Interview Preparation Weekend

On the Friday afternoon after registration, there will be a parents tea, with the opportunity to ask any questions about the weekend and the application process as a whole.

At the same time, applicants will attend presentations, including one from a former admissions tutor, our consultants and our Oxbridge graduates tutors.  These presentations will advise on what admissions tutors are looking for and how best to use your subject knowledge to demonstrate your academic potential.

Applicants will then have a benchmark interview with their mentor which is an opportunity to identify the areas on which individual applicants need to focus.

In the evening, there will be an informal dinner, and a chance for applicants to talk with Oxbridge graduates as well as to meet their subject-focused mentor group.

During the tutorials and workshops, in which applicants are divided into small subject-focused mentor groups, applicants will engage with their academic subject in a new way, developing essential skills applicants are required to demonstrate at interview: flexibility, creativity and independent lateral thinking.

Applicants will also receive a two-hour interactive interview skills workshop, which will work on communication skills and body language, and set this within the context of their subject interview.

The admissions tests sessions and subject surgeries (for those applicants not required to sit an admissions test) are an opportunity to work through sample test questions, and for applicants to ask any last minute questions or address any concerns about their chosen course.

Our Oxbridge Applications consultants will also be on hand throughout Saturday, to address any questions or concerns about the application process.

In the evening there will be a formal (and fun!) dinner iwith Oxbridge mentors and tutors.

On the Sunday, applicants will receive six challenging mock interviews. One with a former admissions tutor, a subject-specific panel interview, a general admissions interview adn three, subject-specific interviews, all with Oxbridge graduates. 

This is a chance for applicants to put Saturday’s tutorial work into practice. Talking about and around their chosen subject, and tackling academic questions, helps applicants gain confidence for the real interview.

Applicants will receive written and oral feedback at the end of each interview, to ensure they can monitor their own progress.

The Weekend will end with a Plenary session, in which applicants will work through a plan of action as to how to structure their preparation over the coming weeks,prior to interview.