Show a little personality (How to get into Oxbridge)

Member Name: pussycat

Product:	How to get into Oxbridge
Date:	24/08/00 (426 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Prestige, excellent standard of education, lovely surroundings

Disadvantages: Selection procedure can be stressful, collegiate system can be isolating

This advice stems from my experience when getting into Cambridge but is really applicable to anything which involves a selection procedure as it has always worked for me.

It is certainly true to say that it is not enough to have four outstanding A level marks. Everyone you are competing against will have this too. I totally agree with the opinion written by moronboy in which it is said that something above and beyond this - interesting work experience, travel, charity work, sporting prowess, editing the school newspaper, whatever - will help. But my experience is that there is also more to it than that.

You need to come across as a person they will want to give a place to - and by this I don't mean social class (there was a truly eclectic mix of backgrounds at my college). It means disregarding all the 'correct' answers to questions that you are advised to give by all the so-called experts. They want to give a place to a person, not a carbon-copy of someone's idea of the perfect student who is regurgitating the same practised answers. So have a personality. Say things that you really feel, not what you think they want to hear.

OK, moderation in all things - this doesn't mean express your most radical views about things. Try to use the questions that they ask at the interview to demonstrate that you are an interesting and thoughtful person who is dedicated to their studies but who has a range of other interests. I was actually told that the reason my interview was successful was because I came across as an individual who clearly knew what they wanted and had given some thought to how they were going to achieve it.

This brings me to another point. Have a reason for choosing your particular college - do some research - what are their strong points? What is it that made you choose them over the others (it being well-known is not a good one to go for and, yes, people have said it!) If the admissions tu
tor can see that you have made a conscious decision based upon some sensible grounds they will be more likely to consider your application favourable.

My final point is linked to all of the above. You need to be a person that they remember and liked. I telephoned the admissions tutor at my college before the interview to discuss a couple of points so she knew who I was when I got there. Also, when they have an informal chat with you, try to do just that. They can easily spot people how are still in artifial interview mode and are trying to impress. Equally, nothing is as off-putting as someone who cannot form a coherant sentence even if it is due to nervousness.

Finally, remember that if you don't get in, there are plenty of other universities offering excellent courses. Cambridge was one of four universities that I have been to and I can honestly say that, in some respects,other places were just as good, if not better.

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