Posted on 11th October 2012

Applying to Oxbridge?

The deadline for making an application to Oxford or Cambridge is almost upon us and so we thought it might be a good idea to suggest a few last minute bits of advice/things to think about…

-As you can only apply to one of the two, it really is absolutely vital to work out why you are choosing the one you are. Ensure that you have looked at both universities thoroughly. Although there are a lot of similarities there are also just as many differences, and you need to ensure that you apply to the right one and for the right reasons.

-Once you know which university you are applying to, you need to be certain you are opting for the right college. Again, each of the colleges vary a great deal. The best way to find out the nitty gritty details is to talk to current and ex students.

-Be absolutely certain you’re applying to study a subject you absolutely love. You will have to work extremely hard if you get offered a place, and so you have to be seriously passionate about your subject. Think long and hard about why you are applying for a particular course.

-It is vital that you do not ‘embellish’ your personal statement with texts you haven’t read, or don’t thoroughly know. At your interview you may very well be asked about what you have read recently and you do not want to be caught out for lying!

-Think about what it would mean if you did get offered a place. A lot of people apply to Oxbridge because they are seduced by the idea of going to one of the two most famous universities in the world. However, once you get there you have to work an awful lot. Yes, there’s a lot of fun to be had and extra-curricular activities to get stuck into, but the terms are unbelievably intense, there’s a lot of pressure and you will need to dedicate an incredibly hefty amount of time and effort to the degree itself.

-Consider what you will do over the next few weeks in order to prepare for the interview. Which books will you read or revise? Will you be able to have a mock interview at school? If not, then ask your teachers if they can arrange one, or call Enjoy Education and we can arrange one for you.

Good luck!