WHAT TO DO AT AN OXBRIDGE OPEN DAY

An Open Day at Oxford or Cambridge is a feast for the eyes.  Both towns have palatial old buildings, dreamy college quads and lush gardens. So, even if you have booked yourself into an event, it can be tempting to spend most of your time taking selfies in front of the tourist sites, or to roam the streets until each member of your group has found their perfect turreted college.  A student who has arrived alone, or from a not Oxbridge-geared school, may feel a bit intimidated and want to leave straight after the last speaker.

 

The thing to remember at this point is that you’re mainly there to suss out your course. So, don’t rush off too fast. Be brave and ask one of the speakers for advice or clarification, even if the event is just a general introduction. Which course-related book or journal might be most helpful to you, in her view? Does the university offer a master class or online subject lectures? It’s worth thinking whether you have any burning questions before travelling up.

 

The answers are likely to inspire you to work hard towards a successful application, even if bits of what  you’re hearing still leave you stumped.  If you’re starting to have doubts about your course choice, don’t just walk out either. Instead, talk to the friendly Oxbridge student volunteers about their course. What do they like best about it? Does it match any of your own interests?

 

Do also chat to sixth formers from other schools, whatever their accent. You will discover that prospective Oxbridge applicants come from all over the country and the world. Some are certain to share your enthusiasm for geography, materials science or maths. Chances are that they, too, like Tinie Tempah. This could be the start of a life-long friendship...
 

Meanwhile, relax if you find that a prospective applicant has read utterly obscure books or done a Mandarin course in Beijing. Most admissions tutors accept that there are other, cheaper ways in which a hard-working student can prove their ability.
 

Above all, don't make college choice the sole focus of your visit. After all, you may be allocated a college other than the stunning one you picked. Even if you aren't, two equally beautiful colleges can have quite different entrance standards or student preferences. So, try to keep an open mind until you´ve consulted a teacher or done some research. You´ll find more guidance on Open Days and colleges, as well as a full preparation checklist, in the just out, 2014 edition of OXBRIDGE ENTRANCE: THE REAL RULES.