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Oxford graduate applicants 2009/2010

Hi everyone,

It might differ between departments/institutions, but I thought I should let you know that I received my unconditional letter of acceptance to the MSc in Social Anthropology at Oxford yesterday (the letter was dated December 9th). In other words: looks like some of us will get early Xmas gifts this year. Truthfully, I am still in shock. Right now I don't even care what decisions I'll hear from LSE and UCL (my other top choices).

Does anyone with experience from the Oxford postgrad admissions process know how long it usually takes between being accepted to your programme of choice and learning about your college acceptance? Thanks!

Reply 121

Pelle

College decision will probably take until February/ March even if you have your offer already now. They are quite slow I'm afraid.

Reply 122

iceandsprinkles

KMaine congratulations :smile:

did they send u an email as well or just a letter?

Reply 123

Andante

OP

oh jolly good, well done!

So they sent you a letter before you heard anything by email?

Reply 124

KMaine

Thanks! I have to check the letter every so often as it feels rather surreal to think that I'm in. To answer your question iceandsprinkles: I only received a letter sent to my home. There was no email or any other "electronic" notice. I should also add that the letter came from the department where I will study and not from the university at large, which might mean that applicants for programmes in other departments will receive emails.

Reply 125

iceandsprinkles

mm cause i know some people have said that they recieved emails..so i keep checking mine in case i have one from oxford..but i guess i may not hear anything until january

Reply 126

iceandsprinkles

i got an offer yesterday for msc russian and east european studies :smile:

Reply 127

Altea

Just read on the Oxford forum that if your referees write your reference on the online form, they are sent feedback on whether you were accepted or not. Please God someone tell me this isn't true for graduate applications... How intrusive can you get...

Reply 128

hobnob

14

Altea

Just read on the Oxford forum that if your referees write your reference on the online form, they are sent feedback on whether you were accepted or not. Please God someone tell me this isn't true for graduate applications... How intrusive can you get...

No, of course not. :s-smilie:

But presumably you'd tell your referees anyway?

Reply 129

KMaine

I have spoken to all my referees post my acceptance and they all found out from me--Oxford didn't tell them anything.

Lately, I have been frustrated about my college choices. I very much regret applying for one of the colleges I registered on the online form. Has anyone had any experience trying to amend their choices?

Reply 130

iceandsprinkles

which colleges did u apply to?

Reply 131

Altea

Thanks Hob and Kmaine but I did read this on the Oxford forum:

Re: What is that feedback thing that referees get after a rejection?

It will basically just say:
For Physiological Sciences in 2008 at Balliol College there were 20 applicants for 5 places
manmade xoxo scored 60% on the admissions tests compared to an average of 69%
She was unfortunately not offered a place... (end of quote)

So obviously in some cases referees are informed - I thought it might be just undergrads' referees who are informed.
It may seem odd not to want to tell my referees in case of rejection but I'm an OU graduate - I've never met my referees and the relationship is very different with a Distance Learning tutor (more... distant).
I'd like to phone the Ox Grad office but they're closed til the 5th and I need to give my referees their instructions before then. Still, you guys seem pretty sure that Ox don't inform them so...

Reply 132

KMaine

iceandsprinkles

which colleges did u apply to?

I don't want to disclose too much information, but let's just say that one of the colleges I applied to is St. Anthony's. Reading about the college, I liked the international focus and guaranteed first year postgrad accommodation. However, earlier this week I spoke to a former Professor of mine who used to be at the college who said I have no chance of getting in as my subject and focus deviates too much from what St. Anthony's wants. Trusting his word, I now worry that I will only be a contender at one college with a small graduate intake and that I risk being placed into a "dump" college where everyone who doesn't get into their top choices end up. If anyone has any insight as to how the college selection process works on the graduate level at Oxford, I'd love to hear your input!

what's the subject?

Altea

Thanks Hob and Kmaine but I did read this on the Oxford forum:

Re: What is that feedback thing that referees get after a rejection?

It will basically just say:
For Physiological Sciences in 2008 at Balliol College there were 20 applicants for 5 places
manmade xoxo scored 60% on the admissions tests compared to an average of 69%
She was unfortunately not offered a place... (end of quote)

So obviously in some cases referees are informed - I thought it might be just undergrads' referees who are informed.
It may seem odd not to want to tell my referees in case of rejection but I'm an OU graduate - I've never met my referees and the relationship is very different with a Distance Learning tutor (more... distant).
I'd like to phone the Ox Grad office but they're closed til the 5th and I need to give my referees their instructions before then. Still, you guys seem pretty sure that Ox don't inform them so...

That post you quoted was referring to undergraduate applications, though. The application process for undergraduates is quite different, but even for undergraduates Oxford won't send out feedback to referees unless applicants tick a box stating they're allowing them to do so. The postgraduate application form doesn't even have such a box, so I'm relatively certain there are no provisions for sending out feedback to anyone if you get rejected. Not even you.

Reply 135

KMaine

probably not

what's the subject?

Social anthropology. I'm focusing on western topics.

Reply 136

Krush

10

Anyone have interviews coming up beginning Jan, or is it just me? :s-smilie:

Reply 137

wholenewworld

8

hobnob

That post you quoted was referring to undergraduate applications, though. The application process for undergraduates is quite different, but even for undergraduates Oxford won't send out feedback to referees unless applicants tick a box stating they're allowing them to do so. The postgraduate application form doesn't even have such a box, so I'm relatively certain there are no provisions for sending out feedback to anyone if you get rejected. Not even you.

They don't tell you if you get rejected? :confused:

Reply 138

probably not

4

KMaine

Social anthropology. I'm focusing on western topics.

i'm pretty sure there are social anthropologists at st antony's, so i wouldn't worry about it too much - in particular, you've applied early so it's likely they'll be more charitable.

(i know a decent number of people at st antony's doing nonstandard st antony's stuff, be it western-focused or heavily quant or whatever - it sounds a bit like the person you've spoken to is exaggerating or a bit out of date)

Reply 139

McDull

a quick question to all those who have applied:

i've completed my form for a while now, i am just waiting for my referees to submit their references.

Do i have to wait until they have submitted the references before i submit payment and application, or can i submit now, as long as my referees upload their references to the site before the deadline?

Oxford graduate applicants 2009/2010

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