Oblate ellipsoids? By Henry Mance and Daniel Sokol As the popularity of The History Boys shows, the admissions process for the UK's elite universities continues to perplex and fascinate. So, as applicants prepare themselves for the new interview season, does the process deserve its mythic status and is there a recipe for interview success?
Oblate ellipsoids? By Henry Mance and Daniel Sokol As the popularity of The History Boys shows, the admissions process for the UK's elite universities continues to perplex and fascinate. So, as applicants prepare themselves for the new interview season, does the process deserve its mythic status and is there a recipe for interview success?
Oxbridge interviewers are notorious for asking bizarre questions: How many airplanes are flying above Oxford at this moment? Can a slug think? What shape is an egg?
Oxbridge interviewers are notorious for asking bizarre questions: How many aeroplanes are flying above Oxford at this moment? Can a slug think? What shape is an egg?
The idea is not to elicit the correct answer - roughly oblate ellipsoids in the egg case - but that candidates should show clear reasoning. What does it mean to think? What "equipment" is needed to think? Do molluscs have such equipment?
The idea is not to elicit the correct answer - roughly oblate ellipsoids in the egg case - but that candidates should show clear reasoning. What does it mean to think? What "equipment" is needed to think? Do molluscs have such equipment?
The surprises may not end with the questions. Some applicants have been caught unawares by eccentric interviewers. One applicant was welcomed into the room by a scruffy philosophy tutor wearing no shoes. His big toe was protruding through one of the many holes in his socks.
The surprises may not end with the questions. Some applicants have been caught unawares by eccentric interviewers. One applicant was welcomed into the room by a scruffy philosophy tutor wearing no shoes. His big toe was protruding through one of the many holes in his socks.
Only very rarely do we choose entrants who find themselves out of their depth Dr Hartmut MayerOxford
Only very rarely do we choose entrants who find themselves out of their depth Dr Hartmut MayerOxford
Another male candidate was startled when his interviewer, who avoided eye contact and expected a female applicant, addressed him as "Jane".
Another male candidate was startled when his interviewer, who avoided eye contact and expected a female applicant, addressed him as "Jane".
In such situations, the best hope is a stiff upper lip, although applicants may secretly wonder whether they want to be taught by such unconventional types for three or four years.
In such situations, the best hope is a stiff upper lip, although applicants may secretly wonder whether they want to be taught by such unconventional types for three or four years.
Such quirkiness, however, is rare. "I've never asked an off-the-wall question in 30 years of interviewing," said one Oxford don. Tutors are free to choose their own questions, so long as they don't infringe equal opportunities.
Such quirkiness, however, is rare. "I've never asked an off-the-wall question in 30 years of interviewing," said one Oxford don. Tutors are free to choose their own questions, so long as they don't infringe equal opportunities.
They now focus on more predictable topics, particularly those listed by the candidates in their UCAS form. "We want to see that people are motivated and can respond to challenges," says Dr Hartmut Mayer, a politics tutor at St Peter's College, Oxford.
They now focus on more predictable topics, particularly those listed by the candidates in their UCAS form. "We want to see that people are motivated and can respond to challenges," says Dr Hartmut Mayer, a politics tutor at St Peter's College, Oxford.
Rapport
Rapport
Emily Corp, who studied medicine at New College, Oxford, spent half her interview discussing political history, an interest she had casually included in her personal statement.
Emily Corp, who studied medicine at New College, Oxford, spent half her interview discussing political history, an interest she had casually included in her personal statement.
For some humanities subjects, tutors give candidates a poem or passage to read a few minutes before the interview (a top tip: think structure, as well as content). This provides a way of comparing candidates using a common text.
For some humanities subjects, tutors give candidates a poem or passage to read a few minutes before the interview (a top tip: think structure, as well as content). This provides a way of comparing candidates using a common text.
Candidates also need to show they'll benefit from tutorial teaching, the vaunted centrepiece of an Oxbridge education. Whether candidates are asked about egg-shapes or the cognitive abilities of slugs, they should try to develop a rapport with their interviewers. Ultimately, tutors select people they want to teach.
Candidates also need to show they'll benefit from tutorial teaching, the vaunted centrepiece of an Oxbridge education. Whether candidates are asked about egg-shapes or the cognitive abilities of slugs, they should try to develop a rapport with their interviewers. Ultimately, tutors select people they want to teach.
The Oxford dreamContrary to the myth, interviewers try to relax students - not intimidate them. "Candidates are usually petrified," says Christopher Wells, a modern languages tutor at St Edmund Hall, Oxford. "To reduce this, we have a coffee meeting before the interview."
The Oxford dreamContrary to the myth, interviewers try to relax students - not intimidate them. "Candidates are usually petrified," says Christopher Wells, a modern languages tutor at St Edmund Hall, Oxford. "To reduce this, we have a coffee meeting before the interview."
For some candidates, no amount of reassurance will dispel the fear. One music candidate recalled seeing the girl before him emerge from the interview room in tears, causing him to wonder what vicious ogres lay ahead.
For some candidates, no amount of reassurance will dispel the fear. One music candidate recalled seeing the girl before him emerge from the interview room in tears, causing him to wonder what vicious ogres lay ahead.
The competition against other students is fierce and candidates need to differentiate themselves. "To be honest, they're competing against each other, not against the interviewers," says Mr Wells.
The competition against other students is fierce and candidates need to differentiate themselves. "To be honest, they're competing against each other, not against the interviewers," says Mr Wells.
Nearly all applicants have excellent A-level grades, so places are increasingly awarded for original answers in interviews. It's worth actively engaging with the questions (without being rude or confrontational), rather than tiptoeing around to avoid mistakes.
Nearly all applicants have excellent A-level grades, so places are increasingly awarded for original answers in interviews. It's worth actively engaging with the questions (without being rude or confrontational), rather than tiptoeing around to avoid mistakes.
The interview process is becoming serious business. A growing army of interview coaches offer advice to candidates, even developing databases about past questions and individual tutors' areas of interests.
The interview process is becoming serious business. A growing army of interview coaches offer advice to candidates, even developing databases about past questions and individual tutors' areas of interests.
Original
Original
Some companies offer private consultations (£250 for a home visit) and "interview preparation weekends" (£850 including food and accommodation) to Oxbridge applicants, as well as unlimited support in drafting personal statements.
Some companies offer private consultations (£250 for a home visit) and "interview preparation weekends" (£850 including food and accommodation) to Oxbridge applicants, as well as unlimited support in drafting personal statements.
Can money spent on such coaching effectively buy places? Dr Mayer is sceptical. "The coaching may eliminate the worst mistakes - for example, candidates claiming to have read books they haven't - but, to be successful, you need more than that."
Can money spent on such coaching effectively buy places? Dr Mayer is sceptical. "The coaching may eliminate the worst mistakes - for example, candidates claiming to have read books they haven't - but, to be successful, you need more than that."
The interview is Oxbridge's ultimate test in selecting the best students. Does it work? According to Dr Mayer, "only very rarely do we choose entrants who find themselves out of their depth".
The interview is Oxbridge's ultimate test in selecting the best students. Does it work? According to Dr Mayer, "only very rarely do we choose entrants who find themselves out of their depth".
Another don estimates he has selected the right candidates in about 80% of cases. This may reassure some applicants that there is method behind the myth. Whether or not slugs think, successful applicants must show that they do.
Another don estimates he has selected the right candidates in about 80% of cases. This may reassure some applicants that there is method behind the myth. Whether or not slugs think, successful applicants must show that they do.
Henry Mance, is a journalist and alumnus of Christ Church College, Oxford and Daniel Sokol, is a medical ethicist and alumnus of St Edmund Hall, Oxford.
Henry Mance is a journalist and alumnus of Christ Church College, Oxford and Daniel Sokol is a lecturer in ethics at Keele University and alumnus of St Edmund Hall, Oxford.
Add your comments on this story, using the form below.
Add your comments on this story, using the form below.
