I’ve recently finished my Oxford degree, ask me anything!

[Bewitchedx]

Hello everyone!

I wanted to answer any questions that you might have about Oxford University —applications, the actual doing of the degree, student life, etc. The context for this is that I’ve seen a few questions on here of the ‘is an Oxbridge degree worth it?’ ilk.

Well, punting is more Cambridge really

@DillonPanthersTexas

I worked my effing arse off, had a really shoddy secondary education, and was hospitalized during my degree for mental health problems, so yes I’m bragging for having succeeded and “overcome the odds”, and I’m also trying to provide some advice for parents who might want to support their children through the process.

Do you feel (in the light of current politics!) that going to Oxford could actually disadvantage you in any way? Through people's assumptions?

This is an interesting thread, because in some ways I wish Oxbridge had even been a remote possibility for me, but I was off to university In the early 1980s when to do study my subject there would have meant I needed O Level Latin, which obviously my state comprehensive didn't offer. So Oxbridge was well and truly beyond the reach of so many of us. As it turned out, I studied at Kings College London and had an amazing time, so I don't regret anything really.

I just think Boris and his pals have done Oxbridge no favours and I wonder whether this will reinforce peoples opinions on these universities in a negative way

@Arieldysney

Good luck to your daughter! HSPS looks like an awesome course. I think exploring your subject outside the classroom should begin as soon as possible really! But I think applicants often make the mistake of reading things that they feel they ought to read rather than the things that really excite them -- in short, read books that you actually want to read! At the final dinner with my tutors a few weeks ago when we were all reminiscing, my tutor remembered how excited I got about a book that I’d read during the interview, so I think things like that really stick with them. In that same vein, I think that at interviews a genuine enthusiasm, potential and willingness to engage are more important than a really polished performance.

My son has an offer to study biochemistry at Oxford this Autumn. He only applied because of pressure from school, I think his heart was more set on staying a lot closer to home. He got an offer though and has firmed it despite being still unsure, his thinking being that even if he gets the grades he needs but decides against Oxford , he’s pretty likely to be accepted by our local uni.

I’m worried about so many things. Will he stand out like a sore thumb with his geordie accent? Will he fall in love with Oxford and stay there after uni? Will he be able to have any kind of social life? When will he be allocated a college ?(he’s got an ‘open’ offer-not sure that’s the right term?) Will he have to share a room? Will he be able to access catering in his college?

Aaaargh! Any reassuring words of wisdom op?

@missdemeanors
That’s interesting. That may well be possible - I suppose it depends on the particular prejudices of the employer. One reason why I do think that Oxbridge could disadvantage you is that the workload doesn’t leave a huge amount of time for internships, extracurriculars, masters applications or jobs, or indeed, any of the things that might make you employable in the current jobs market, so that’s a thought.

@ScarlettDarling Firstly, congratulations to your son! It’s difficult to predict the future: it may well be that he falls in love with Oxford like many students do but he may also come to resent it — every experience is unique and there’s as many different experiences as students. Ultimately, your son should go where he thinks he will be happy, as trite as that sounds! He should have a good think and draw up a list of the pros and cons. I did miss home a lot whilst I was at Oxford, but I sneakily organised my tutorials and classes so that I had nothing on Monday and Friday, and I was able to get the train and spend a long weekend at home in Manchester.

Oxford is a really unique experience, but most students have a really full social life so that shouldn’t be a worry. And I wouldn’t worry about the accent - the posh southern accent is definitely overrepresented in Oxford, but there’s still a lot of different accents there. One of my course-mates had a strong Geordie accent and I think she was one of the most popular people in college! It’s unlikely that he’ll share a room, most college offer largely single occupancy rooms, and all colleges as far as I know offer full breakfast lunch and dinner catering. And I’m not sure about the timings of college allocation to be honest!

My DD has an offer for autumn to study (??read) engineering, but still needs good A level results in August. Assuming she passes the A levels do you have any top tips for her? She is coming from a bog standard comp so no idea how she will fit in socially or academically. Her DGM started taking her on trips to Oxford when she was quite young whereas I was a bit against it thinking she wouldn't fit in with public school kids, however I think my views are very outdated from what I hear - is that your experience?

Congratulations OP. What a great achievement.
@DillonPanthersTexas perhaps you could contemplate the motto associated with your user name.....Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose....

No questions from me just wanted to say well done and congratulations!

How do you go about taking a day trip to Oxford? Where do you go, what do you see? Can you just walk around the university and go into the buildings?

We did a day trip to Oxford. The university has museums which are free to visit. We found a tour group, touts? Available everywhere. They can take you into some of the famous colleges.

Ah ok. Should have thought really, not used to universities being tourist attractions 😄

How did you choose which college to apply to? DS has Jesus, Worcester, Magdalen and Corpus on his list which are all quite different in terms of size and feel.

@Bewitchedx Thank you very much for starting this thread. My DC is undecided between St John's and Magdalene for European+Oriental language studies. We tried to find the feedback online, but there is not much. What is your view on them? thank you

With an open offer you will hear which college you get after the a level results.

What do you think actually got you in? Stellar GCSE and A level results? Teacher who believed in you? Recognition of your school- what experience did they have in getting kids in? Points for this or that due to your own personal situation or your home or school location etc ? Extra curricular stuff you did? Did you have a year out doing something amazing?

what careers advice did you get while you were there? Was your course vocational so you already know what you’ll do for a job?

And how do we get to visit Oxbridge soon colleges (other than to wow at the outside of the buildings) as a normal person with young kids? Is that even possible?