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Oxford Demystified - Classics and English
Hi everyone! Here’s the Oxford Demystified chapter for Classics and English- this is a joint honours degree combining the study of the ancient world with the study of English literature. My experience of the application process is coloured by my relatively last minute decision to study this course- I’m also studying Course II, which means I haven’t studied either Latin or Greek before, so I’ll be learning one from scratch.
(Thank you @Oxford Mum for letting me write this!)
Why did you want to study your subject?
This is a very complicated question for me, and it’s taken a long time to find a suitable answer!
I’ve always been fascinated by the ancient world- when I was in primary school, I was constantly getting in trouble for reading under the desk during class, and my particular favourites were the ‘Roman Mysteries’ series, essentially an SPQR-version of the Famous Five. I graduated up to Percy Jackson at the age of ten, and raced through those books, too, followed by some collections of ancient myths. The gods and monsters and heroes were totally different to anything I’d read before; they were scary, strange, and didn’t always have a moral lesson I understood- I think that’s what made them so fascinating to me.
I had no idea what I wanted to study at university. In secondary school, we studied A View From The Bridge by Arthur Miller, which introduced me to the ways classics informs modern literature. Reading Donna Tartt’s ‘The Secret History’ reignited my interest, but I didn’t study Classics in school; I was heading down the medical path, and got as far as sitting the UCAT before realising it just wasn’t for me. I switched out of my science subjects and delved back into literature, and I haven’t looked back!
When I found the Classics and English course on the Oxford website, I knew it was the one for me. It combined my lifelong obsession with literature with my budding desire to study something classically related, while also allowing me to learn an ancient language from scratch. It gives me the opportunity to study texts spanning thousands and thousands of years, and look at the way human ideas have evolved and developed- how our literature is influenced by the world we live in, but contains central foundations that are unchanging. It also shows me the vast array of authors over the years who’ve been just as obsessed with the Classical world as I am- and the ways they’ve used this in their own writing.
Why Oxford?
My school doesn’t tend to send many people to Oxford, but it was always something at the back of my mind. I knew it was prestigious and I knew it was beautiful, and I would sometimes just peek at the website, not seriously considering it- it was by doing this that I found the Classics and English course! When I finally decided to go down the literature route, I thought I might as well give it a go- if i didn’t get in, it wasn’t the end of the world.
Did any of your teachers inspire you? Or any other expert (TV presenter etc)
I’ve been lucky enough to have had some incredible English teachers over the years who’ve really developed my passion. My teacher for the past couple of years was rejected by Oxford when she was my age, but was so excited that I wanted to apply, and really encouraged me to go for it- without that push, I probably wouldn’t have applied!
Which resources did you use (please name as many as possible) Which books/journals did you read? Which did you like best, and why? What did they teach you?
The number one resource I can recommend to anyone considering applying for a classics-related degree is the Academus Summer School. It’s a totally free access course run by classics students and graduates- all online and absolutely brilliant. I can’t begin to explain how useful it was for my application. I’d never studied Classics before, and during the course my obsession with the subject only grew- I was able to take crash courses in Greek literature, Greek history, and Latin, and several of the topics we covered were so fascinating I just couldn’t leave them out of my personal statement. I also met a brilliant group of people my age with exactly the same interests as me, one of whom also got into Oxford for a classics-related degree this year! Entry to the course is needs-based, so if you’ve been studying Classics for a long time you might not be able to take part. They also have a website with some fantastic articles about the ancient world, so check them out either way!
In terms of reading:
As mentioned earlier, many Arthur Miller plays have really interesting classical elements- A View From The Bridge is the best for this imo, but there’s also a good deal in Death of a Salesman. Read Miller’s essay ‘Tragedy and the Common Man’. It’s very short and super insightful, both about Miller’s own techniques, and modern classical reception as a whole. I also recommend reading The Crucible, but that’s more just because I love it to pieces.
I’d also recommend reading some epic poetry. It sounds much scarier than it actually is! If you want a shorter one to start off with, I’d go for the Seamus Heaney translation of Beowulf. It’s really beautiful, and it’s usually on the Oxford reading list anyway. The Iliad and the Odyssey looked terrifying to me at first, as I’d never studied them before, but trust me- just dive right in and soon you’ll be caught up in the story. I’d particularly recommend Dr Emily Wilson’s translation of the Odyssey!
Ancient Greek plays are fantastic! They’re also usually very short, and I was able to find a surprising amount of copies in charity shops. Medea and Iphigenia at Aulis are my two personal favourites, but they’re all brilliant. Ancient comedy is, in my experience, a bit of an acquired taste, but there’s some amazing Aristophanes plays- Frogs and Clouds are very fun, but have a look at some plot summaries to see what’s most appealing to you. While reading, it’s often quite useful to have a look at the historical and political context they were performed in, as Aristophanes was a highly political writer. You can also find productions of lots of ancient plays online (this goes for Shakespeare, too) and it can be helpful to watch them first to get a feel for them.
When it comes to other aspects of classical reading, go with your instinct. I was able to study some Greek history- Herodotus is particularly great- but I hadn’t really gone into any philosophical texts. Literature is obviously the main focus of the degree, but it’s always useful to have a look at other bits and pieces too. You might want to have a look at some modern retellings of ancient myths- Madeline Miller is popular, and a great writer! Stephen Fry’s Mythos is also a good intro to some of the weirder tales.
In terms of more modern reading, it’s really up to you! The English aspect of the course is so broad, so really just head off in whatever direction interests you. It also might be useful to have a look at what the tutors at your college specialise in, though this isn’t necessary. One thing I would say is that while it’s very useful to have plenty of linking texts, sometimes it’s also good to have interests that are distinct to either Classics or English- for example, the ancient witches I brought up in my personal statement don’t have much impact on English literature, and James Joyce doesn’t have many classical influences, but these interests were both brought up in my interviews!
Do have a think about linking, though. There’s a really surprising amount of classical influence in pretty much every period of English literature, so keep an eye out! The study of this overlap is one of the key elements of the course at Oxford.
When I was still uncertain about applying, I watched a lot of Molly At Oxford’s Youtube videos- she studied Classics and English at Oriel. She’s taken them down now, but intends to put them back up in the future, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for that.
Podcasts:
This one comes up a lot, but I do recommend listening to some episodes of ‘In Our Time’. There’s plenty of content for both Classics and English, and they bring up a lot of really unique talking points. Especially good for introducing you to important texts you might study on the course. Natalie Haynes (who has some great books too) has a podcast called ‘Natalie Haynes Stands Up For The Classics’- it’s hilarious and super informative. Her non-fiction book, Pandora’s Jar, is absolutely brilliant.
A little bit less relevant, but I also enjoy ‘Mythunderstood’ and ‘The Digital Dust Podcast’- the latter’s episodes about the Iliad are a fun way of exploring classical reception.
Did you attend any lectures, or take part in any competitions? If so, would you recommend them, and why?
As well as the Academus course, I attended two Oxford Classics online open days- one run by the University as a whole, and the other by Balliol (I think- it was a while ago!) They were really useful, particularly the taster lectures, which really encouraged me to apply. I wasn’t so sure I wanted to study Classics, but I found everything we covered fascinating.
Did you have a specialist subject/EPQ? What was it? How did you go about your research?
We don’t have EPQs in Scotland, but what we do have are compulsory project dissertations for most humanities subjects, which means I was able to write two extended essays (a little below EPQ length) in both Classics and English! My English dissertation focuses on the links between ‘Volpone’ by Ben Jonson and Aristophanic comedy (which was super fun to research and write) while my Classics dissertation investigates the varying degrees of Helen of Troy’s autonomy in different ancient sources (still in progress- oops!) They’ve been really great opportunities to explore my own research and have a go at using online resources such as JSTOR!
What did you mention in your personal statement and why?
I mentioned lots of texts and authors I’d encountered in my wider reading, and I tried hard to link them and display the though process that had lead me from one to another. I also talked about why I wanted to study Classics and English. To be perfectly honest, I hated writing it! Just get through it, and try to redraft as much as possible.
Which techniques did you use for the entrance test?
I had to sit two entrance tests- the ELAT for English, and the CLAT, as I haven’t studied either Latin or Greek in depth.
Honestly, preparing for the CLAT was so much fun! There’s lots of past papers (and, helpfully, marking instructions) on the Oxford website. Before you get going on them, I’d recommend doing a bit of research into Latin and Greek grammar- because I’d done some work with both languages before, I was able to take a more organised approach to the paper, particularly the synthetic language section. Most importantly, don’t panic! The languages look incredibly weird and there’s no vocab clues like there are in Latin and Greek. Work as methodically as you can. For section C, I found that the opposite was usually true- this section is based on English grammar rules most native speakers have a natural instinct about, so consider what feels most natural to you- and don’t overthink it!
Though I didn’t do very well in the ELAT, I found that doing past papers (also available on the Oxford website) really boosted my confidence. I was lucky enough to have an English teacher who agreed to read through my essays, and if this option is available to you I’d definitely recommend it, but if it’s not, try leaving your finished essay for a few days and then go back to it. Have a think about the way it flows, your use of quotations, and what sort of things you cover with your analysis- go over it with reference to the ELAT marking criteria. It’s always going to be tricky to criticise it by yourself, but even the act of doing past papers will really help you when you get into the exam.
How did you choose your college? Did you go to an open day and if so, did it help you to decide?
I’ve never been able to visit Oxford, so it was kind of a shot in the dark! I chose Exeter because it’s reasonably small, old, and right in the city centre. They also have a cat! The tutors are excellent, too. I do wish I’d thought a little more about accommodation, though- as I study a four year course, I’ll need to live out for a year.
How did you find the interview process?
Honestly? Terrifying. I did all three of my interviews at school, on my teacher’s computer, and had technical issues during two of them! I came out of them a bit gutted- I was certain they’d gone dreadfully and that I was going to be rejected.
My first interview was with the Classics tutors. They were absolutely lovely! I had a very tricky piece of pre-reading, which definitely knocked my confidence a bit. Some of the things they asked me about really surprised me, and I came out thinking I’d done a terrible job- apparently not so terrible! The second was with the Classics Faculty to discuss language learning- much better- and the third with the English tutors, by which time I was more confident in what I was saying.
Any interview tips?
Before my interview, I went over my personal statement really carefully and refreshed any reading I couldn’t remember so well. I found it really helpful to try talking through my ideas with other people, even if it was just to my sister while she sat on her phone. Being able to verbalise your thoughts is super important! In the interview, even if you have no idea what the answer is, try to talk it through out loud instead of just in your head.
In terms of pre-reading, I found it helpful to just jump right in and talk about anything and everything that interested me! I ended up changing my mind mid-discussion about some of my ideas, and that’s totally ok- make sure to justify why, though! I know it might sound strange, but try your best to enjoy your interviews. They’re an amazing opportunity, and even though I was terrified, they were really beneficial to me.
If you have an online interview, I found it useful to make direct eye contact with the camera instead of staring at the faces on the computer. Not only did it distract me from the fact that I was ranting about mythological interpretations to experts rather than my sister, but it apparently makes you seem more confident.
Did you socialise during interview week? If so, what did you do?
As my interviews were online, chances for socialising were limited. My college did run some icebreaker sessions where we could talk to current undergrad students- if you get the chance, I’d really recommend going to these!
How did you feel after the interviews?
I wasn’t confident at all, and couldn’t stop replaying the embarrassing things I’d said. Christmas was a good distraction, though!
Where were you when you got your offer? How did you react?
I was at home, and had just decided to stop checking my phone when the email came through. I’d stayed up the previous night to check my ELAT results, and because they definitely weren’t brilliant, I was convinced a rejection was coming my way- so much so that I thought I’d read the email wrong! I cried a bit, and then rushed off to tell my English teacher, who cried too.
Are you looking forward to coming up to Oxford?
Absolutely! I’m lucky to have already met a few offer holders (through schemes like Academus) and I can’t wait to get stuck into my degree- as long as I get the grades!
(Thank you @Oxford Mum for letting me write this!)
Why did you want to study your subject?
This is a very complicated question for me, and it’s taken a long time to find a suitable answer!
I’ve always been fascinated by the ancient world- when I was in primary school, I was constantly getting in trouble for reading under the desk during class, and my particular favourites were the ‘Roman Mysteries’ series, essentially an SPQR-version of the Famous Five. I graduated up to Percy Jackson at the age of ten, and raced through those books, too, followed by some collections of ancient myths. The gods and monsters and heroes were totally different to anything I’d read before; they were scary, strange, and didn’t always have a moral lesson I understood- I think that’s what made them so fascinating to me.
I had no idea what I wanted to study at university. In secondary school, we studied A View From The Bridge by Arthur Miller, which introduced me to the ways classics informs modern literature. Reading Donna Tartt’s ‘The Secret History’ reignited my interest, but I didn’t study Classics in school; I was heading down the medical path, and got as far as sitting the UCAT before realising it just wasn’t for me. I switched out of my science subjects and delved back into literature, and I haven’t looked back!
When I found the Classics and English course on the Oxford website, I knew it was the one for me. It combined my lifelong obsession with literature with my budding desire to study something classically related, while also allowing me to learn an ancient language from scratch. It gives me the opportunity to study texts spanning thousands and thousands of years, and look at the way human ideas have evolved and developed- how our literature is influenced by the world we live in, but contains central foundations that are unchanging. It also shows me the vast array of authors over the years who’ve been just as obsessed with the Classical world as I am- and the ways they’ve used this in their own writing.
Why Oxford?
My school doesn’t tend to send many people to Oxford, but it was always something at the back of my mind. I knew it was prestigious and I knew it was beautiful, and I would sometimes just peek at the website, not seriously considering it- it was by doing this that I found the Classics and English course! When I finally decided to go down the literature route, I thought I might as well give it a go- if i didn’t get in, it wasn’t the end of the world.
Did any of your teachers inspire you? Or any other expert (TV presenter etc)
I’ve been lucky enough to have had some incredible English teachers over the years who’ve really developed my passion. My teacher for the past couple of years was rejected by Oxford when she was my age, but was so excited that I wanted to apply, and really encouraged me to go for it- without that push, I probably wouldn’t have applied!
Which resources did you use (please name as many as possible) Which books/journals did you read? Which did you like best, and why? What did they teach you?
The number one resource I can recommend to anyone considering applying for a classics-related degree is the Academus Summer School. It’s a totally free access course run by classics students and graduates- all online and absolutely brilliant. I can’t begin to explain how useful it was for my application. I’d never studied Classics before, and during the course my obsession with the subject only grew- I was able to take crash courses in Greek literature, Greek history, and Latin, and several of the topics we covered were so fascinating I just couldn’t leave them out of my personal statement. I also met a brilliant group of people my age with exactly the same interests as me, one of whom also got into Oxford for a classics-related degree this year! Entry to the course is needs-based, so if you’ve been studying Classics for a long time you might not be able to take part. They also have a website with some fantastic articles about the ancient world, so check them out either way!
In terms of reading:
As mentioned earlier, many Arthur Miller plays have really interesting classical elements- A View From The Bridge is the best for this imo, but there’s also a good deal in Death of a Salesman. Read Miller’s essay ‘Tragedy and the Common Man’. It’s very short and super insightful, both about Miller’s own techniques, and modern classical reception as a whole. I also recommend reading The Crucible, but that’s more just because I love it to pieces.
I’d also recommend reading some epic poetry. It sounds much scarier than it actually is! If you want a shorter one to start off with, I’d go for the Seamus Heaney translation of Beowulf. It’s really beautiful, and it’s usually on the Oxford reading list anyway. The Iliad and the Odyssey looked terrifying to me at first, as I’d never studied them before, but trust me- just dive right in and soon you’ll be caught up in the story. I’d particularly recommend Dr Emily Wilson’s translation of the Odyssey!
Ancient Greek plays are fantastic! They’re also usually very short, and I was able to find a surprising amount of copies in charity shops. Medea and Iphigenia at Aulis are my two personal favourites, but they’re all brilliant. Ancient comedy is, in my experience, a bit of an acquired taste, but there’s some amazing Aristophanes plays- Frogs and Clouds are very fun, but have a look at some plot summaries to see what’s most appealing to you. While reading, it’s often quite useful to have a look at the historical and political context they were performed in, as Aristophanes was a highly political writer. You can also find productions of lots of ancient plays online (this goes for Shakespeare, too) and it can be helpful to watch them first to get a feel for them.
When it comes to other aspects of classical reading, go with your instinct. I was able to study some Greek history- Herodotus is particularly great- but I hadn’t really gone into any philosophical texts. Literature is obviously the main focus of the degree, but it’s always useful to have a look at other bits and pieces too. You might want to have a look at some modern retellings of ancient myths- Madeline Miller is popular, and a great writer! Stephen Fry’s Mythos is also a good intro to some of the weirder tales.
In terms of more modern reading, it’s really up to you! The English aspect of the course is so broad, so really just head off in whatever direction interests you. It also might be useful to have a look at what the tutors at your college specialise in, though this isn’t necessary. One thing I would say is that while it’s very useful to have plenty of linking texts, sometimes it’s also good to have interests that are distinct to either Classics or English- for example, the ancient witches I brought up in my personal statement don’t have much impact on English literature, and James Joyce doesn’t have many classical influences, but these interests were both brought up in my interviews!
Do have a think about linking, though. There’s a really surprising amount of classical influence in pretty much every period of English literature, so keep an eye out! The study of this overlap is one of the key elements of the course at Oxford.
When I was still uncertain about applying, I watched a lot of Molly At Oxford’s Youtube videos- she studied Classics and English at Oriel. She’s taken them down now, but intends to put them back up in the future, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for that.
Podcasts:
This one comes up a lot, but I do recommend listening to some episodes of ‘In Our Time’. There’s plenty of content for both Classics and English, and they bring up a lot of really unique talking points. Especially good for introducing you to important texts you might study on the course. Natalie Haynes (who has some great books too) has a podcast called ‘Natalie Haynes Stands Up For The Classics’- it’s hilarious and super informative. Her non-fiction book, Pandora’s Jar, is absolutely brilliant.
A little bit less relevant, but I also enjoy ‘Mythunderstood’ and ‘The Digital Dust Podcast’- the latter’s episodes about the Iliad are a fun way of exploring classical reception.
Did you attend any lectures, or take part in any competitions? If so, would you recommend them, and why?
As well as the Academus course, I attended two Oxford Classics online open days- one run by the University as a whole, and the other by Balliol (I think- it was a while ago!) They were really useful, particularly the taster lectures, which really encouraged me to apply. I wasn’t so sure I wanted to study Classics, but I found everything we covered fascinating.
Did you have a specialist subject/EPQ? What was it? How did you go about your research?
We don’t have EPQs in Scotland, but what we do have are compulsory project dissertations for most humanities subjects, which means I was able to write two extended essays (a little below EPQ length) in both Classics and English! My English dissertation focuses on the links between ‘Volpone’ by Ben Jonson and Aristophanic comedy (which was super fun to research and write) while my Classics dissertation investigates the varying degrees of Helen of Troy’s autonomy in different ancient sources (still in progress- oops!) They’ve been really great opportunities to explore my own research and have a go at using online resources such as JSTOR!
What did you mention in your personal statement and why?
I mentioned lots of texts and authors I’d encountered in my wider reading, and I tried hard to link them and display the though process that had lead me from one to another. I also talked about why I wanted to study Classics and English. To be perfectly honest, I hated writing it! Just get through it, and try to redraft as much as possible.
Which techniques did you use for the entrance test?
I had to sit two entrance tests- the ELAT for English, and the CLAT, as I haven’t studied either Latin or Greek in depth.
Honestly, preparing for the CLAT was so much fun! There’s lots of past papers (and, helpfully, marking instructions) on the Oxford website. Before you get going on them, I’d recommend doing a bit of research into Latin and Greek grammar- because I’d done some work with both languages before, I was able to take a more organised approach to the paper, particularly the synthetic language section. Most importantly, don’t panic! The languages look incredibly weird and there’s no vocab clues like there are in Latin and Greek. Work as methodically as you can. For section C, I found that the opposite was usually true- this section is based on English grammar rules most native speakers have a natural instinct about, so consider what feels most natural to you- and don’t overthink it!
Though I didn’t do very well in the ELAT, I found that doing past papers (also available on the Oxford website) really boosted my confidence. I was lucky enough to have an English teacher who agreed to read through my essays, and if this option is available to you I’d definitely recommend it, but if it’s not, try leaving your finished essay for a few days and then go back to it. Have a think about the way it flows, your use of quotations, and what sort of things you cover with your analysis- go over it with reference to the ELAT marking criteria. It’s always going to be tricky to criticise it by yourself, but even the act of doing past papers will really help you when you get into the exam.
How did you choose your college? Did you go to an open day and if so, did it help you to decide?
I’ve never been able to visit Oxford, so it was kind of a shot in the dark! I chose Exeter because it’s reasonably small, old, and right in the city centre. They also have a cat! The tutors are excellent, too. I do wish I’d thought a little more about accommodation, though- as I study a four year course, I’ll need to live out for a year.
How did you find the interview process?
Honestly? Terrifying. I did all three of my interviews at school, on my teacher’s computer, and had technical issues during two of them! I came out of them a bit gutted- I was certain they’d gone dreadfully and that I was going to be rejected.
My first interview was with the Classics tutors. They were absolutely lovely! I had a very tricky piece of pre-reading, which definitely knocked my confidence a bit. Some of the things they asked me about really surprised me, and I came out thinking I’d done a terrible job- apparently not so terrible! The second was with the Classics Faculty to discuss language learning- much better- and the third with the English tutors, by which time I was more confident in what I was saying.
Any interview tips?
Before my interview, I went over my personal statement really carefully and refreshed any reading I couldn’t remember so well. I found it really helpful to try talking through my ideas with other people, even if it was just to my sister while she sat on her phone. Being able to verbalise your thoughts is super important! In the interview, even if you have no idea what the answer is, try to talk it through out loud instead of just in your head.
In terms of pre-reading, I found it helpful to just jump right in and talk about anything and everything that interested me! I ended up changing my mind mid-discussion about some of my ideas, and that’s totally ok- make sure to justify why, though! I know it might sound strange, but try your best to enjoy your interviews. They’re an amazing opportunity, and even though I was terrified, they were really beneficial to me.
If you have an online interview, I found it useful to make direct eye contact with the camera instead of staring at the faces on the computer. Not only did it distract me from the fact that I was ranting about mythological interpretations to experts rather than my sister, but it apparently makes you seem more confident.
Did you socialise during interview week? If so, what did you do?
As my interviews were online, chances for socialising were limited. My college did run some icebreaker sessions where we could talk to current undergrad students- if you get the chance, I’d really recommend going to these!
How did you feel after the interviews?
I wasn’t confident at all, and couldn’t stop replaying the embarrassing things I’d said. Christmas was a good distraction, though!
Where were you when you got your offer? How did you react?
I was at home, and had just decided to stop checking my phone when the email came through. I’d stayed up the previous night to check my ELAT results, and because they definitely weren’t brilliant, I was convinced a rejection was coming my way- so much so that I thought I’d read the email wrong! I cried a bit, and then rushed off to tell my English teacher, who cried too.
Are you looking forward to coming up to Oxford?
Absolutely! I’m lucky to have already met a few offer holders (through schemes like Academus) and I can’t wait to get stuck into my degree- as long as I get the grades!
(edited 2 years ago)
Hi Edie!
I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly you returned this chapter to me. It's almost as if you were bursting to tell me all about your journey and subject and couldn't keep it in any longer! This bubbly enthusiasm is typical of the successful Oxford offer holder. Nobody gets into Oxford by being "meh" about their subject(s). Normally I get so enthused by both the writer and their keenness, I almost want to apply for the subject myself, even if I am no good at it! This chapter is definitely no exception.
It's very interesting that the decision to study Classics and English was a last minute one. There you were, walking the well-worn path of medicine, without a care in the world and then your Classics obsession rears its head and that's it, you're done!
With Oxford, it's always good to go with your obsession and really get right into the subject. The seeds were sown from primary school and I loved reading about you getting into trouble for reading Latin tales under the table. It may have annoyed your teachers at the time, but it was just part of your destiny and an interest that was going to serve you well in the future.
You remind me of a famous artist I once met. She got into trouble at school for making badges with cows on and selling them to her friends. She is now known as Caroline Shotton, who paints pictures of cows professionally, selling each canvas for hundreds, even thousands of pounds!
http://www.carolineshotton.com/
I love the books you read as a child, especially the thought of an SPQR version of the famous five!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPQR_series
Here is Percy Jackson
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percy_Jackson
I was also interested in Greek and Roman myths at about aged 7. I was especially annoyed by the story of Proserpina
https://www.talesbeyondbelief.com/roman-gods/proserpina.htm
I was a bit scared by Pluto's abduction of her, and hoped it wouldn't happen to me! I just didn't know why she had to be parted from her poor Mum, Ceres, for half the year.
My favourite is Orpheus and Euridyce, which makes me really sad every time I think about Orpheus looking back at Euridyce when she is leaving the underworld
https://www.greeka.com/greece-myths/orpheus-eurydice/
Wouldn't it be great, I often think, for someone to love one as much as Orpheus loved Eurydice!
Like you, I went back to the classical world and studied Classical Civilisation as part of my French degree. Like you, I never stopped being fascinated by those myths!
I am glad you mention the importance of links. Oxbridge love the idea of "I read one thing, and it lead to another". It isn't enough to read one book, but you are dying to follow it up by looking into something else, or related to the first idea. It's also very skillful to link two ideas in different paragraphs of your PS to improve the flow.
It's very interesting that you make a point of the links between ancient and modern literature. On a visit to Shakespeare's schoolroom in Stratford recently, I was fascinated to learn that his lessons were in Latin and that he would have learned the ancient myths such as Ovid's Metamorphoses. This is evident in A Midsummer Night's Dream. You can also see reference to the classics all over literature, and even in TV series such as Lewis or Endeavour.
You also refer to the way literature is influenced by the world we live in. Sometimes a book will give us a window into what life was like at the time. Sometimes it's like a time capsule, but also it can show you how the fundamental things do stay the same, despite the time it was written. My favourite book, Vanity Fair, is a great example of this. It could just as easily be written nowadays. I think you will have a lot of fun musing on such things.
I also love the way you kept having a guilty peak at the Oxford website, probably thinking it was more of a distant dream than a reality. Your next sentence "I thought I might as well give it a go" speaks volumes. I wish more people who have what they think of as a casual interest in Oxford would take the plunge and apply. I hope someone will read this chapter will be inspired by you and think "why not"?
Your "incredible teacher" was delighted to have you as a pupil and poured all her effort into letting you reach for your dream. That's a great teacher, and no wonder your noble efforts resulted in her tears of joy. She'll never forget you and you will never forget her.
I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly you returned this chapter to me. It's almost as if you were bursting to tell me all about your journey and subject and couldn't keep it in any longer! This bubbly enthusiasm is typical of the successful Oxford offer holder. Nobody gets into Oxford by being "meh" about their subject(s). Normally I get so enthused by both the writer and their keenness, I almost want to apply for the subject myself, even if I am no good at it! This chapter is definitely no exception.
It's very interesting that the decision to study Classics and English was a last minute one. There you were, walking the well-worn path of medicine, without a care in the world and then your Classics obsession rears its head and that's it, you're done!
With Oxford, it's always good to go with your obsession and really get right into the subject. The seeds were sown from primary school and I loved reading about you getting into trouble for reading Latin tales under the table. It may have annoyed your teachers at the time, but it was just part of your destiny and an interest that was going to serve you well in the future.
You remind me of a famous artist I once met. She got into trouble at school for making badges with cows on and selling them to her friends. She is now known as Caroline Shotton, who paints pictures of cows professionally, selling each canvas for hundreds, even thousands of pounds!
http://www.carolineshotton.com/
I love the books you read as a child, especially the thought of an SPQR version of the famous five!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPQR_series
Here is Percy Jackson
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percy_Jackson
I was also interested in Greek and Roman myths at about aged 7. I was especially annoyed by the story of Proserpina
https://www.talesbeyondbelief.com/roman-gods/proserpina.htm
I was a bit scared by Pluto's abduction of her, and hoped it wouldn't happen to me! I just didn't know why she had to be parted from her poor Mum, Ceres, for half the year.
My favourite is Orpheus and Euridyce, which makes me really sad every time I think about Orpheus looking back at Euridyce when she is leaving the underworld
https://www.greeka.com/greece-myths/orpheus-eurydice/
Wouldn't it be great, I often think, for someone to love one as much as Orpheus loved Eurydice!
Like you, I went back to the classical world and studied Classical Civilisation as part of my French degree. Like you, I never stopped being fascinated by those myths!
I am glad you mention the importance of links. Oxbridge love the idea of "I read one thing, and it lead to another". It isn't enough to read one book, but you are dying to follow it up by looking into something else, or related to the first idea. It's also very skillful to link two ideas in different paragraphs of your PS to improve the flow.
It's very interesting that you make a point of the links between ancient and modern literature. On a visit to Shakespeare's schoolroom in Stratford recently, I was fascinated to learn that his lessons were in Latin and that he would have learned the ancient myths such as Ovid's Metamorphoses. This is evident in A Midsummer Night's Dream. You can also see reference to the classics all over literature, and even in TV series such as Lewis or Endeavour.
You also refer to the way literature is influenced by the world we live in. Sometimes a book will give us a window into what life was like at the time. Sometimes it's like a time capsule, but also it can show you how the fundamental things do stay the same, despite the time it was written. My favourite book, Vanity Fair, is a great example of this. It could just as easily be written nowadays. I think you will have a lot of fun musing on such things.
I also love the way you kept having a guilty peak at the Oxford website, probably thinking it was more of a distant dream than a reality. Your next sentence "I thought I might as well give it a go" speaks volumes. I wish more people who have what they think of as a casual interest in Oxford would take the plunge and apply. I hope someone will read this chapter will be inspired by you and think "why not"?
Your "incredible teacher" was delighted to have you as a pupil and poured all her effort into letting you reach for your dream. That's a great teacher, and no wonder your noble efforts resulted in her tears of joy. She'll never forget you and you will never forget her.
So now to the academic stuff!
I see that, once you had set your mind on classics, you attended the Academus summer school online.
https://www.academuseducation.co.uk/summerschool
I see it's even open for students from the age of 13. There is lots of outreach for Classics. This is because few people get the chance to study ancient Greek and Latin outside grammar and private schools, and you may easily get hooked if you try it! This was a great introduction for you and let you edge a little bit further into that ancient world you had so loved as a child. That keenness ("I couldn't leave (the topics) out of my PS") shows how worthwhile these courses can be, especially in a subject you may vaguely like but want to try. It's also important, if you have not learnt Greek or Latin at school, to meet people who are in the same boat and with whom you can discuss your newfound interests.
I see you have wandered down just about every academic route you can to pursue your subject. There are novels, plays poetry, history and podcasts to explore and fall in love with. Anyone who applies for Oxford should fully immerse themselves in the subject, in whatever way they possibly can.
I notice that "preparing for the CLAT (Oxford Classics admissions test) was so much fun". This is another common theme with offer holders. Nobody is forcing them to do the past papers with a gun to their head. It's not a chore (though to the outsider, a Latin test might well be). It's a challenge to be enjoyed and relished. You have also brushed up your Latin and Greek grammar as well as language (Oxford loves grammar tests).
I see you chose Exeter college (my elder son's alma mater). It's the most beautiful college in Oxford, in my opinion. Wait until you sit on the mound with my avatar, the Radcliffe Camera, lit up at night and you'll know what I mean. As for the beautiful chapel, don't get me started on that.
Exeter is noted for English. Look at the writers who have graced its glorious quads
https://www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni/notable-alumni/
I recall my son doing the telethon (raising money for Exeter at Christmas by phoning alumni). Sir Phillip Pullman came to say hi, and took all the telecon bods out for afternoon tea at Quod.
It's very interesting that you practised talking through your ideas with your sister. As you say, it's important to formulate your thoughts out loud.
Also, to look at the camera rather than the screen. This may make you feel less nervous.
I hope you will keep in touch with your wonderful teacher. She will want to know all about your English course.
Also (no pressure) but at Exeter, famous authors have a brass plaque with their name on, affixed to the doors of their former rooms.
Just sayin'...
@edie__r
I see that, once you had set your mind on classics, you attended the Academus summer school online.
https://www.academuseducation.co.uk/summerschool
I see it's even open for students from the age of 13. There is lots of outreach for Classics. This is because few people get the chance to study ancient Greek and Latin outside grammar and private schools, and you may easily get hooked if you try it! This was a great introduction for you and let you edge a little bit further into that ancient world you had so loved as a child. That keenness ("I couldn't leave (the topics) out of my PS") shows how worthwhile these courses can be, especially in a subject you may vaguely like but want to try. It's also important, if you have not learnt Greek or Latin at school, to meet people who are in the same boat and with whom you can discuss your newfound interests.
I see you have wandered down just about every academic route you can to pursue your subject. There are novels, plays poetry, history and podcasts to explore and fall in love with. Anyone who applies for Oxford should fully immerse themselves in the subject, in whatever way they possibly can.
I notice that "preparing for the CLAT (Oxford Classics admissions test) was so much fun". This is another common theme with offer holders. Nobody is forcing them to do the past papers with a gun to their head. It's not a chore (though to the outsider, a Latin test might well be). It's a challenge to be enjoyed and relished. You have also brushed up your Latin and Greek grammar as well as language (Oxford loves grammar tests).
I see you chose Exeter college (my elder son's alma mater). It's the most beautiful college in Oxford, in my opinion. Wait until you sit on the mound with my avatar, the Radcliffe Camera, lit up at night and you'll know what I mean. As for the beautiful chapel, don't get me started on that.
Exeter is noted for English. Look at the writers who have graced its glorious quads
https://www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni/notable-alumni/
I recall my son doing the telethon (raising money for Exeter at Christmas by phoning alumni). Sir Phillip Pullman came to say hi, and took all the telecon bods out for afternoon tea at Quod.
It's very interesting that you practised talking through your ideas with your sister. As you say, it's important to formulate your thoughts out loud.
Also, to look at the camera rather than the screen. This may make you feel less nervous.
I hope you will keep in touch with your wonderful teacher. She will want to know all about your English course.
Also (no pressure) but at Exeter, famous authors have a brass plaque with their name on, affixed to the doors of their former rooms.
Just sayin'...
@edie__r
Further resources:
Classics Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVpwZYyif6s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V04Tqb_yuKk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prxKBXb8-eM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW-YPLTWZ3Y
Classics and English youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X48UpbidOZw
English youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CfTCqqNB-M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efOwoWaDWIQ
Sample interview questions (Classics)
https://www.oxfordinterviewquestions.com/questions/classics/
Classics alternative prospectus
http://apply.oxfordsu.org/courses/classics/interviews/
Sample interview questions (English)
https://sites.google.com/site/oxbridgeinterviewquestions/english
http://www.oxfordinterviewquestions.com/questions/english/
English alternative prospectus:
http://apply.oxfordsu.org/courses/english/interviews/
Classics Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVpwZYyif6s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V04Tqb_yuKk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prxKBXb8-eM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW-YPLTWZ3Y
Classics and English youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X48UpbidOZw
English youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CfTCqqNB-M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efOwoWaDWIQ
Sample interview questions (Classics)
https://www.oxfordinterviewquestions.com/questions/classics/
Classics alternative prospectus
http://apply.oxfordsu.org/courses/classics/interviews/
Sample interview questions (English)
https://sites.google.com/site/oxbridgeinterviewquestions/english
http://www.oxfordinterviewquestions.com/questions/english/
English alternative prospectus:
http://apply.oxfordsu.org/courses/english/interviews/
I enjoyed reading this, even though neither subjects are my area 
Congrats on your offer from Exeter! That's so nice your teacher cried and was rooting for you so much, very moving! 
Side note: all the cool people like The Crucible
I know absolutely zilch about classical mythology but your extended essay on Helen of Troy's autonomy (or lack thereof, depending on the source?) sounds fascinating 
Congrats on your offer from Exeter! That's so nice your teacher cried and was rooting for you so much, very moving! Side note: all the cool people like The Crucible
I know absolutely zilch about classical mythology but your extended essay on Helen of Troy's autonomy (or lack thereof, depending on the source?) sounds fascinating Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd
I enjoyed reading this, even though neither subjects are my area Congrats on your offer from Exeter! That's so nice your teacher cried and was rooting for you so much, very moving!
Side note: all the cool people like The Crucible I know absolutely zilch about classical mythology but your extended essay on Helen of Troy's autonomy (or lack thereof, depending on the source?) sounds fascinating
Congrats on your offer from Exeter! That's so nice your teacher cried and was rooting for you so much, very moving! Side note: all the cool people like The Crucible
I know absolutely zilch about classical mythology but your extended essay on Helen of Troy's autonomy (or lack thereof, depending on the source?) sounds fascinating I always wondered why Helen was so fascinating. Nobody started a war over me, lol!
Yes, all the cool people at my uni loved the Crucible, but I was so uncool I never got round to reading it. To me, the Crucible means this...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crucible_Theatre
Must try harder.
Original post by Oxford Mum
I always wondered why Helen was so fascinating. Nobody started a war over me, lol!
Yes, all the cool people at my uni loved the Crucible, but I was so uncool I never got round to reading it. To me, the Crucible means this...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crucible_Theatre
Must try harder.
Yes, all the cool people at my uni loved the Crucible, but I was so uncool I never got round to reading it. To me, the Crucible means this...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crucible_Theatre
Must try harder.
Dw Ox Mum: I think it's the only Arthur Miller I've actually read! We studied it in... Year 8? at school I think?
I always love reading these new chapters because it’s like meeting a new person. We can see inside the student we may see wandering round college and find that they are fascinating, engaging people with wonderful stories (often involving struggles and obstacles). Although you know how it’s going to end ( and I hate tragic endings) there are still moments when you might want to hide behind the sofa.
Most of the chapter writers do not seem to be the to Oxford born type. This is why I hope people with non traditional backgrounds will read this and think “it could be me, why don’t I look into my face subject more, and give Oxford a whirl”
Most of the chapter writers do not seem to be the to Oxford born type. This is why I hope people with non traditional backgrounds will read this and think “it could be me, why don’t I look into my face subject more, and give Oxford a whirl”
Original post by Oxford Mum
So now to the academic stuff!
I see that, once you had set your mind on classics, you attended the Academus summer school online.
https://www.academuseducation.co.uk/summerschool
I see it's even open for students from the age of 13. There is lots of outreach for Classics. This is because few people get the chance to study ancient Greek and Latin outside grammar and private schools, and you may easily get hooked if you try it! This was a great introduction for you and let you edge a little bit further into that ancient world you had so loved as a child. That keenness ("I couldn't leave (the topics) out of my PS") shows how worthwhile these courses can be, especially in a subject you may vaguely like but want to try. It's also important, if you have not learnt Greek or Latin at school, to meet people who are in the same boat and with whom you can discuss your newfound interests.
I see you have wandered down just about every academic route you can to pursue your subject. There are novels, plays poetry, history and podcasts to explore and fall in love with. Anyone who applies for Oxford should fully immerse themselves in the subject, in whatever way they possibly can.
I notice that "preparing for the CLAT (Oxford Classics admissions test) was so much fun". This is another common theme with offer holders. Nobody is forcing them to do the past papers with a gun to their head. It's not a chore (though to the outsider, a Latin test might well be). It's a challenge to be enjoyed and relished. You have also brushed up your Latin and Greek grammar as well as language (Oxford loves grammar tests).
I see you chose Exeter college (my elder son's alma mater). It's the most beautiful college in Oxford, in my opinion. Wait until you sit on the mound with my avatar, the Radcliffe Camera, lit up at night and you'll know what I mean. As for the beautiful chapel, don't get me started on that.
Exeter is noted for English. Look at the writers who have graced its glorious quads
https://www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni/notable-alumni/
I recall my son doing the telethon (raising money for Exeter at Christmas by phoning alumni). Sir Phillip Pullman came to say hi, and took all the telecon bods out for afternoon tea at Quod.
It's very interesting that you practised talking through your ideas with your sister. As you say, it's important to formulate your thoughts out loud.
Also, to look at the camera rather than the screen. This may make you feel less nervous.
I hope you will keep in touch with your wonderful teacher. She will want to know all about your English course.
Also (no pressure) but at Exeter, famous authors have a brass plaque with their name on, affixed to the doors of their former rooms.
Just sayin'...
@edie__r
I see that, once you had set your mind on classics, you attended the Academus summer school online.
https://www.academuseducation.co.uk/summerschool
I see it's even open for students from the age of 13. There is lots of outreach for Classics. This is because few people get the chance to study ancient Greek and Latin outside grammar and private schools, and you may easily get hooked if you try it! This was a great introduction for you and let you edge a little bit further into that ancient world you had so loved as a child. That keenness ("I couldn't leave (the topics) out of my PS") shows how worthwhile these courses can be, especially in a subject you may vaguely like but want to try. It's also important, if you have not learnt Greek or Latin at school, to meet people who are in the same boat and with whom you can discuss your newfound interests.
I see you have wandered down just about every academic route you can to pursue your subject. There are novels, plays poetry, history and podcasts to explore and fall in love with. Anyone who applies for Oxford should fully immerse themselves in the subject, in whatever way they possibly can.
I notice that "preparing for the CLAT (Oxford Classics admissions test) was so much fun". This is another common theme with offer holders. Nobody is forcing them to do the past papers with a gun to their head. It's not a chore (though to the outsider, a Latin test might well be). It's a challenge to be enjoyed and relished. You have also brushed up your Latin and Greek grammar as well as language (Oxford loves grammar tests).
I see you chose Exeter college (my elder son's alma mater). It's the most beautiful college in Oxford, in my opinion. Wait until you sit on the mound with my avatar, the Radcliffe Camera, lit up at night and you'll know what I mean. As for the beautiful chapel, don't get me started on that.
Exeter is noted for English. Look at the writers who have graced its glorious quads
https://www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni/notable-alumni/
I recall my son doing the telethon (raising money for Exeter at Christmas by phoning alumni). Sir Phillip Pullman came to say hi, and took all the telecon bods out for afternoon tea at Quod.
It's very interesting that you practised talking through your ideas with your sister. As you say, it's important to formulate your thoughts out loud.
Also, to look at the camera rather than the screen. This may make you feel less nervous.
I hope you will keep in touch with your wonderful teacher. She will want to know all about your English course.
Also (no pressure) but at Exeter, famous authors have a brass plaque with their name on, affixed to the doors of their former rooms.
Just sayin'...
@edie__r
thank you so much! I’m really excited, and so grateful to you for all your help on the forum!
Original post by edie__r
thank you so much! I’m really excited, and so grateful to you for all your help on the forum!
There may be future prospective students who tag you to ask for your expertise! Are you ready for your new celebrity status?
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