Oxbrdige Specialist - Ros & Andrew
Both long-term, stalwart Oppidan mentors, Ros and Andrew will be spearheading our new offering for Oxbridge and Medical schools admissions.
English undergraduates and friends at Christ Church, Oxford, they have collectively received academic scholarships and postgraduate degrees from Oxford and UCL.
Ros graduated from her Master’s at Corpus Christi College with a high Distinction and first-class papers in every module. Andrew then returned to Oxford to undertake doctoral study in English, during which time he worked as a tutor and admissions interviewer at New College, Keble College and Christ Church. He has since been awarded his PhD by the university. Ros has successfully gained entry to study Medicine at UCL Medical School, achieving first-class results in Year 1; Andrew too will be joining the training programme for Medicine at Bart’s this coming Autumn.
As mentors, both Ros and Andrew have extensive Oxbridge entry experience, and hold a 100% success rate in their students gaining admission. Using their knowledge of how real interviews are undertaken, they will be offering preparatory services for ELAT, UCAS, personal statement and interview preparation, including fully-realistic mock interviews as a two-person panel (as is currently the practice of Oxford and Cambridge interviewers). This also extends to UK medical school entry, including BMAT and UKCAT support. They are eager to share their academic knowledge and insider information with keen prospective students at the top level, with their services specifically tailored to the needs of each applicant. This could include but is not limited to:
Advice on college choice;
Bespoke guidance on wider reading based on the applicant’s interest;
Exam practice and marking with specific feedback;
Unseen text technique;
Developing rapport with interviewers;
As many mini-mock interviews as the applicant would like;
Fully realistic mock interviews with detailed feedback.
They are also happy to be on-hand for advice and support over the phone, in person or via email for the applicant and their parents/carers.
Ros and Andrew know first-hand how demanding the Oxbridge application process can be, and with their years of experience, academic rigour and warm, approachable attitude are expertly placed to guide any anxious applicant through to achieve their very best.
Andrew & Ros: Top Tips for Oxford, Cambridge or Medical School.
01) Go beyond your A Level content
It is naturally important that you know your A Level content well, but interviewers will also want to see evidence of reading beyond the syllabus. Try also to read a range of different texts from outside the syllabus rather than focusing solely on one area.
02) Practice interview tasks
For English, you will usually be given an unseen text, often a poem, to analyse. Practise getting to grips with unfamiliar texts by reading a poem, or shorter section of prose or drama, every day. For medicine, practise different ethical scenarios and think about medical current affairs.
03) Learn to be assertive but flexible
An ability to defend and substantiate your argument is essential to performing well in the interview. However, interviewers will also want to see you revise your argument in the light of new evidence or a contrasting point of view. Practice adapting your views, and building on then, when given constructive criticism.