Applications to Oxford and Cambridge Victoria Saunders Oxbridge Tutor Stamford High School Geoffrey Brown Oxbridge Tutor Stamford School

WHAT DO THEY LOOK FOR IN APPLICANTS? Passion, interest and commitment to the subject Strong record in examinations Academic potential to succeed at the highest academic level Vocational commitment (where appropriate)

MYTHS It helps if you captain a sports team Head boys/girls get in They are looking for all rounders Alumni connections are needed It is harder if you are from an independent school It is easier if you are from an independent school Interviewers like to play tricks

SELECTION CRITERIA Admissions decisions are based on: A level (or equivalent) grades and subject combinations AS grades and (Cambridge) unit marks GCSE grades UCAS school/college reference UCAS personal statement Submitted work (where requested) Test results (where applicable) Interview performance

Examinations Appropriate subject combinations A levels: predicted or achieved grades Other post-16 examination systems AS unit scores (Cambridge) GCSEs Profile of an ‘average’ Oxbridge applicant: GCSE: 5-8 A*s AS: 92% across three most relevant, or best, subjects

APTITUDE TESTS How do they use aptitude tests? To inform about ability not otherwise revealed in examinations In the event that interviews ‘malfunction’ In advance of interview: e.g. BMAT, LNAT, HAT & PAT (Oxford) At time of interview: e.g. TSA (Cambridge) More informal tests

Interviews Around 75% of applicants are called for interview Interviews usually take place in December; some Cambridge applicants are called for additional interviews in mid January Interviews are conducted principally by the preference College (Cambridge), or by the preference College and an additional College (Oxford) Applicants have 1, 2 or 3 interviews, each lasting 20-45 minutes, at each College Interviews are conducted by lecturers and are predominantly academic and subject-focused

WHAT DO INTERVIEWERS SEEK? Genuine subject interest Appropriateness of chosen course Enthusiasm for complex and challenging ideas Clarity of thought and analytical ability Intellectual flexibility Vocational or professional commitment (where appropriate)

The Standard Offer Cambridge A*AA (Arts) A*A*A (Sciences) Oxford AAA In both universities lower offers may be made in specific cases, usually for access reasons. Offers can be higher eg. A*A*A*A for Law at Cambridge

UNSUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS Every year thousands of unsuccessful Oxbridge applicants go on to achieve three or more A grades at A level The strength of competition makes decisions VERY difficult The ‘Pool’ (Cambridge) Feedback is available but limited Re-application (contact them) Conditional offers: they are conditional It is not the best place for many students

PROCESS Y11 Make sure GCSEs are the best they can be Trip to Oxbridge Conference in Lincoln (February) Start researching courses and A Level subject combinations Reading Work experience (where appropriate)

PROCESS Y12 Ensure work in Y12 is as good as it can be Attend introductory talk from admissions tutor in January Attend Monday lunchtime introductory sessions led by Oxbridge tutors within school Attend Oxbridge Conference (February) Read around the subject Seek out super-curricular opportunities Attend open days Research courses and colleges Draft personal statement Research entrance tests

PROCESS Y13 Finalise UCAS form by 15th October Work with subject specialist mentor Attend Monday Oxbridge sessions Practice interviews within school and with LGS Continue super-curricular activities and reading Entrance tests (where appropriate) in early November Send written work to admissions tutors Interviews (early December) Offers/rejections (early Jan) Confirmation of decision on results day (Aug)

Successful candidates 2014

More Information Useful additional information is available in prospectus and on websites at: www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate www.admissions.ox.ac.uk Useful books So you want to go to Oxbridge? Tell me about a banana. A link to this presentation will be on the Digest