Mock interviews for Oxbridge English entry
Introduction
The best preparation for a mock interview is to experience being interviewed by someone you don't know, without having first discussed your ideas or personal statement informally. This will give you the most invigorating sense of how you will cope with the 'real' thing and will give you the chance to stand entirely on your own, teaching you to manage your nerves and to see how well you acquit yourself.
Undergoing training with me will enable you to:
test your subject knowledge in an environment that reflects the Oxbridge interview process;
develop and hone your interview technique;
gain confidence in expressing yourself cogently under pressure.
If you are in the position of applying to read English at Oxbridge, you have already set yourself high standards, and I will be much better placed to tailor my feedback and guidance to your needs if I can first see what you are capable of without my input.
About me
I graduated from the University of Oxford with a First Class degree in English Language and Literature;
I gained a Masters degree with Distinction from the Open University;
I am a qualified teacher of English at Secondary School level;
I have nearly twenty years of experience of working at leading independent schools in the UK;
I have a track record of successfully supporting Oxbridge candidates, dating back to 2007.
What working with me will involve
The interview process will reflect the current Oxbridge English format, outlined below;
At the end of each interview, you will receive 15 minutes of verbal feedback;
Within 24 hours of the final interview, you will also receive a detailed written report which highlights strengths, areas for improvement, and guidance as to how to proceed.
What happens at an Oxbridge interview
Interview One: Unseen Extract
You will join a video call and will be sent an unseen extract, usually a poem, via email;
You will have 30 minutes to annotate this text, during which time the interviewer will be present as a silent invigilator;
You will then begin your interview, which will last around 30 minutes.
Interview Two: Personal Statement +
This video call will last for around 30 minutes;
The interview will focus on a detailed exploration of your personal statement, as well as on wider questions that test your capacity to think on-the-spot.
What will be required from you
Prior to your first interview (at least 48 hours), you should send the following documents and details:
your chosen course and college;
a copy of your personal statement;
a list of texts and literary theories which you might have covered so far in your study of English;
details of other relevant reading or study (for example, in another discipline).
Pricing
Main Package: £300
The main package includes two one-to-one interview sessions, following which verbal and written feedback will be given, as outlined above in What working with me will involve.
Follow-up Package: £150
Once you have received the feedback given in the Main Package, you may wish to book further sessions in order to develop your skills and confidence.
Booking and Enquiries
To make an enquiry, please contact me here.