The Student Room Group

Oxford reapplication- do I choose a different college?

I appreciate this is a somewhat niche question and there possibly won't have been many in my situation, however, I applied to Oxford for 2024 entry (French and Italian ab initio) and was rejected post interview. Since then, I have decided to take a gap year (for other reasons, unrelated to my Oxford rejection) and reapply for the same course. In my initial application I applied to Keble College as I really liked it when I visited on the open day. A big part of me wants to reapply to Keble but I am very conscious of the saying that "doing the same thing and expecting different results is called insanity" (or something to that effect.) So, other reapplicants (successful or otherwise): When reapplying did you choose a different college? And is that a given? Would it be considered stupid to pick the same college again after being unsuccessful first time around? I am aware that it would be most likely the same interviewers and this is something to take into consideration, however I mostly feel that my rejection was a result of nerves on interview day and unrelated to the various interviewers. Anyway, thoughts?
Original post by Anonymous
I appreciate this is a somewhat niche question and there possibly won't have been many in my situation, however, I applied to Oxford for 2024 entry (French and Italian ab initio) and was rejected post interview. Since then, I have decided to take a gap year (for other reasons, unrelated to my Oxford rejection) and reapply for the same course. In my initial application I applied to Keble College as I really liked it when I visited on the open day. A big part of me wants to reapply to Keble but I am very conscious of the saying that "doing the same thing and expecting different results is called insanity" (or something to that effect.) So, other reapplicants (successful or otherwise): When reapplying did you choose a different college? And is that a given? Would it be considered stupid to pick the same college again after being unsuccessful first time around? I am aware that it would be most likely the same interviewers and this is something to take into consideration, however I mostly feel that my rejection was a result of nerves on interview day and unrelated to the various interviewers. Anyway, thoughts?
St. John's, Queen's, Wadham, Brasenose and Hertford all offer cheap food and full accommodation at a reasonable cost.

Perhaps go to the Open Day next week? 🙂
(edited 1 month ago)
Original post by Anonymous
I appreciate this is a somewhat niche question and there possibly won't have been many in my situation, however, I applied to Oxford for 2024 entry (French and Italian ab initio) and was rejected post interview. Since then, I have decided to take a gap year (for other reasons, unrelated to my Oxford rejection) and reapply for the same course. In my initial application I applied to Keble College as I really liked it when I visited on the open day. A big part of me wants to reapply to Keble but I am very conscious of the saying that "doing the same thing and expecting different results is called insanity" (or something to that effect.) So, other reapplicants (successful or otherwise): When reapplying did you choose a different college? And is that a given? Would it be considered stupid to pick the same college again after being unsuccessful first time around? I am aware that it would be most likely the same interviewers and this is something to take into consideration, however I mostly feel that my rejection was a result of nerves on interview day and unrelated to the various interviewers. Anyway, thoughts?

Start here: https://apply.oxfordsu.org/colleges/suggester/
Original post by Anonymous
I appreciate this is a somewhat niche question and there possibly won't have been many in my situation, however, I applied to Oxford for 2024 entry (French and Italian ab initio) and was rejected post interview. Since then, I have decided to take a gap year (for other reasons, unrelated to my Oxford rejection) and reapply for the same course. In my initial application I applied to Keble College as I really liked it when I visited on the open day. A big part of me wants to reapply to Keble but I am very conscious of the saying that "doing the same thing and expecting different results is called insanity" (or something to that effect.) So, other reapplicants (successful or otherwise): When reapplying did you choose a different college? And is that a given? Would it be considered stupid to pick the same college again after being unsuccessful first time around? I am aware that it would be most likely the same interviewers and this is something to take into consideration, however I mostly feel that my rejection was a result of nerves on interview day and unrelated to the various interviewers. Anyway, thoughts?

I believe they (Oxford) generally recommend reapplicants apply to a different college so as to have a "clean slate"...? I have no idea whether there's any correlation between success rate (or lack thereof) and reapplying to the same college but might be simplest to pick another.

I think a number of courses will interview you at two colleges anyway and you could end up at a different college regardless, so I wouldn't get overly attached to any one college at this stage I would think? Just pick one that you like the general feel of and that fits your preferences in terms of size/offerings.

Note they are well aware that applicants will be nervous on the interview day and do account for this when they review applicants as I understand.
Yes I would definitely apply to a different college. It is better to have a clean slate.
Did you request feedback post-interview and if so, what did it say? Unless there was something absolutely explicit in the feedback to indicate that you were pipped to the post and were on the cusp of getting a place but sadly missed out/that you should reapply there, then I would highly advise choosing a different college :yep:
Reply 6
Original post by artful_lounger
I believe they (Oxford) generally recommend reapplicants apply to a different college so as to have a "clean slate"...? I have no idea whether there's any correlation between success rate (or lack thereof) and reapplying to the same college but might be simplest to pick another.
I think a number of courses will interview you at two colleges anyway and you could end up at a different college regardless, so I wouldn't get overly attached to any one college at this stage I would think? Just pick one that you like the general feel of and that fits your preferences in terms of size/offerings.
Note they are well aware that applicants will be nervous on the interview day and do account for this when they review applicants as I understand.

This was very helpful, thank you. To be honest I think you're right and it would probably be much more sensible to apply elsewhere this time. Also yes sorry that was worded clumsily, interview nerves for me showed themselves in the form of forgetting absolutely everything I've ever learned in my life which is why I felt I hadn't really been judged on "me"😂 Thank you for the advice.
Reply 7
Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd
Did you request feedback post-interview and if so, what did it say? Unless there was something absolutely explicit in the feedback to indicate that you were pipped to the post and were on the cusp of getting a place but sadly missed out/that you should reapply there, then I would highly advise choosing a different college :yep:

Fairly ambiguous feedback, something along the lines of "didn't perform as well as other candidates/ answers weren't as accurate". After thinking it over I tend to think you're right and it's probably best to reapply somewhere else. Thank you!
Reply 8

This is helping tremendously thanks!!

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