Wadham College, Oxford
Are you getting nervous as that scary date approaches? Knowing what
to expect and making a few preparations will calm you down. Googling your prospective
interviewers is definitely worth it. Not only will they seem less like daunting
strangers when you meet, but a special interest mentioned can suggest topics
that might come up. Don’t, though, try to plough through an interviewer’s book at
this stage. It may still be well above your head anyway.
Instead, focus on practical things. If your Oxford or Cambridge interviews involve
an overnight stay, pack something that will take your mind off the challenges ahead. For some people, that will be a DVD of the
latest thriller, for others Rescue Remedy or their favourite chocs.
Once up, try to enjoy meeting fellow candidates (who may become fellow students), rather than just viewing them as potential rivals. Some will have read books or explored subject areas you have never even heard off, but don’t worry now. Interview questions can often be answered by drawing on a range of materials.
If a personage or term mentioned really baffles you, check it out quickly on Wikipedia, but don’t spend hours trying to catch up. You want to stay fresh enough to display your own knowledge and engage with new ideas.
Still worried that the interviewers’ questions may strike you dumb? Do remember that this is not their aim. They’re just experts in search of students suited to the much loved course they teach.
Most will try hard to make you feel welcome, but don’t be put off by one who seems unfriendly or glum. It does not mean that speccy creature hates your accent, school or cutting-edge haircut. The poor soul may just be exhausted after interviewing a dozen students in one day. Other great minds, however well-meaning, just lack the social skills to put a stranger at ease. Either way, they will still be taking in everything you say and discuss it with fellow interviewers later.
So, keep relating to what you are being asked, rather than fretting about whether you are liked. The purpose of interview questions is not to trip you up, but to enable you to show what you have read, learnt and understood. Can you explain events, analyse texts or calculate outcomes? Are you good at logical thinking?
Once up, try to enjoy meeting fellow candidates (who may become fellow students), rather than just viewing them as potential rivals. Some will have read books or explored subject areas you have never even heard off, but don’t worry now. Interview questions can often be answered by drawing on a range of materials.
If a personage or term mentioned really baffles you, check it out quickly on Wikipedia, but don’t spend hours trying to catch up. You want to stay fresh enough to display your own knowledge and engage with new ideas.
Still worried that the interviewers’ questions may strike you dumb? Do remember that this is not their aim. They’re just experts in search of students suited to the much loved course they teach.
Most will try hard to make you feel welcome, but don’t be put off by one who seems unfriendly or glum. It does not mean that speccy creature hates your accent, school or cutting-edge haircut. The poor soul may just be exhausted after interviewing a dozen students in one day. Other great minds, however well-meaning, just lack the social skills to put a stranger at ease. Either way, they will still be taking in everything you say and discuss it with fellow interviewers later.
So, keep relating to what you are being asked, rather than fretting about whether you are liked. The purpose of interview questions is not to trip you up, but to enable you to show what you have read, learnt and understood. Can you explain events, analyse texts or calculate outcomes? Are you good at logical thinking?
While all this goes on, remember the two key interview skills: giving
yourself time to think before you reply to a question is one. Answering the
question actually asked (rather than the one you would like it to have been) is
the other. Also, interview questions are meant to be hard, so don’t despair if
you got the odd answer wrong.
For detailed, last minute advice, check out OXBRIDGE ENTRANCE: THE REAL RULES*, still available by one-day delivery from Amazon.
Good luck!
_____________________________________________________________
* - As Oxbridge entrance rules frequently change, applicants need to read the current, 2014 edition of this guide. The alleged downloads of this book are at best extracts of old. outdated editions. Avoid!
For detailed, last minute advice, check out OXBRIDGE ENTRANCE: THE REAL RULES*, still available by one-day delivery from Amazon.
Good luck!
_____________________________________________________________
* - As Oxbridge entrance rules frequently change, applicants need to read the current, 2014 edition of this guide. The alleged downloads of this book are at best extracts of old. outdated editions. Avoid!
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