oxford imposter syndrome

Original post by tilllyb07

Ahahahaha maybe read what I’ve actually said before being rude🥰

I think you misunderstood me to start with, I don't even get why you made this post- just so people can tell you its alright? What is even the point?

Reply 7

Original post by stilllearning123

I think you misunderstood me to start with, I don't even get why you made this post- just so people can tell you its alright? What is even the point?

The point is to get reassurance and perspective and advice from people who have seen similar posts year in, year out on TSR. This is not a new query/worry, and the OP won't be the last to post thoughts like this. Imposter syndrome is very real for Oxford applicants and students. I don't think the OP has posted anything controversial or out of order. You seem to have misunderstood them, or have a bee in your bonnet for no reason...

Reply 8

Original post by tilllyb07

i recently received an interview invite for experimental psych at oxford. since then, ive been going down a rabbit hole of reading countless threads regarding oxford decisions. i see people predicted 4 A*s with all 9s at GCSE who have lots of work experience being rejected and its starting to make me feel like i dont deserve my interview - there have been people who have had oxford as their dream for so so long and even though i know ive worked hard i almost feel like i shouldn't get an interview over them. im not the person who always gets 100% and locks themselves away to revise and prep. im not looking for sympathy as i know im incredibly lucky to be in this position, but just wondering if anyone felt the same?

Hi OP,

It's quite understandable to feel this way, though there really is no need! If you're someone with low self-confidence and/or were not quite expecting an interview invite, then it's natural to begin to question what's going on if others around you or on the Internet are not getting invites but seem to be "better" applicants than you.

The reality is that straight A*s or 9s only form part of a very rich and detailed picture of the information Oxford gathers about applicants pre-interview. Interviewers are tutors who would teach you, if you get in - therefore it's important to them that they pick interesting people, and people who demonstrate a keen willingness to learn, teachability, and potential. You don't have to be the perfect or finished product at all :nah:

I can really empathise with how you feel. Although it was the early days of social media (and I wasn't on TSR when I applied), I got to the interviews (which were in-person at the time, over a 3-day period) and quickly realised my grades were "inferior" to everyone else's (I had aaac at AS level). 90% of applicants get interviewed for my subject, so thankfully that worked in my favour - and then I blew them away with my interviews and my written work! (I'm told I was the best girl who I applied for my subject at my college that year!)

My advice to you would be to try and avoid TSR, Reddit, and other such websites until after your interviews are over (assuming they may be happening this coming week). Don't let any competition or other applicants make you feel inferior, or make you doubt your worth! I applied for music in 2006 and beat the then-BBC Young Musician of the Year (who was also the BBC Young Composer of the Year! What a jammy dodger :biggrin:

) to get my place. So the sky's the limit and anything and everything is possible!

Good luck :hugs:

Reply 9

Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd

The point is to get reassurance and perspective and advice from people who have seen similar posts year in, year out on TSR. This is not a new query/worry, and the OP won't be the last to post thoughts like this. Imposter syndrome is very real for Oxford applicants and students. I don't think the OP has posted anything controversial or out of order. You seem to have misunderstood them, or have a bee in your bonnet for no reason...

My main problem is that they've decided to start an argument after they misunderstood my joke, so decided to report my messages.
I didn't have any problem with them until they started on me and I just want them to stop messaging already 🤣

Reply 10

University of Salford Student Rep

Original post by stilllearning123

My main problem is that they've decided to start an argument after they misunderstood my joke, so decided to report my messages.
I didn't have any problem with them until they started on me and I just want them to stop messaging already 🤣

Perhaps you should have been clearer that you were joking. I saw some of the posts before they got deleted, they did not come across as a joke to me (and I'm an alumna!), so I can see why the OP didn't recognise them as a joke either :fyi:

Reply 11

Official Rep

11

Original post by tilllyb07

i recently received an interview invite for experimental psych at oxford. since then, ive been going down a rabbit hole of reading countless threads regarding oxford decisions. i see people predicted 4 A*s with all 9s at GCSE who have lots of work experience being rejected and its starting to make me feel like i dont deserve my interview - there have been people who have had oxford as their dream for so so long and even though i know ive worked hard i almost feel like i shouldn't get an interview over them. im not the person who always gets 100% and locks themselves away to revise and prep. im not looking for sympathy as i know im incredibly lucky to be in this position, but just wondering if anyone felt the same?

Hi @tilllyb07

First of all, Congratulations on your interview! That is fantastic news - you should be proud of yourself you clearly made a brilliant impression on your application.

What are you thinking of studying there?

It is totally normal to suffer imposter syndrome when applying somewhere so highly regarded and competitive, but remember they wouldn't offer you an interview if they didn't see potential in you.

Although the interview helps determine if you are offered a space don't forget the interview is also to help you decide if you wish to study here. Given your work ethic and conscientiousness, it sounds like the University of Oxford would be lucky to have you as a student! Like others have said universities aren't looking for the perfect "finished product" they're looking for interesting, independent, hard-working students with potential.

Just be yourself for the interview, it is worth chatting about any extracurricular activities, qualifications, work experience, and interests you have alongside your studies to give the university an idea of who you are as a person.

Don't be afraid to ask questions, perhaps have some questions prepared that you couldn't find the answers for from information you have access to about the university/course. Then if they aren't answered as part of the interview ask them when you get the opportunity, it will show that you've thoroughly researched the course and will help you work out whether it is the university for you.

It is really important you study somewhere you feel comfortable, happy, and can fulfil your potential, whether that is Oxford or elsewhere.

Have you been to any open days at all? It is worth visiting your favourite universities you have applied to. This is because Open Days can be an excellent opportunity to:

🙂 Meet academic staff and find out more about your chosen course, such as support for parents.
🙂 Meet fellow students and get an insight into student life at that university
🙂 Speak to other departments such as student support.
🙂 Have a campus tour and view the course facilities
🙂 Explore local accommodation options (if applicable).
🙂 You could visit the university cities to see if you think you’d be happy spending a minimum of three years there exploring them.

Some universities (like mine) offer a travel bursary towards the cost of attending an open day as we appreciate that the pennies can start adding up if you attend several Open Days.

If you get the opportunity before or after your interview it is worth exploring The Uni of Oxford and the surrounding areas to see how you feel about potentially studying there.

Best of luck with your interview and good luck with your exams!

Lucy 🙂
(Official Uni of Salford Student Rep)

(edited 3 months ago)

Reply 12

Anonymous #2

Original post by tilllyb07

i recently received an interview invite for experimental psych at oxford. since then, ive been going down a rabbit hole of reading countless threads regarding oxford decisions. i see people predicted 4 A*s with all 9s at GCSE who have lots of work experience being rejected and its starting to make me feel like i dont deserve my interview - there have been people who have had oxford as their dream for so so long and even though i know ive worked hard i almost feel like i shouldn't get an interview over them. im not the person who always gets 100% and locks themselves away to revise and prep. im not looking for sympathy as i know im incredibly lucky to be in this position, but just wondering if anyone felt the same?

Hi if it makes you feel better I am a 1st year at LSE doing Economics, I also have imposter syndrome sometimes and realise many people around me also have it. You always tend to overvalue another person's smartness over your own because you dont know their weaknesses but know yours very well.

Reply 13

Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd

Perhaps you should have been clearer that you were joking. I saw some of the posts before they got deleted, they did not come across as a joke to me (and I'm an alumna!), so I can see why the OP didn't recognise them as a joke either :fyi:

To avoid future misunderstanding then, how else should I make clear it was a joke apart from my clear "🤣"?

Reply 14

Original post by stilllearning123

To avoid future misunderstanding then, how else should I make clear it was a joke apart from my clear "🤣"?

Emojis are actually a good way of communicating tone - I've found people understand my TSR posts (and the tone behind them better) now that I throw in lots of emojis! Changing what you write to be a more passive or softer tone is also an option, or changing the wording :yes:

Reply 15