“Hot Tips”

A collection of useful tips, in no particular order, suggested by Oxbridge offer holders:

1. Love your subject.

2. Start preparing early in Year 12. If you’re not prepared to work hard for this application Oxbridge or Russell Group universities is not for you, because the workload when you are there will be beyond you.

3. Have a UNI PREP document/notepad/lever arch file where you collate all relevant information to use for the personal statement/interview

4. Read what interests you. Ask for advice but do not read what everyone else reads. Originality and flexibility of thought is key.

5. Expect the unexpected. Lists of what applicants were asked for in previous years only give you an idea of what you will be asked. You will not be asked the same!

6. Read deeply and engage critically with everything you read.

7. Read subject specific blogs and practise discussing your reaction. Make mini presentations to yourself/your parents.

8. Every time you learn a new idea try to put it in the context of another idea. Making these links shows you can think laterally.

9. Admissions Tests. Do them under even tighter time constraints than the real thing. Go through the spec really carefully as there may be areas you are not familiar with.

10. If there are things you do not understand go ask your teachers!

11. EPQ Project. Do original research, not just rehash what other people have already discovered! Something off syllabus. Choose something which really interests you and which you can explain enthusiastically to another person who know nothing about the subject.

12. Be a member of a national organisation in your subject.

13. Attend lectures (and make critical notes)

14. Do Olympiads.

15. Do a taster course.

16. Make sure you go on an open day and make good notes.

17. Subscribe to a subject specific periodical/read those in the library.

18. Do relevant work experience, taster course, summer school.

19. The more you read the faster you read, so read a lot. (useful for Admissions Tests too!)

20. Apply to a college where there is an OH doing your subject and arrange to meet.

21. Do not write anything on the SAQ you have not fully researched!

22. Send up good pieces of written work and revisit those thoroughly before your interview.

23. Try to see connections between your A-level subjects, how your other subjects dovetail with the subject you wish to study at university.

24. How do your hobbies match your subject? Do you actually live your subject?

25. Have a very good reason and lots of proof that you are serious about taking up a subject new to you. What have you actually done to prepare for this?

Interview

1. Always speak up in class, challenge others and enjoy being challenged/being prepared to change your opinion. Think about a question from different standpoints.

2. Discuss your subject with anyone prepared to listen (or not!) Be used to having your viewpoint challenged and practise being flexible when challenged. How teachable are you?

3. Have an application “buddy” you can exchange ideas with and do practice papers with.

4. Present your EPQ Project to your peers and be prepared for lots of questions.

5. Love your subject and convey that to the interviewers whose life it is!

6. Try to relax. Be yourself.

7. This is your first tutorial, not an inquisition. They are trying to see how you think and how teachable you are in this educational framework. Think out loud, show how you think.

8. Show your interest in specific areas of the Ox/Camb/Russell Group course if relevant.

9. Make sure you know your personal statement. (Even down to which pieces you are preparing for e.g. Grade 8 and which composers you like. This shows you are genuine!) Comb through every assertion you have made and write down justifications of those assertions.

10. Revise all A Level material to date.

11. Have a couple of topics you really have researched well.

12. Look up the speciality of the people who will be interviewing you (but don’t be too creepy)

13. Keep up to date with current affairs in your subject. Read e.g. the International New York Times.

14. Read other things, e.g. fiction, particularly if it ties in with your subject. The interviewers want to see that you are not scared of books!

15. Read other articles etc you have not mentioned on the personal statement. This shows you have not just read for the application!

16. Use the School Library! Fantastic resources.

17. Think why Ox/Camb/Russell Group? Why this course? WHY? Why will you fit in here better than another applicant?

18. Ask your adviser which Year 13 have accessed the place you are now chasing.

29. Don’t prepare up to the last minute. Get a good sleep.