UCAS WORRIES AMONG OXBRIDGE APPLICANTS

       At Oxford

Reading through your draft statement can generate new, paralysing worries. Here is some advice that will move you on.

Will Oxbridge be impressed with a quotation?

Almost certainly not. With so little space available, it is your voice the reader needs to hear. You certainly don’t want to include any lengthy excerpts.

 

My statement is too long

Save space by avoiding the obvious. There is no need to say “As long as I can remember, I have always loved history” if you can show an active engagement with the course subject.

I am doing well at school, but how else can I show my Oxbridge potential?

It’s not just what you know but also what you are curious about that matters here. Oxbridge dons want students who bubble with unanswered questions. So, tell the reader what intrigues you about the world or your field.

 

Still, with so many applicants, how can I possibly stand out?

Try to be specific. This means spelling out which subject area, type of experiment. school of thought or form of poetry rocks your boat. You’re interested in Physics? Good, but what in particular? And why?

 Personal experience with a bearing on your academic interest can be worth mentioning too. So can a challenging, perhaps unusual hobby or volunteer post. What will make an Oxbridge candidate stand out most, though, is the range, depth and quantity of their reading. If that sounds scary, check out the advice on how to read difficult books in OXBRIDGE ENTRANCE: THE REAL RULES*.

 

What if I find myself disagreeing with the views put forward in an Oxbridge-recommended book? 

It’s fine to say so, albeit briefly, as long as you give a good reason for this. What matters is to not just blindly reject an unfamiliar idea. Oxbridge quite likes argumentative students.

 

How do I get across that I’m really clever? 

Your school reference, depth of knowledge and academic engagement will convey that, if your self-assessment is correct. Writing that “after following world politics for a number of years, I like to think of myself as a bit of an expert” will just make you look a brat. Given the time and effort Oxbridge dons spend on becoming experts, they may also feel you lack the patience to succeed.

I’m not sure I am smart enough for Oxbridge. Should I say so?

While modesty is a virtue, you can overdo it. “I hope I shall be able to cope with the demands of university” is not a wise thing to say in an UCAS statement, yet students from non-university backgrounds often do.  If your teachers encouraged you to aim high and you are getting top grades, you will cope. So, try to dwell on your enthusiasm for the course now, not your doubts.

Should I mention my career plans?
Only if  they are directly related to the course and you are fairly specific.  Saying that you want to be a scientist or entrepreneur is not enough. Also, try to show an awareness of the challenges involved in your future career and the qualities you bring to it.

I am applying for several different courses. How much should my statement focus on the Oxbridge one?
Not too much, or this may alienate other course leaders.  The best strategy here is to create a broader profile of your strengths and interests first. Then name a couple of different academic areas which therefore appeal to you, with reference to specific courses. Ideally, their subject areas should not be too far apart!
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* - As Oxbridge entrance rules frequently change, applicants need to read the current, 2014 edition of this guide. The alleged downloads of this book sometimes offered online are at best extracts of old. outdated editions. Avoid!