Oxbridge a possibility? If not, how can I make it one?

<p>Hi again everyone - thanks so much for your responses.</p>

<p>Some updates on my status: my SAT-R scores are 800s in Writing/CR, and 650 in Math. My SAT-S scores are a 790 in Literature and a 680 in U.S. History (I was disappointed about that last one). I received 5s on both my English Literature and English Language APs. Royal Holloway (University of London) and Edinburgh have both contacted me with Unconditional Offers. </p>

<p>Here’s another question: if my SAT-S scores aren’t as I high as I might like, and I only have the two relevant APs, do you think it’s still possible for me to get an Oxford interview? How much does the ELAT count for? Also, any tips on how to study for that.</p>

<p>Thanks to all who replied!</p>

<p>ELAT is huge, as is the review of the written work you submitted. Really, as has been said before, the SAT/AP part is really a gateway: once you are through it, the other pieces (ELAT, submitted papers, interview) are more important. I know that waiting for interview invitations is hard- are you on the ox applicants board over at the student room? that is where your fellow travelers are</p>

<p><a href=“Official Oxford Applicants 2015 Entry, including Interview Chat - The Student Room”>Official Oxford Applicants 2015 Entry, including Interview Chat - The Student Room;

<p>Come back & let us know if you get invited for an interview- and congrats on the unconditional offers! </p>

<p>Thanks for the link, I’ll check that out! </p>

<p>The only thing I’m really worried about is that the international requirements call for three 5s on APs or 700+ on SAT Subject tests… I have two 5s on APs but I didn’t get a 700+ on the SAT Subject test, and I’m wondering how badly that will affect my chances.</p>

<p>You have the numbers; it’s all down to the ELAT and the interview. Do you know yet if you got one?</p>

<p>interview invites won’t go out for another week or so</p>

<p>Hey there everyone -</p>

<p>Thanks as always for your insight and support. I am happy to report that I have so far received unconditional offers from Edinburgh and Royal Holloway, as well as a conditional offer from University of Manchester (I need a 5 in AP U.S. History). I’m still waiting to hear back from King’s College London and (obviously) Oxford, but I am delighted to say that I took the ELAT and did get called for an Oxford interview: I will be flying to England next week to attend an interview for English Literature at Exeter College. (: </p>

<p>Obviously I’m very excited, but also nervous. Does anyone have any advice on how to do well on the interview? Also, does anyone know how common getting an interview for English Literature is? In other words, does this mean good things for my chances, or am I still more or less in the same situation as before–that is to say, hoping for the best, but still very unlikely to be accepted?</p>

<p>Thanks again! </p>

<p>Congrats, lacklusterlovers! Having made the ELAT cut, you (and everybody else) pretty much start the interviews with a re-set counter. In general, Oxford interviews 3 people for every place, so you have moved waaaaayyyyy down the line. Obviously, 2 out of 3 <em>don’t</em> get the offer, but the key thing here is that they only interview people that they think are Oxford material. SO, celebrate that!</p>

<p>For the interview, the biggest tip is the simplest: breathe. Slow down, think about what you are asked, don’t be afraid to ask questions or to stand your ground on a point. If (when…) you are pushed on a point, ask yourself what they might be looking for. For example, you will almost certainly get a blind reading before you go on. If you get the same question asked a couple of different ways, they are probably pushing you to look for something in the text you haven’t mentioned. Breathe, then think, what are the underlying pieces? what do I know about this sort of thing? On the other hand, if you make a point and get push back, don’t be afraid to stand your ground - but give evidence. Do your best to <em>enjoy</em> it - and don’t be psyched out by the one or two prats who will be showing off how clever they are, how great their connections are, etc. Only a few of them get in!</p>

<p>In addition to collegemom3717’s good advice above, [this</a> blog post by an American student of English literature at Oxford](<a href=“days of reading — Hi! I got an interview invite from oxford a few...”>days of reading — Hi! I got an interview invite from oxford a few...) has some first-hand interview wisdom. I believe if you look through the relevant tags, you’ll see other questions she’s answered on the Oxford application process.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>Great link Ghostt! lacklusterlovers, that blog post sounds exactly like my D1 (except different subject) and many of the other students I know who have run the gauntlet. </p>

<p>Hey everyone - just an update. I had two Oxford interviews yesterday. The first one really did not seem to go well (the tutor didn’t seem to like me or what I was saying, and kept on telling me things about the poem I had analyzed that I thought I had been talking about, which means I probably wasn’t communicating my ideas clearly enough), but the second one seemed to be a lot better.</p>

<p>Last night, the colleges met and some students were called for more interviews with other colleges. I was not called for a third interview. Is this a good sign, or a really bad one? I know that getting an interview at a different college could mean that I was deferred from my first choice (Exeter), but I’m also afraid that not getting any more interviews at all could mean that I performed poorly and am no longer being considered at all.</p>

<p>Thoughts? </p>

<p>There is really no way to tell what it means. Truly: it is neither good nor bad. Most people are not called for a third interview. As you gathered, what happened last night was re-distribution, and that is the usual reason for a third interview. The other reason is uncertainty or disagreement between the interviewers. </p>

<p>So now you just wait (and go to G&Ds before you leave Oxford, of course!). And then come back & tell us what happened! </p>

<p>(and btw, getting to interview at Oxford for English as an American is particularly good going)</p>

<p>I’ve heard that sometimes colleges like to parade around candidates who are particularly impressive–or to arrange for candidates who they think meet the average standard for acceptance to be interviewed elsewhere in order to ensure all colleges are using the same selection criteria. Those could also be reasons for extra interviews.</p>

<p>In any case, getting an extra interview could be either good or bad, but it means you’re not out of the running yet. Getting no extra interview could be either good or bad, but the result is already out of your hands.</p>

<p>So. Take a walk around Oxford, go home, and wait for the result. Please update us! And good luck :slight_smile: I admit your first interview sounds discouraging, but you never know what the tutor was actually thinking. Some of them seem to hate all applicants.</p>

<p>Not being interviewed again just means they feel they know enough about you to make a decision. </p>

<p>And don’t worry too much about your first interview. I had a horrendous first interview when I applied to Oxford 10 years ago. Just awful. The second one went far better (probably because I was convinced I had been rejected by that point, so was more relaxed!). Anyway, I got in. I know that’s only anecdotal, but one less-than-stellar interview won’t necessarily sink you IMO.</p>

<p>That’s hugely comforting! Thank you. I’m extremely anxious at the minute (especially because I haven’t heard from King’s College London yet, and I applied two months ago!), but I’m sure everything will work out one way or another. Especially because I love Edinburgh and I’m already in there. Thanks to everyone for all the help and support, and I’ll let you all know the results come January!</p>

Hey everyone -
Thrilled to report that I have received an offer to read English Literature at the University of Oxford. The only conditions are a certified copy of my high school diploma and declared qualifications. Thank you all so much for your continued support and insights; your responses these past view months has been truly invaluable. Words cannot express my gratitude.

Yay, I’m very happy for you! Congratulations and enjoy Oxford :slight_smile:

Well done! I hope you have a great time at Oxford.

Congrats! and thanks for coming back to share the good news.