'So, why Oxbridge?' - How to Impress your Interviewer
'So, why Oxford/Cambridge?'
It's a question you've spent hours pondering as you wrote your personal statement, chose your universities, and considered your future career path. You might have composed draft after draft as you prepare for your interview, before eventually losing all recollection of why you wanted to go to university in the first place. And indeed, it's a pretty important question, not just because you'll likely be asked it once during interview (at least), but also because you should be clear with yourself about why you want to take the plunge into Oxbridge life.
We know it isn't always easy to articulate a great answer that stands out from the crowd (for the right reasons!) and impresses your interviewer. That's why we've decided to release the OTC's top 5 tips on how to nail this question, guiding you to interview success. For more general hints on acing your interview, check out our previous blog post! Before you go any further, why not remind yourself what the universities themselves have to say about the interview process and purpose - here are the links for Oxford and Cambridge.
1) Have a Goal in Mind
Many students are told that questions of this nature count for nothing at the Oxbridge interview, and that it is only your academic prowess which is being scrutinised. Indeed, it's pretty unlikely the interviewer will stop the discussion and hand you an offer on the spot - even with a 10/10, OTC-approved answer! This leaves many students scratching their heads as to exactly what the point of this question is. At the OTC, we believe that it represents an excellent opportunity for you to set the tone for the rest of the interview, signpost your academic potential, and prove that you are a high calibre candidate right from the get-go. As you are preparing your answer, ensure your response does all these things, and you won’t go to far wrong.
2) Maintain an Academic Focus
The idea here is to avoid becoming bogged down in extraneous details. Your interviewer doesn't really care about how much you were struck by the beauty of Oxford's architecture (they are an academic, not the town planner!). They don't care that you're a seasoned musician who can bang out Rachmaninoff for the University Orchestra. And they CERTAINLY don't care about how excited you are to 'soak up the Oxford nightlife scene, bro'.
That's not to say any of these justifications would count against you, but it's important to use your answer time as effectively as possible, by cramming in all the juicy academic goodness you can.
3) Focus on the Tutorial/Supervision System
The tutorial and supervision systems are exactly the same - the former is the Oxford term, and the latter it's Cambridge equivalent. They refer to the one-on-one (or sometimes two-on-one) teaching that is unique to Oxbridge. These sessions are opportunities to explore your subject with world leaders in the field, and engage in dynamic academic discourse. Your interviewers will (hopefully!) end up as tutors in about a years time, so it is absolutely critical to explain why you are well-suited to such a style of learning, and why this teaching format excites you.
4) Explore some Unique Features of your Course
In addition to offering insight into your suitability for the Oxbridge teaching system, you should address some specific features of the course that interest you. It is key that these are things that are unique to your chosen university: perhaps a module that interests you, or a tutor whose work you find inspiring. This is a fantastic opportunity to make links to your existing academic experiences, and ensure your answer is unique. In addition, it signals to the tutors that you have done your reading regarding the course itself, and haven't just applied for the prestige of the Oxbridge name.
5) Establish a Clear Structure
A weak structure is the fastest way to make a great answer poor. Just as you wouldn't build a house without cement and foundations, your answer needs an overall structure binding it together. At the OTC, we advise you to tackle each point in turn (typically 3 points is a good number), starting with your most pertinent comments. First, focus on your suitability for the tutorial format, then your interest in relevant features of your course, before finally moving on to any other key justifications you have for studying at Oxbridge - it’s OK to get a little more creative with this third point!
Follow these top 5 tips, and you'll get your interview off to a fabulous start! To receive more (subject specific) interview preparation, please contact us directly. From Theoretical Physics to Theology, the OTC have it covered! Book your free 10-minute consultation today so we can devise the interview preparation package that is right for you, to make sure that you get that offer.