Oxford Chemistry Students and Applicants

Two things....

One, salters covers so little theory they will never cover topics you have done before.
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Two, they aim to ask about stuff you haven't seen at school. That's how they gauge your aptitude for the subject, not how well you memorized the course so don't worry about point one.

****. I'm screwed

Well you misunderstood my point then.

Oh, so I have a fighting chance?

For some strange and totally unknown reason the tutors are actually trying to give everyone a fair chance!!!

Think about it, if your course/what you had learnt made a difference then those who had taken a year out and applied after completing A-levels would have a massive advantage. They know that people haven't covered topics and they are interested in how you deal with new stuff, not what you already know.

Bit of a silly question but when you mention an area of chemistry you've enjoyed in your further reading, or mention a specific topic you've enjoyed in your personal statement, to what level of knowledge do they expect you to have on that topic? As in, do they expect you to have done some further reading on that area to first-year level for example?

Bit of a silly question but when you mention an area of chemistry you've enjoyed in your further reading, or mention a specific topic you've enjoyed in your personal statement, to what level of knowledge do they expect you to have on that topic? As in, do they expect you to have done some further reading on that area to first-year level for example?

What have you mentioned?

That assumes they read them (bear in mind this isn't a set thing amongst tutors) but mine didn't/only skim read my personal statement. They're all so full of bull**** that I don;t think an average oxford tutor can be bothered. It's all different with the arts subjects though!

What have you mentioned?

I walked in to my first interview and the book I said I'd read (I hadn't - called Oxygen by Nick Lane) was on his desk. Needless to say this was a difficult one for me.. they asked about which parts of the book I liked the most and why, general lines of thought in it, and to discuss the main focuses of the book, where they occur, why etc (in this case oxide, superoxide, peroxide). You don't need deep knowledge of what you say you're interested in but if you put a book or paper down make sure you have read it.. this should be obvious

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Only a few days ago did I realise how many things I mentioned and it was too late to make drastic changes. I've mentioned quantum cooling, transition metal ions (essentially crystal field theory), nuclear fusion for making new elements, heat fate death of the universe, the recent discovery of diamonds in a candle flame, and the link between gibbs free energy and equilibrium constants...I am screwed.
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Of these, you're most likely to be asked about the technical details of crystal field theory (an important 1st year topic) and the relationship between GFE and the equilibrium constant. Either of these could form the basis of an entire interview if the interviewers were feeling particularly keen but it's rather unlikely.

Sorry but I so hope they ask you about quantum cooling, that would be so funny (just cos it happened, not because it happened to you).... If you write about things you don't understand then you have to take the risk (I'm not really familiar with Qcooling either, but i didn't put it in my personal statement!)

CFT is easy enough and the relation between G and K is, well pretty simple........ but massive consequences.

Also, which college have you applied/ are going to apply to?

Is it normal to feel out of depth in this whole process, especially with the intervews or is that a sign you should just pull out? My grades are okay but I'm not sure on the extended knowledge

I have a little while left before I apply, but I was wondering if anyone could give me advice on A Level choices.

I am taking chemistry, maths (stats), economics and English lit. Do I realistically stand a chance of studying chemistry at Oxford (providing I get the required grades and a good p.s.) without physics or f.maths (or mechanics). I can read up more on the physical side of chemistry, but I'm not sure if this is sufficient!

Thank you for your help.

That should be sufficient. Almost half of the people reading chemistry haven't done physics at A-level. I would advise you though to take as many mechanics modules as possible as it is an important part of the course.