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Reply 1
Quality of analysis is more important than quantity. Far better to talk in depth about what you gained from one or two things (what they made you reflect upon, how they changed the way you think about your subject) than to list loads but not be able to analyse them. Oxford tutors don’t care about super curriculars per se, the reason they are interested in them is that it gives insight into your motivation and attitude to the subject and why you want to study it.
Reply 2
I only had like 3 books I’d read, an open university online course I’d done, my EPQ and a translation competition I entered (I do law with french law at Oxford)
Reply 4
Yes, just make sure you go into detail about what those things have made you reflect upon and how it has influenced the way you approach the subject.
Reply 5
Original post by Ellis’s
Do you think that one book one online course an exhibition and an interesting ted talk is enough to talk about
Do you have a particular subject in mind? Only having one book wouldn't, for example, bode that well for an English Lit application! Advice about this can vary from subject to subject
Reply 6
Remember that Oxford and Cambridge have much lower (almost none) weighting of PS compared to other universities because they have other information (from entrance exams and interviews) to make judgments on.
Your PS for Oxford is likely to be used to discuss topics at interview so make sure anything you write about is a topic you’re interested in discussing in much greater depth.
Your PS for Oxford is likely to be used to discuss topics at interview so make sure anything you write about is a topic you’re interested in discussing in much greater depth.
Original post by Ellis’s
How many supercurriculars should I write about for an Oxford personal statement
Does anyone have any general advice about what I write about and how much personality I should put into it?
Does anyone have any general advice about what I write about and how much personality I should put into it?
What subject?
Reply 8
Original post by PQ
Remember that Oxford and Cambridge have much lower (almost none) weighting of PS compared to other universities because they have other information (from entrance exams and interviews) to make judgments on.
Your PS for Oxford is likely to be used to discuss topics at interview so make sure anything you write about is a topic you’re interested in discussing in much greater depth.
Your PS for Oxford is likely to be used to discuss topics at interview so make sure anything you write about is a topic you’re interested in discussing in much greater depth.
That depends on the subject. For example, Oxford law interviews are about law, not the personal statement. Oxford tutors have told me that they pay little attention to personal statements, not least because they may have been written by parents or teachers.
Reply 9
Original post by Stiffy Byng
That depends on the subject. For example, Oxford law interviews are about law, not the personal statement. Oxford tutors have told me that they pay little attention to personal statements, not least because they may have been written by parents or teachers.
I would hope that the primary focus of a law personal statement would be about law
Reply 10
Original post by PQ
I would hope that the primary focus of a law personal statement would be about law
Yes, but the interview is not about the statement. Typically candidates might be asked about a statute and a case, or might be asked to devise a legal rule to cover a set of facts.
Reply 11
It is certainly the case that anything you write on your PS is fair game for an interview question, and this definitely includes statements you make about books you have read or talks you went to. So make sure you have something to say about anything you put on there. They won’t ask you about your Duke of Edinburgh or your Grade 6 oboe but anything related to the subject may (or may not) get picked up on. This is why it’s important to make the PS personal rather than putting books or podcasts down that someone else says look impressive but you didn’t really get much out of (or worst case, didn’t actually finish).
Of course there is no guarantee you’ll get asked about it at interview - you could get questions based on your written work, or questions designed to introduce you to a new idea or piece of information.
Of course there is no guarantee you’ll get asked about it at interview - you could get questions based on your written work, or questions designed to introduce you to a new idea or piece of information.
Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd
Do you have a particular subject in mind? Only having one book wouldn't, for example, bode that well for an English Lit application! Advice about this can vary from subject to subject
Fine art😔✊
Reply 13
Original post by Ellis’s
Fine art😔✊
Is the book Ways of Seeing?
Reply 14
Original post by Ellis’s
Fine art😔✊
Have a read of https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/hive-articles/writing-a-personal-statement-for-art-and-design-courses
Original post by PQ
Is the book Ways of Seeing?
No but do you recommend reading this
Reply 16
Original post by Ellis’s
No but do you recommend reading this
If you’re interested in a theory heavy fine art course like Oxford - definitely. It’s a bit cliched to mention in a PS but it’s interesting enough that it should help you with your A levels and your degree.
The TV series is on youtube if you can handle the 70s fashion and hairdos
Original post by Username123ab
I only had like 3 books I’d read, an open university online course I’d done, my EPQ and a translation competition I entered (I do law with french law at Oxford)
Have to ask, what were your GCSE grades like? I got mostly A’s but I think my lack of A*s will hinder my application for Oxford. Please do let me know how you did, thanks!
Original post by Ellis’s
Fine art😔✊
Ellis have you looked at Oxford Demystified Fine Art.https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6874780
Also do you have good gcse's and attend a good school?If so consider applying to zero gravity.It is a free service which provides you with an Oxbridge mentor who will help you with your whole application.
https://www.zerogravity.co.uk/
Do join us on the main thread so you can share your journey with other applicants.
https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7465497
Reply 19
Original post by evelinner
Have to ask, what were your GCSE grades like? I got mostly A’s but I think my lack of A*s will hinder my application for Oxford. Please do let me know how you did, thanks!
I got 999999998
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