Oxbridge interviews

[GiveMeStrength31]

Hello- does anyone have any experience with the Oxbridge Interview advice companies which help prepare candidates with mock interviews/workshops? Just having a quick google and they charge a small fortune.... anyone rate them or heard good things? Thanks in advance

I do not think DS took it seriously but a neighbour told him the story !

Well Irma if your DS was Hertford and the two grumpy women started their career in terrifying History interviewees at Balliol, swinging down Turl St on their way, then it sounds very much as though they're making a slow but steady progress towards the Magdalen/ St Hilda's end of the city....

Justanothermile an invite must be due any second now.

Justanothermile did you check the spam folder? Sometimes the interview invites is lurking there and the DC does not even realise. I told this to another mum from another group and although she said her DS insisted he looked, she went and checked and lo and behold it was there! Good luck hopefully it will be soon, this really seems unfair for your DC!

Goodbye I am grateful DS did not encounter the 2 grumpy women - I wonder if we did a whip round we could get CCTV / hand held cameras to see where they are installing themselves next. Ha ha

I suppose in an interview where the interviewers don't speak , breathing is a good thing - just to fill the time

Thanks puzzled, I've seen the reply on the other thread. Finally!!

puzzled 45 is a lot, I'm in awe, Dd is likely to be the only one, but that's fine too. 

Lack of 😁, due to iPad issues.

Justanothermile - I am not sure if “in awe” is the right expression here the pressure on the girls is crazy! Had I had another child, I’d have never put them through an academic hell like this! Too late for this one now Good luck to your DD, if she is the only one, hopefully the school gives her a lot of support! Which college is she applying to and what subject? Sorry you may have mentioned it up thread!

Yes, I can see that side. If there was a parenting manual, I'm sure it would be a best seller, we all feel our way and hope we've got most of it right. The school don't have masses of experience, but seem much better than some of the experiences I've read on here. She's applying for Archeology and Anthropology, at Keble.

I really liked Keble! I was trying to persuade my DD to apply there but she is very strong willed and stuck to what she wanted - Christ Church. Keble is close to the science park, so would have been quite convenient if she got in, but I suppose they should go for where they feel most comfortable at! After all they may end up in an entirely different college altogether. I wish your DD best of luck at the interviews!

Hello ladies,

Just thought I'd put out there that my dd is an interview helper at St John's this year, and so any questions I could text her to try and answer.

That’s nice Christmascards ! So what does she now about what to wear ? Just whatever they like , no ?

Rianna - Sorry question not for me but if DS's experience was anything to go by , something clean and comfortable. He wore a shirt , sweater , dark chinos ( no fashion icon he ) - friend at a different college wore black jeans and sweater. Ds said people were in all sorts of things. I think if it covers your modesty pretty much anything goes.

You can wear whatever you like / feel comfortable and confident in - doubtless the interviewers will . Invite tells you all you need to know and generally specifically states there is no dress code . Layers are likely to be helpful as you may be waiting around in areas of different temperatures .

Thank you . Ds appears nervous. I will try and keep my mouth shut about it all . I wished he had heard from imperial ( I’ve heard some have ?) and I wish he wouldn’t been so keen on oxford ...it worries me as it’s so hard to get in . It’s because of the course , it’s the one that appeals most to him .

Ps what would happen if you’re ill ?

Rianna I don't think Imperial is much easier to get into than Oxford. And Oxford by interviewing can look for potential.

I just came across a website started by two Cambridge students which tell the interview experiences of 700 students. Might this be helpful? I haven't looked at it myself, but it sounds interesting for you.

l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insideuni.org%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR2ZdiVP3qN1oIDAUI70nESdOzTrhUIEBCnjZq9DzSnASwhYuCYvUTQqB0A&h=AT1lXktGXgE5ciJOpVPY8nFzealC4iJWs66ObWvHwJpI6OmM4dbCL8LEhoQsM7FSYIN-gDJno5kEGlVRw6qCglg1XYoevYLvJsXZZHpD32gURdw4oUca9sjZsfofse9Ru57FtDBjzlo

Thank you Clara for the link, that’s really kind of you. Haven’t had a chance to read the website yet, but I’ll take a look tonight, I’m sure there’s good advice for both institutions.

I know Bekabeech - imperial just as hard , and Some have had offers already . So would be nice to have an offer - I know that’s hard as well . Seriously , what happens if you get ill ? there’s a flu going round and it reached our house ... one after the other . So what would happen if you’re not able to go ?

claraschu - think that facebook site is good. Represents how my DDs interview was. Wish we had that.