We are constantly being asked when is the best time to begin preparation and start deciding on colleges and courses.

In the Summer Term, many colleges open their gates to hordes of eager Sixth Form students who are keen to speak to Director of Studies, Senior Tutors and current students. If you are seriously considering Oxbridge, we highly recommend that you access the Cambridge and Oxford websites for Open Days and start planning your visits. Most of these Open Days will be running until  late June / early July and it is a great opportunity to gauge which college is best for you, as well as making a visit to the department. If you successfully apply and receive a place, you need to make sure you’ve made the right choice so it’s extremely important to do your homework on the colleges and which tutors would be teaching you.

Of course, the summer break provides ample opportunity to read thoroughly around your subject and perhaps even to keep a scrap book of relevant articles from newspapers to refer to before interview. Are you up to date with current affairs, regularly reading broadsheets, watching Newsnight, Horizon etc? Have you looked at the Department website and requested a reading list? Most faculties will have  a recommended introductory list which they give out to first years and potential applicants. It is undeniably impressive to an interviewer to be able to refer to recommended books, offering critical analysis of certain texts. Relevance to your subject can be found outside the library and classroom through work experience, exhibitions and attending talks, all of which should feed into a well rounded application to Oxbridge.

From September, the pressure for Oxbridge steps up a few gears and you should be finalising your UCAS statement and additional Oxbridge forms. Before the uncomfortable wait for the thin white envelope outlining your interview time and date, keep to a steady pace with relevant reading around your subject as well as interview practice. Ideas which seem coherent and well balanced in your head can come out as mumbled and disjointed to an interviewer who is constantly challenging any point you make. The way you put yourself across [hopefully likeable, interesting and intelligent] is just as important as your subject knowledge and grades.   Do call us if you’d like to put together a programme of work to make sure you’re fully prepared for the specific aptitude tests and interviews.  We can put you in touch with a graduate who can be your mentor and help you make the right decisions and plan ahead.