thinks they will enjoy teaching them and they have a chance of getting a first. There is not much of a place for "well-roundedness" at interviews (except for my belly which is very well-rounded) as the discussion tends to be purely academic.

MB

Reply 12

priya

14

musicboy

I wouldn't bank on it. Oxbridge take whoever they think will they do well in the subject. From what I know they don't care whether the person is a recluse or a priest or a giraffe. The decision is more dependant DoS thinks they will enjoy teaching them and they have a chance of getting a first. There is not much of a place for "well-roundedness" at interviews (except for my belly which is very well-rounded) as the discussion tends to be purely academic.

MB

valid point, but i think they will consider the recluse factor as well. my friend got pooled because she just didn't interview well at all. but it will all boil down to the academic at the end of the day

Reply 13

Geogger

13

The LNAT will be critical for her.
Cambridge have something in their original 'foundation' so I understand which means that they are almost obliged to interview everyone.
Oxford are now getting quite fussy and there are lots of reasons they now cite as ones they may invoke as a reason to not invite for interview. In most cases it is a combination of GCSE grades, AS grades, written work submitted, school reference and marks on any pre-sat test (eg BMAT or LNAT). It could be that it's not her subjects that will be the problem but one of the other variables - law is so competitive, that they have to do some pre-selection based on this combination of information pre-interview, otherwise they'd never interview everyone who applies. She could probably dip out on one of these facets, but to dip out on two may not be an encouraging sign.

Reply 14

tomcoolinguk

13

Actually Ian you could well be correct. Oxford are aiming to interview no more than 2.5 people per available space, e.g around 670-720. This will be done on factors present in the application form and the LNAT test. If your daughter got ABC she probably won't be too red hot on the LNAT and so might not get an interview.

Reply 15

A0307

7

musicboy

I wouldn't bank on it. Oxbridge take whoever they think will they do well in the subject. From what I know they don't care whether the person is a recluse or a priest or a giraffe. The decision is more dependant DoS thinks they will enjoy teaching them and they have a chance of getting a first. There is not much of a place for "well-roundedness" at interviews (except for my belly which is very well-rounded) as the discussion tends to be purely academic.

MB

I dunno if I'd agree entirely there. They don't really want to end up with some depressed recluse whos going to pull out or hang themselves no matter how academically brilliant they are. As for well-roundedness, I was asked about some of my 'extra-curriculars' and even about my band, (both from my PS) in my interviews, so I would say it does come into things.

Reply 16

Alvira

I think it all depends on what sort of candidate you are, in terms of whether they are going to care about how well-rounded you are. If you are 'borderline' they might concentrate more on the academic side; if they are certain you are what they are looking for they might be more interested in you as a person, as they are more likely to end up interacting with you regularly and want to see if they'd like it. That is the feeling I got from mine, anyway. :smile:

Reply 17

musicbloke

17

Alvira

if they are certain you are what they are looking for they might be more interested in you as a person, as they are more likely to end up interacting with you regularly and want to see if they'd like it. That is the feeling I got from mine, anyway. :smile:

if you know for certain that you're what they're looking for then you know a darn-sight more than the admissions tutors.

MB

Reply 18

Elles

17

Geogger

Oxford are now getting quite fussy and there are lots of reasons they now cite as ones they may invoke as a reason to not invite for interview. In most cases it is a combination of GCSE grades, AS grades, written work submitted, school reference and marks on any pre-sat test (eg BMAT or LNAT).

well, i'm not sure i would call it 'fussy' exactly (though i am perhaps the more comfortable side of the selection process :tongue:

)

if everyone is predicted AAA or better, then pre interview they used to have no real way of differentiating academic potential - which would lead to crazy numbers needing to come up to each college for 2/3 days to be interviewed, placing a huge burden on tutors. however, exams were generally used anyway, so presumably they identified such a correlation between good exam performance & candidates who were selected overall that it seemed more logical to have some selection pre interview. hence you can then devote more time to the interviewing of candidates who have higher aptitutude/better skills.

check the exact application procedure policy. i only know for medicine..but it is information made freely available. & in that case shortlisting for interview is on the basis of BMAT & GCSEs, on a university wide level. borderline candidates will then have their UCAS form scrutinised & about 10% more invited. from then on it's purely interview performance, with 2 interviews at different colleges to ensure inter-college fairness.

to me it seems to make some sense..

though heightens the importance of the entrance exam, so if i were applying nowadays would do considerably more preparation than i did for the OMAT! :redface:

Reply 19

InterCity125

1

Ian,
You need to check if interviews are depedent on the results of the LNAT - this is the case in Medicine. If not, she should get an interview - she has the minimum for an offer -AAB. She is not a person who has done badly - i.e. got Cs and Ds.
You said she interviews well - this will be important in making up for any negative ideas the tutors may get from the A-level choices - quite unsual for Oxford (in my limited knowlege) and way well be the deciding factor.

Chances of getting an interview

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