1. Applications to Oxford and Cambridge
Victoria Saunders
Oxbridge Tutor
Stamford High School
Geoffrey Brown
Oxbridge Tutor
Stamford School

2. WHAT DO THEY LOOK FOR IN APPLICANTS?
Passion, interest and commitment to the subject
Strong record in examinations
Academic potential to succeed at the highest academic level
Vocational commitment (where appropriate)

3. MYTHS It helps if you captain a sports team Head boys/girls get in
They are looking for all rounders
Alumni connections are needed
It is harder if you are from an independent school
It is easier if you are from an independent school
Interviewers like to play tricks

4. SELECTION CRITERIA Admissions decisions are based on:
A level (or equivalent) grades and subject combinations
AS grades and (Cambridge) unit marks
GCSE grades
UCAS school/college reference
UCAS personal statement
Submitted work (where requested)
Test results (where applicable)
Interview performance

5. Examinations Appropriate subject combinations
A levels: predicted or achieved grades
Other post-16 examination systems
AS unit scores (Cambridge)
GCSEs
Profile of an ‘average’ Oxbridge applicant:
GCSE: 5-8 A*s
AS: 92% across three most relevant, or best, subjects

6. APTITUDE TESTS How do they use aptitude tests?
To inform about ability not otherwise revealed in examinations
In the event that interviews ‘malfunction’
In advance of interview: e.g. BMAT, LNAT, HAT & PAT (Oxford)
At time of interview: e.g. TSA (Cambridge)
More informal tests

7. Interviews Around 75% of applicants are called for interview
Interviews usually take place in December; some Cambridge applicants are called for additional interviews in mid January
Interviews are conducted principally by the preference College (Cambridge), or by the preference College and an additional College (Oxford)
Applicants have 1, 2 or 3 interviews, each lasting minutes, at each College
Interviews are conducted by lecturers and are predominantly academic and subject-focused

8. WHAT DO INTERVIEWERS SEEK?
Genuine subject interest
Appropriateness of chosen course
Enthusiasm for complex and challenging ideas
Clarity of thought and analytical ability
Intellectual flexibility
Vocational or professional commitment (where appropriate)

9. The Standard Offer Cambridge A*AA (Arts) A*A*A (Sciences) Oxford AAA
In both universities lower offers may be made in specific cases, usually for access reasons.
Offers can be higher eg. A*A*A*A for Law at Cambridge

10. UNSUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS
Every year thousands of unsuccessful Oxbridge applicants go on to achieve three or more A grades at A level
The strength of competition makes decisions VERY difficult
The ‘Pool’ (Cambridge)
Feedback is available but limited
Re-application (contact them)
Conditional offers: they are conditional
It is not the best place for many students

11. PROCESS Y11 Make sure GCSEs are the best they can be
Trip to Oxbridge Conference in Lincoln (February)
Start researching courses and A Level subject combinations
Reading
Work experience (where appropriate)

12. PROCESS Y12 Ensure work in Y12 is as good as it can be
Attend introductory talk from admissions tutor in January
Attend Monday lunchtime introductory sessions led by Oxbridge tutors within school
Attend Oxbridge Conference (February)
Read around the subject
Seek out super-curricular opportunities
Attend open days
Research courses and colleges
Draft personal statement
Research entrance tests

13. PROCESS Y13 Finalise UCAS form by 15th October
Work with subject specialist mentor
Attend Monday Oxbridge sessions
Practice interviews within school and with LGS
Continue super-curricular activities and reading
Entrance tests (where appropriate) in early November
Send written work to admissions tutors
Interviews (early December)
Offers/rejections (early Jan)
Confirmation of decision on results day (Aug)

14. Successful candidates 2014

15. More Information
Useful additional information is available in prospectus and on websites at:
Useful books
So you want to go to Oxbridge? Tell me about a banana.
A link to this presentation will be on the Digest