Athena Stockwell www.oxfordgec.com Oxford Global Education Consultancy
The 3 key things that Oxford and Cambridge Universities look for
King’s College, Cambridge is consistently ranked in the top 5 Cambridge colleges by the Tompkins Table
5pm on the 15th of October is the deadline for Oxbridge applications.
It is also the deadline for students applying to many other universities if their subject is medicine, dentistry or veterinary medicine (some science courses also have the 15th of October as their deadline so do check!)
Officially UCAS states, “You can still apply after the deadline but your application won’t be guaranteed to get equal consideration”.
I advise my students NEVER to miss this deadline! Why make it harder on yourself? More information on the deadline can be found at:
15 October deadline: applying on time | Undergraduate | UCAS
What exactly does it take to be accepted by Oxford or Cambridge University?
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PERSEVERANCE
Many people will say that being academically gifted is enough.
They are wrong!
The fact is that all candidates applying to either Oxford or Cambridge have to show that they are exceedingly bright.
Being clever, however, is not enough.
Candidates need to be seen as hard-working.
They need to demonstrate through grades, and predicted grades, that they have used their God-given intelligence to excel in their academic studies.
This is also why both Oxford and Cambridge are impressed by musical and sporting achievements and charitable endeavours.
All of these take blood, sweat and tears.
Laziness is definitely out. Perseverance is in.
The key then is not simply to be extremely intelligent if you never actually use your brain apart from on your social media posts.
I am aware of the irony of writing a blog about this…
. PASSION
Many people say that enthusiasm for your chosen degree subject or course is not vital.
They are wrong!
Given that all candidates applying to Oxford and Cambridge Universities have excellent grades, or are at least predicted such grades, there is that factor X that is sought.
What is factor X?
Well it certainly has nothing to do with Simon Cowell!
It is simply a candidate’s sheer unadulterated passion for their chosen subject or course.
This is the kind of enthusiasm that is difficult to fake.
The main reason Oxford and Cambridge Universities interview all candidates to whom they may potentially offer places, is to gauge the level of passion and commitment of students who might seem identical on paper.
I remember the first tutorial with one of my students who later went on to study Biochemistry at Oxford.
She was an immensely likeable girl but was unsure if her grades were good enough.
I was reduced to tears, in that initial tutorial, by her enormous love for the subject.
I was convinced that, if the enthusiasm I had witnessed was detected by Oxford, she would have an excellent chance of obtaining a place.
She not only got in, but went on to postgraduate studies in that subject. It had not been an act…
. POTENTIAL
Many parents and students think these two universities are only interested in what you know.
They are wrong!
I have spent many years preparing students from around the world for Oxbridge applications.
I have carefully read the websites of both universities and the websites dedicated to the separate subjects and courses, as well as those for specific colleges.
I have spoken extensively with friends who teach at either Oxford or Cambridge University.
One thing is crystal clear:
The people interviewing you care much more about HOW you think, and HOW your brain works, than WHAT you have managed to cram into it.
This is why, during an interview, a candidate might be asked a question they think is rather strange.
Oxford and Cambridge are looking for great thinkers and not merely people with marvellous memories.
There are, naturally, other important issues to think about if you are applying to Oxford or Cambridge (or indeed any British or American university).
For your free list of the top ten things universities look for please email me at athena@oxfordgec.com
