tayberry for oxbridge

[TealDeer020202]

is this tutoring company reputable for say mock interviews or Personal statement help: www.tayberry.org.uk

Specifically for history at oxbridge??

I’ve no idea but the personal statement really isn’t that important for Oxbridge. They select for interview based on GCSE grades, A level grades/predictions and aptitude tests. Supercurriculars are more important and should be included in the personal statement but the actual personal statement really doesn’t need to be a work of genius.

Being over prepared for interview with learned answers is worse than being under prepared. Everything you need is online (interview videos from the university and sample questions). Tutors want to see how students think, apply knowledge, argue their case and rethink their answers when they are challenged. It’s fine to be wrong! 😂

Please don't waste your money. There is a huge amount of info online at both Oxford & Cambridge on how to apply. Attend an open day, talk to the students and staff. See if your DC is eligible for any master classes or taster days. They won't get any advantage by throwing money at a tutoring business.

we want someone to simulate an interview/tutorial environment - not to memorize 'perfect' answers but just to see what it would be like and have someone guide him through the process i.e. learning about comparative historiography

Why ask then?

Seriously, if they need to be tutored to try to get a place, they should get considering if they will thrive in that environment if they are onebofvthe lucky few. There is nowhere to hide. DD's interviews were not the sort of thing she could have prepped for & they are deliberately intended to be so (fortunately, as she had zero prep, practice interviews or personal statement help). You really don't need it.

...they should be considering if they will thrive in that environment if they are one of the few lucky enough to get an offer....

Apologies for annoying typos.

You may find this guide to interviews for parents useful:

https://newsletter.admin.ox.ac.uk/q/1cHdjjPuZbbI/wv

Along with this on preparing for tests:

https://newsletter.admin.ox.ac.uk/q/1cHdgE4ighIr/wv

They can't ask any questions which would put anyone at an advantage or disadvantage. For example, DD had no prior knowledge of PPE until she started at Oxford. She flew through the admissions test and was asked questions in her 3 interviews which showed how she thought rather than what she knew. No extra prep necessary.

honestly DS does this all the time - he always wants tutoring and usually I sort of avoid it unless he really presses it. I think its because his friends are highly academic straight 9s sort of types he wasn't happy with his seven 9s for example...

His history teacher did tell him he had the "LSe vibe because he worked hard and did nothing else"(a backhanded compliment we thought) but even then Oxbridge is the pie in the sky i suppose

His school is a decent indy, sends single digits to oxbridge every year but is ultimately more sporty/musical. maybe will do 1-2 mock interviews and send you a past paper for the admissions test. I mean he wants something more substantial - I know he reads a lot but he wants someone to guide him/advise a 'application strategy' or 'PS strategy' or just interview technique teaching whatever the heck that is...