Difference between revisions of "Get Into Oxbridge"
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===Having A Long-Term Plan=== | ===Having A Long-Term Plan=== | ||
| − | #Decide if Oxbridge is right for you. Oxford and Cambridge are great places to study and look very good on a CV. One in five member of the Parliament actually went to Oxbridge!<ref>http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/feb/05/private-school-oxford-cambridge-educations-over-represented-parliamentary-candidates</ref> In a few cases, you may wish to consider top universities overseas, or another university for a specialist degree (e.g. Mechanical Engineering). You might also want to study in another European country to enjoy other cultures or learn a language. | + | #Decide if Oxbridge is right for you. Oxford and Cambridge are great places to study and look very good on a CV. One in five member of the Parliament actually went to Oxbridge!<ref name="rf1">http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/feb/05/private-school-oxford-cambridge-educations-over-represented-parliamentary-candidates</ref> In a few cases, you may wish to consider top universities overseas, or another university for a specialist degree (e.g. Mechanical Engineering). You might also want to study in another European country to enjoy other cultures or learn a language. |
#* Make sure to visit Oxford and Cambridge. You can access the colleges and talk to the students. You can also contact the universities and colleges through their webpages or by phone. Don't send emails to the lecturers and professors. They don't deal with general queries and are already busy enough. | #* Make sure to visit Oxford and Cambridge. You can access the colleges and talk to the students. You can also contact the universities and colleges through their webpages or by phone. Don't send emails to the lecturers and professors. They don't deal with general queries and are already busy enough. | ||
| − | #* If you haven't studied in the United Kingdom before, look at the criteria online or contact the admission teams. They have very specific criteria for each country on the planet. <ref>http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/international-students/international-qualifications</ref> | + | #* If you haven't studied in the United Kingdom before, look at the criteria online or contact the admission teams. They have very specific criteria for each country on the planet. <ref name="rf2">http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/international-students/international-qualifications</ref> |
#Decide if you are willing to commit yourself early. Your A-Levels will determine if you are admitted or not. As a teenager, you will be expected to work over 40 hours a week for some subjects, so make sure you are willing to dedicate yourself to the hard work. | #Decide if you are willing to commit yourself early. Your A-Levels will determine if you are admitted or not. As a teenager, you will be expected to work over 40 hours a week for some subjects, so make sure you are willing to dedicate yourself to the hard work. | ||
#* Your A-Level results are extremely important. If you feel you will be able to achieve highly when taking more than three A-Level results, then feel free to do so. However, the number of results is far less important than the grades. It is better to do better with three A levels (at least AAA or higher, dependent on course and university), than to do less well with four or more. Most Admissions Tutors will agree with this. | #* Your A-Level results are extremely important. If you feel you will be able to achieve highly when taking more than three A-Level results, then feel free to do so. However, the number of results is far less important than the grades. It is better to do better with three A levels (at least AAA or higher, dependent on course and university), than to do less well with four or more. Most Admissions Tutors will agree with this. | ||
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=== Mastering The Application Process=== | === Mastering The Application Process=== | ||
| − | #Choose between Cambridge and Oxford. It might be obvious but you need to know where you want to study when you apply. There is a strong rivalry between the two universities and you probably already have a preference. The most rational way to pick the right institution for you is by picking the strongest in your field. Oxford performs far worse in engineering and technology than Cambridge but is better for life sciences, medicine and humanities.<ref>http://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/choosing-university/oxford-or-cambridge</ref> | + | #Choose between Cambridge and Oxford. It might be obvious but you need to know where you want to study when you apply. There is a strong rivalry between the two universities and you probably already have a preference. The most rational way to pick the right institution for you is by picking the strongest in your field. Oxford performs far worse in engineering and technology than Cambridge but is better for life sciences, medicine and humanities.<ref name="rf3">http://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/choosing-university/oxford-or-cambridge</ref> |
#* It is slightly easier to reach Cambridge from London. | #* It is slightly easier to reach Cambridge from London. | ||
| − | #* Think about the financial implication. The tuition fees are currently £9,000 per year and you should allow an additional £8,300 per year to live in Cambridge.<ref>http://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/finance/living-costs</ref>. Oxford is slightly more expensive in terms of living costs. | + | #* Think about the financial implication. The tuition fees are currently £9,000 per year and you should allow an additional £8,300 per year to live in Cambridge.<ref name="rf4">http://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/finance/living-costs</ref>. Oxford is slightly more expensive in terms of living costs. |
#Choose your college. You will need to pick a college when you apply and write the application. Read up about as many colleges as you can. You can view the statistics of each college online to see how many people applied and got in for each course. Study the history of the college and try to remember the name of a few of its prominent members. It’s important to show that you care. | #Choose your college. You will need to pick a college when you apply and write the application. Read up about as many colleges as you can. You can view the statistics of each college online to see how many people applied and got in for each course. Study the history of the college and try to remember the name of a few of its prominent members. It’s important to show that you care. | ||
#* Make sure to choose a college that offers your subject. You can find information on this on the University websites. | #* Make sure to choose a college that offers your subject. You can find information on this on the University websites. | ||
#* Only take an open application if you are unsure what college you want to go to. This will not affect your chances but you will be asked why you didn't apply for a college at the interview. Make sure to underline that it has nothing to do with you not caring or not having read on them. | #* Only take an open application if you are unsure what college you want to go to. This will not affect your chances but you will be asked why you didn't apply for a college at the interview. Make sure to underline that it has nothing to do with you not caring or not having read on them. | ||
| − | #Write an excellent [[Write a Personal Statement for UCAS|personal statement]] and UCAS application. Oxbridge will only look at your personal statement for a few minutes. It has to be perfect. Ask several teachers to look over it and even get your friends to double-check. Make sure to take the advice of experienced teachers. There are many ways to approach a personal statement but make sure to mention the following in your letter<ref>http://www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/study/medicine/pre-clinical/applying/anatomy-of-ps</ref>: | + | #Write an excellent [[Write a Personal Statement for UCAS|personal statement]] and UCAS application. Oxbridge will only look at your personal statement for a few minutes. It has to be perfect. Ask several teachers to look over it and even get your friends to double-check. Make sure to take the advice of experienced teachers. There are many ways to approach a personal statement but make sure to mention the following in your letter<ref name="rf5">http://www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/study/medicine/pre-clinical/applying/anatomy-of-ps</ref>: |
#*Introduction about the subject, why you want to do it, etc. (show some knowledge of the course) | #*Introduction about the subject, why you want to do it, etc. (show some knowledge of the course) | ||
#*Academic achievement | #*Academic achievement | ||
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#*Extra curricular activities and hobbies | #*Extra curricular activities and hobbies | ||
#*Conclusion (include what you want to do after university). | #*Conclusion (include what you want to do after university). | ||
| − | #Take the test (Oxford only). There are extra steps between the UCAS and the interview at the University of Oxford. The first one is a test with the Admissions Testing Service.<ref>http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/tests</ref> | + | #Take the test (Oxford only). There are extra steps between the UCAS and the interview at the University of Oxford. The first one is a test with the Admissions Testing Service.<ref name="rf6">http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/tests</ref> |
| − | #* The test is not systematic. It is required when you need specific knowledge, like Latin and Greek for Classic studies. A full list and several examples of tests are available on the webpage of the University of Oxford.<ref | + | #* The test is not systematic. It is required when you need specific knowledge, like Latin and Greek for Classic studies. A full list and several examples of tests are available on the webpage of the University of Oxford.<ref name="rf6" /> |
#* Each test is different. Make sure to read what's required and the criteria about your specific discipline. | #* Each test is different. Make sure to read what's required and the criteria about your specific discipline. | ||
| − | #Submit your written work (Oxford only). You will need to submit written work. The piece needs to be marked and cannot be more than 2,000 words. Make sure to select the best written work you can.<ref>http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/written-work</ref> | + | #Submit your written work (Oxford only). You will need to submit written work. The piece needs to be marked and cannot be more than 2,000 words. Make sure to select the best written work you can.<ref name="rf7">http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/written-work</ref> |
#* The written work should be relevant to your future career path. Don't send a history essay if you want to study biology. | #* The written work should be relevant to your future career path. Don't send a history essay if you want to study biology. | ||
#Shine at the interview. If you are called for an interview, you will need to prepare. They will ask you difficult questions and try to test you. You must prove your knowledge and your desire to learn in that particular university. They will also ask you about your hobbies. Remember that they are looking for human beings who can contribute to the life of the college. | #Shine at the interview. If you are called for an interview, you will need to prepare. They will ask you difficult questions and try to test you. You must prove your knowledge and your desire to learn in that particular university. They will also ask you about your hobbies. Remember that they are looking for human beings who can contribute to the life of the college. | ||
