Questions about Oxford Interviews

I was recently offered an English interview by St Hugh's (yay!), but not by my first choice, Magdalen (less yay). Since I was pooled, does this mean that I'll just be interviewed by them, or will I still get interviewed by two colleges?

Also, does anyone know how interview timing works for Americans? I live in an EST time zone, so I can't figure out any possible way that my interview wouldn't land in the middle of the school day (or the middle of the night).

Additionally, how heavy is the English Language and Literature interview on historical knowledge? While I feel I can somewhat adequately dissect a passage that's put in front of me, I worry I don't have a strong enough grasp of history or background. If they ask me to contrast two authors or genres, for example, I worry I won't be able to come up with anything.

I know I've asked a lot of questions, but any help would really be appreciated!

Reply 1

mishieru07

Original post

by catventura

I was recently offered an English interview by St Hugh's (yay!), but not by my first choice, Magdalen (less yay). Since I was pooled, does this mean that I'll just be interviewed by them, or will I still get interviewed by two colleges?
Also, does anyone know how interview timing works for Americans? I live in an EST time zone, so I can't figure out any possible way that my interview wouldn't land in the middle of the school day (or the middle of the night).
Additionally, how heavy is the English Language and Literature interview on historical knowledge? While I feel I can somewhat adequately dissect a passage that's put in front of me, I worry I don't have a strong enough grasp of history or background. If they ask me to contrast two authors or genres, for example, I worry I won't be able to come up with anything.
I know I've asked a lot of questions, but any help would really be appreciated!

https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/guide/interviews/interview-timetable2

"First college interviews will take place on Monday 8, Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 December. Decisions regarding second college interviews will be communicated to applicants by 2pm on Thursday 11 December. Second college interviews will be on Monday 15, Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 December."

My interpretation of this is that not all English candidates will be asked to do second college interviews (this is generally the case for many Arts/ Social Sciences subjects). If you do get a second college interview, it may not necessarily be at Magdalen.

Could you not simply ask for a day (or half day) off from school if your interview falls in the middle of the school day? I imagine that would be preferable to doing your interview(s) in the early morning hours before school (e.g. 7am EST), and I'd be very shocked if your school said no.

I didn't study English so can't help on the last question.

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 2

xyz1234567

They will time your interview so that it falls within reasonable working hours for you (eg 9-5). It isn’t going to be at 2am or anything! Given the time difference between the UK and EST it is very likely to be in the morning for you. But it may well be during school hours. That is exactly the same as for British candidates who will very likely have an interview in the middle of their school day. You can either take part of the day off school or ask your school if there is a quiet room with good internet access which you can go to to do your interview in.

Reply 3

joannadion

Original post

by catventura

I was recently offered an English interview by St Hugh's (yay!), but not by my first choice, Magdalen (less yay). Since I was pooled, does this mean that I'll just be interviewed by them, or will I still get interviewed by two colleges?
Also, does anyone know how interview timing works for Americans? I live in an EST time zone, so I can't figure out any possible way that my interview wouldn't land in the middle of the school day (or the middle of the night).
Additionally, how heavy is the English Language and Literature interview on historical knowledge? While I feel I can somewhat adequately dissect a passage that's put in front of me, I worry I don't have a strong enough grasp of history or background. If they ask me to contrast two authors or genres, for example, I worry I won't be able to come up with anything.
I know I've asked a lot of questions, but any help would really be appreciated!

Well done on achieving an interview! Regardless of college, it's an incredible achievement, and even people who are relocated end up loving the college they're at.

If you were relocated from Magdalen to St Hugh's, you'll only be interviewed by St Hugh's. They will email you all the details for the interview timings. Also, I don't know what time the interview schedule starts and finishes, but if your application is international, then I assume they would see that and wouldn't schedule it for an insane/unrealistic time. I'm in the UK, and my interview lands in the middle of the school day, so if that happens for yours as well, it's probably worth asking your school to take time out for the day/hour you'll need. And maybe you could ask to reschedule if it really isn't convenient?

Anyway, they aren't necessarily concerned about what knowledge you have or don't have during the interview. Essentially, they just want to see how you think, how you express your thoughts, and how you handle/adapt to new ideas you probably haven't encountered before. Don't worry about answering in the 'right way', just link to what you know when appropriate and consider their ideas when you don't (think of it a bit like 'yes, and' in improv). If you're unsure of something, don't be scared to say so! They're not there to catch you out; they want to see how you discuss what you love! :smile: