Oxford Chemistry Students and Applicants

Hi Guys,

First of all: Excuse me if this question has already been asked!

I want to apply for Chemistry in Oxford in two years or something.
So in Austria we do not have a very good Chemistry course in school and so I have to learn it on my own. (but I'm not so bad^^, otherwise wouldn't consider applying to Oxford)
Since I'm not from the UK I have absolutely no idea what awaits in interview.

So can you give me some advice what I should study or read??
(any A level books, magazines, just everyone you did to prepare for the interview)
Maybe you can give me any questions which might be asked in the interview?! (just how I said I don't know anything!)

Looking forward to your answers!!

Reply 501

Kestrel_Lover_Sophie

11

MikeAdamer

Hi Guys,

First of all: Excuse me if this question has already been asked!

I want to apply for Chemistry in Oxford in two years or something.
So in Austria we do not have a very good Chemistry course in school and so I have to learn it on my own. (but I'm not so bad^^, otherwise wouldn't consider applying to Oxford)
Since I'm not from the UK I have absolutely no idea what awaits in interview.

So can you give me some advice what I should study or read??
(any A level books, magazines, just everyone you did to prepare for the interview)
Maybe you can give me any questions which might be asked in the interview?! (just how I said I don't know anything!)

Looking forward to your answers!!

Hi, I'm applying for that course this year so I can only give you the advice I myself have been given.

Firstly, make sure you know your A-level syllabus or equivalent really well. It won't look good if you don't know the answers to basic questions you should understand well. Secondly, read whatever chemistry-related material catches your interest, whether that be magazine articles, A-level/first year undergrad textbooks etc. Make sure that as well as reading it you spend a little time thinking about what's said, maybe putting in a little further research if you are unsure about anything there, considering how it relates to what you know already and questioning how this new information might lead to other areas...

There's no point trying to prepare for specific questions in the interview as it will be blindingly obvious you've done so, even if you do manage to get hold of past interview questions. It is part of the interview set-up that the questions should be new and get you to think in ways you wouldn't in a normal A-level question so try and embrace that as an exciting, if nerve-racking, part of the procedure!

Remember that this is just speculation :p:

I'm just repeating the advice I've been given by a range of people, from teachers to the admissions tutors but I hope it is of some help!
Good luck though if you decide to apply.

Reply 502

MikeAdamer

Thanks a lot!
I'm trying to do all that, but it's so difficult to find magazines which write about chemical things.
Can you advise me one?
I just wanted to know some past questions because everybody says that this questions will "get you to think in ways you wouldn't in a normal a level question."
So I want to know which ways.

PS: I may sound like an "over - preparation" but all I want is to get into Oxford :smile:

Reply 503

Cirsium

19

MikeAdamer

Thanks a lot!
I'm trying to do all that, but it's so difficult to find magazines which write about chemical things.
Can you advise me one?
I just wanted to know some past questions because everybody says that this questions will "get you to think in ways you wouldn't in a normal a level question."
So I want to know which ways.

PS: I may sound like an "over - preparation" but all I want is to get into Oxford :smile:

What they mean is that an A-level Chemistry question would be like "what's the molecular weight of this compound? What's the yield of this reaction? What's the protocol for this experiment?" All questions that you know the answer to. Whereas the interview is more like 'here's an interesting phenomenon... What do you think might cause it?'

Reply 504

Achilles99

5

Try why chemical reactions happen, Wothers, for interest, and Clugston as an AS/A level textbook- they were great

Reply 505

MikeAdamer

Bekaboo

Whereas the interview is more like 'here's an interesting phenomenon... What do you think might cause it?'

Thank you very much!! Now I can imagine what awaits me.

Achilles99

Try why chemical reactions happen, Wothers, for interest, and Clugston as an AS/A level textbook- they were great

Thanks, that's what I was looking for. A great A level book!!

Reply 506

MrChem

MikeAdamer

Thanks, that's what I was looking for. A great A level book!!

I'll be honest, its not A-level level... more like between A level and first year.

edit: referring to why chemical reactions happen.

Reply 507

BJack

19

WCRH goes well beyond what's expected of you at A level.

Reply 508

Xerophelistica

9

BJack

WCRH goes well beyond what's expected of you at A level.

This this this this.

I think the interviewers would have to be very very harsh to ask you many of the things from that book.

Reply 509

Achilles99

5

Thus why I said for interest for that book, clug for a level :biggrin:

Reply 510

Turdburger

16

I miss A level chemistry :'(

Reply 511

cpchem

14

Chem chat really ought to be more active than this...

Reply 512

cpchem

14

I'm still freaked out by how nice the DP is now...

Reply 513

tarnishedpenny

cpchem

I'm still freaked out by how nice the DP is now...

I know - it's terrifying! And rather pink at the front.....
I went into the lab (DP) for the first time since MT07 today.....and that was still only the building. Woops......

Reply 514

Turdburger

16

They wait till Ive finished before putting nice new iMacs in the ICL labs. :frown:

Reply 515

Lajtastic

Is anyone here going to the Sciences Interview Information day on saturday 24th?

Reply 516

cpchem

14

Turdburger

They wait till Ive finished before putting nice new iMacs in the ICL labs. :frown:

That's mean.

I really quite like the new DP theatre. We had a really good colloquium in there today - theories about the origin of/mechanistic rationale for biological homochirality.

Reply 517

Powerhead

Well, I'm applying for 2010, Chemistry, so count me in. :smile:

Reply 518

chemicalbrothers13

Hi,

I am applying to Exeter to read Chemistry. Met the tutor and visited the college and liked both. Can anyone tell me anymore about either the college or the course please. Also - what might I expect at the interview?

thanks

Reply 519

Kitsch

7

cpchem

That's mean.

I really quite like the new DP theatre. We had a really good colloquium in there today - theories about the origin of/mechanistic rationale for biological homochirality.

That was a really good lecture :yep:

I did kind of sleep for 5 minutes though. Accidentally.

How's your part II?

Oxford Chemistry Students and Applicants

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Trending

Latest