Gavin's Interview Experience

Gavin Freeguard
Modern History and Politics

"The thought of an Oxford interview can be terrifying after all the exams and all the hard work, a place at one of the world's best universities comes down to a number of interviews with college tutors. As a Joint Schools applicant, I had three interviews: a general interview with a history tutor, an interview with all three history tutors, and an interview with the politics tutor.

In the general interview, I was asked a little about my personal statement, and talked generally about history and politics it was a very friendly and enjoyable interview (as far as interviews can ever be enjoyable). I came out feeling quite pleased, even though I had at one point apparently suggested that Free Trade and anarchy were the same thing!

In the second interview, all three Merton history tutors were present, and I was asked about the work I had submitted. This was probably the most daunting of the three interviews, as some of the questions asked were challenging, and three eminent historians were analysing my answers' (and I apply the term loosely). Despite not knowing who one of the sources I had quoted actually was, and somehow steering the interview onto the subject of the importance of alcohol in British political history, I came out feeling that if it could have gone a lot better, it could also have gone a lot worse!

The politics interview was slightly different. It began with a general chat about why I'd chosen to apply for History and Politics, and I was able to give my opinions on a few contemporary political events (the non-resignation of a minister, I think some things never change). My interviewer then moved onto talking about corruption, and gave me some data to look at which I had to discuss. He then introduced some theoretical concepts, and asked me to relate corruption to these. It was certainly different, and really made me think (although any Oxford interview will make you think, obviously), and probably my best performance of the three.

The number of interviews you'll get will differ from subject to subject, as will the form in English, for instance, you may be given a poem to read beforehand. You may also be handed over to another college for interview, which can induce sheer panic in students who've been given an interview (oh no! I've not got into this college!') and those who haven't (oh no! They're not interested in me!'). Don't read anything into it people who have been interviewed at other colleges have still got into their first choice college, and not being given a second interview doesn't mean you haven't got in (I only had my scheduled interviews at Merton). While two to three interviews is the norm, I once heard of one girl who had eleven at various colleges and she eventually got in. Everyone's experience will be unique (just like everyone else's).

While you're at interview, there will be lots of helpful undergraduate students to help you settle in and remember, they are there to help you, so if you want to know something, ask them. Despite the fact that you'll be competing against some of them, there will also be a menagerie of equally terrified interview candidates. Although it is important that you focus on your interview, make friends and take some time to relax; some of the people I met at interview are now among my best friends at Merton. Just never play Monopoly against an Economics and Management student it may knock your confidence (and your virtual bank balance).

The interviews can be tough: they are, after all, designed to find the best candidates for one of the world's best universities. At the same time, though, the experience is a pleasurable one, and even people who haven't got in found the opportunity to discuss their work with leading specialists in their field stimulating and memorable.

A few pieces of advice for interview:

  1. If you've submitted written work, make sure you know it backwards (i.e. if you quote an individual, know who they are). Also ensure that it's sent in on time, and that you follow the rules to the letter (for instance, under no circumstance should you rewrite your essay taking into consideration your teacher's corrections).
  2. Strike a balance between working and relaxing driving yourself mad through isolationism is probably not conducive to a successful interview performance (but nor is hitting Filth', a delightful Oxford 'watering hole' and popular dance venue, every/any night).
  3. If you're given an interview, you must have the capability to get in but then so does everyone else at interview. Nobody has a God-given right to get in, so don't act like you have. Be friendly if you get in, you will be spending a lot of time with your tutors (and the other successful candidates), so you've nothing to gain from being excessively confrontational or awkward. But feel free to challenge your tutors if you don't agree with them.
  4. Although it is difficult to prepare for an Oxford interview, I was lucky to have a very supportive sixth-form college and Oxbridge coordinator, who was able to set up a mock interview for me. We also had a discussion group, where people became used to looking at problems in different ways and doing this in the presence of others. Such discussion may not sound like much, but it's quite easy to do, and the difference in confidence and analytical thought was clearly visible. Ask your college or school for help, or simply get together with the other applicants and practice interview technique.
  5. Be open to new concepts and ideas, and try to look at the problem from different angles. Don't close your mind to anything.
  6. If your interview goes badly, don't worry! Tutors also consider your personal statement and previous academic record. If it's your first interview which doesn't go so well, you will have others in which to redeem' yourself.
  7. Try to stay relatively calm, and don't stress out too much! Although a lot is riding on the interview, it's not the end of the world if it goes badly, or if you don't get in. If you're unsuccessful in securing a place, don't worry if you're even being considered for a place at Oxford, you'll be fine wherever you go.

I hope that all this helps, and I wish you the very best of luck in applying to, and hopefully securing a place at, Merton or another college in the University."