Oxbridge applications webchat: as it happened

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/01/2014 - 16:03

The Telegraph held an Oxbridge applications webchat today (Monday 1st
September) from 2-3.30pm with the head of student recruitment at the
University of Oxford, Caitriona Woolhouse, and Dr Sam Lucy, admissions tutor
at Newnham College, Cambridge. Replay the webchat below and see what was
asked and the answers given.

With the start of the new school term just around the corner, if you’re
planning on going to university next year, now is the time to start thinking
about your application. Particularly if you are applying to Oxbridge.

Compared with other university applications, which have a deadline in January,
if you are aiming for either the University of Oxford or Cambridge, an
earlier deadline applies.

Applications must be sent via Ucas by 6pm on the 15th October 2014, which
means, when school starts this September, it’s important to get the Ucas
process in motion as soon as possible.

There are several elements of the Ucas application form that require time and
effort to complete; not least of all, the personal statement. You will also
need a reference from your school or college, your previous exam grades, and
you will need to pay the application fee before you are able to hit ‘send’.

But what exactly is it that marks out a successful candidate to Oxbridge
admissions? In videos recently released by the University of Cambridge, Mike
Sewell, director of admissions, said that, despite what many people think,
interviewers are not
looking for a “perfect performance”
.

“In the interview we are thinking about whether the person has the right
amount of background knowledge for our courses and whether they will be
successful in our kind of teaching environment,” he said. “To put it in a
nutshell, can they think?”

Competition for places is certainly fierce. According to figures, 17,480
students applied for around 3,100 places at Oxford this year, up 1.5 per
cent in 12 months. While, at Cambridge, a record 16,720 applications were
made – up 3.3 per cent.

With the deadline for applications fast approaching, we held an Oxbridge
applications webchat, giving you the opportunity to put your questions to
the experts.

Worried about what to say in your personal statement, concerned about the
interview stage, wondering what makes an applicant stand out? Reply the
webchat we ran with help from Caitriona Woolhouse, head of student
recruitment at the University of Oxford, and Dr Sam Lucy, admissions tutor
at Newnham College, Cambridge.

Check out our Student
Life
section for more tips and advice

Article references
www.telegraph.co.uk